EASA AD No.: 2008-0172-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 1/2 

EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2008-0172-E 

Date: 09 September 2008 

Note: This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with 

Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the 

European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that Regulation 

This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 

2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

EUROCOPTER 

Type/Model designation(s) : 

AS 332 C, C1, L, L1 helicopters 

TCDS Number : EASA.R.002 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 62 Main Rotor – Main Rotor Head – Check / Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Eurocopter-France, Aerospatiale) 

Applicability: 

Eurocopter AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L and AS 332 L1 helicopters, if a main 

rotor head (MRH) Part Number (P/N) 332A31-0001-05 or P/N 332A31-0001-06 is 

installed, having serial number (s/n) M172, M216, M261, M308, M547, M677, 

M811 or M936, and having logged less than 275 flight hours since its last 

overhaul or repair. 

Note: The additional s/n MRH units identified in Eurocopter Alert service Bulletin 

(ASB) AS 332 N° 62.00.73 have already been checked as required by this AD. 

Reason: 

Eurocopter has recently received a report of deterioration of the swash-plate 

assembly upper bearing on a MRH, installed on an AS 332 L1 helicopter, after 

having logged only 72 flight hours since last overhaul. The occurrence report 

states an onset of vibrations which compelled the pilot to land as soon as 

practicable. These vibrations were found to be due to premature deterioration of 

the upper bearing of the swash-plates. The degradation of this bearing generates 

a load increase on the scissors links. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to 

the failure of the scissors links and consequently to the control loss of the 

helicopter. 

Eurocopter is currently investigating the reason for this event. However, initial 

information has enabled Eurocopter to identify a number of MRH units that may 

be prone to this type of event. 

For the reasons described above, pending the results of the investigation, this 

new EASA AD requires a one-time check of the swash-plate assembly of the 

affected MRH serial numbers and corrective actions, depending on findings. 

Effective Date: 09 September 2008 
EASA AD No.: 2008-0172-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 2/2 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Not later than during the next last flight of the day (ALF) inspection after the 

effective date of this AD, accomplish the checks and corrective actions on the 

MRH Swash-plate and bearings in accordance with the instructions of 

paragraph 2.B of Eurocopter AS 332 ASB 62.00.73. 

(2) When the results of these checks exceed the criteria as specified in 

paragraph 2.B of Eurocopter AS 332 ASB 62.00.73, before next flight, 

replace the MRH with a serviceable unit. 

(3) After the effective date of this AD, no person shall install a main rotor head 

with P/N 332A31-0001-05 or P/N 332A31-0001-06, having s/n M172, M216, 

M261, M308, M547, M677, M811 or M936 on any helicopter, unless the MRH 

has been checked and corrected, as necessary, in accordance with the 

instructions of paragraph 2.B of Eurocopter AS 332 ASB 62.00.73. 

Ref. Publications: 

EUROCOPTER Alert service Bulletin AS 332 N° 62.00.73 

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for compliance 

with the requirements of this AD. 

Remarks :

1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative 

Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. The safety assessment has requested not to implement the full consultation 

process and an immediate publication and notification. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness 

Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification Directorate, 

EASA; E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this 

AD, please contact: 

EUROCOPTER (STDI), Aéroport de Marseille Provence, 

13725 Marignane Cedex, France 

Telephone: +33 (0) 4 42 85 97 97, Fax +33 (0) 4 42 85 99 66 

E-mail Directive.technical-support@eurocopter.com