EASA AD No.: 2009-0030 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/4 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2009-0030 

Date: 12 February 2009 

Note: This 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 Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that Airworthiness Directive 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 350 helicopters 

TCDS Number : EASA.R.008 

Foreign AD : Not Applicable 

Supersedure: This AD supersedes EASA AD 2008-0121 dated 27 June 2008 

ATA 55 Stabilizers – Upper and Lower Fin Attachment Fitting - 

Inspection / Modification / Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): EUROCOPTER (formerly EUROCOPTER FRANCE, AEROSPATIALE). 

Applicability: AS 350 B, B1, B2, B3, BA, BB and D helicopters, all serial numbers if fitted with the 

following upper and lower fins on which modification (MOD) 073330 has not been 

embodied: 

Upper fin assembly part number (P/N): 

350A14-0020-00XX 350A14-0020-01XX 

350A14-0020-02XX 350A14-0020-03XX 

350A14-0020-08XX 350A14-0020-09XX 

350A14-0020-10XX 350A14-0020-17XX 

350A14-0020-18XX 350A14-0020-19XX 

350A64-1144-00XX 

Lower fin assembly P/N: 

350A14-0021-00XX 350A14-0021-01XX 

350A14-0021-02XX 350A14-0021-03XX 

350A14-0021-04XX 
EASA AD No.: 2009-0030 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/4 

Reason: Some cracks have been discovered in the spar of the upper fin on AS 355 N 

helicopters. 

The growth of a crack in a fin attachment spar, if not corrected, may lead to the 

failure of the spar and the loss of the fin. 

Due to the fin design similarity between AS 350 and AS 355 helicopters, the same 

corrective action is applicable to both types. 

EASA AD 2008-0121 rendered mandatory MOD 073330 introduced by 

EUROCOPTER AS 350 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 55.00.16, whose purpose 

was: 

- to reduce the risk of forced fitting by increasing the diameter of the holes for the 

bolts on the lower and upper fin attachment fittings on the tail boom, and 

- to improve the fatigue strength of upper and lower fin attachment by replacing 

bolts and washers currently installed with special bolts and special washers. 

Thereafter, EUROCOPTER issued Revision 1 of ASB No. 55.00.16 to add new 

upper and lower fin assembly part numbers in the applicability. 

In addition, EASA AD 2008-0121, which superseded EASA AD 2006-0060-E, 

omitted to retain the repetitive checks required by EASA AD 2006-0060-E. 

For the reasons described above, this AD retains the requirements of EASA AD 

2008-0121, which is superseded, and adds new upper and lower fin assembly part 

numbers in the applicability as well as repetitive checks for some AS 350 B3 helicopters 

until the accomplishment of MOD 073330. 

Effective Date: 26 February 2009 

Required action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

1. For AS 350 B, B1, B2, BA, BB and D helicopters. 

No later than 31 March 2009, remove the fins, modify the lower and upper fittings 

on tail boom by increasing the diameter of the holes for the bolts and replace 

bolts P/N 22126BV060032L and washers P/N 23112AG060LE with special bolts 

P/N 350A23-4016-20 and special washers P/N 350A23- 4017-22 in accordance 

with EUROCOPTER AS 350 ASB No. 55.00.16. Revision 1 (MOD 073330). 

2. For AS 350 B3 helicopters equipped with the upper fin pre MOD 073148: 

2.1 For helicopters with upper and lower fins pre MOD 073288: 

2.1.1 For helicopters which have accumulated less than 110 flight hours (FH) 

after 07 March 2006, the effective date of EASA AD 2006-0060-E: 

Within the next 110 flight hours (FH) after 07 March 2006, the effective 

date of EASA AD 2006-0060-E, replace upper and lower fin attachment 

screws in accordance with paragraph (§) 2.B.1 and § 2.B.2 of the 

ASB 55.00.13 Revision 2 (MOD 073288). 

2.1.2 For helicopters which have accumulated more than 110 FH after 

07 March 2006, the effective date of EASA AD 2006-0060-E: 

Within 15 FH after the effective date of this AD, replace upper and lower 

fin attachment screws in accordance with § 2.B.1 and § 2.B.2 of the 

ASB 55.00.13 Revision 2 (MOD 073288). 

2.1.3 At intervals not exceeding 110 FH check the tightening torque of the 

upper fin attachment screws and check the upper fin reinforcement

splice for cracks and loosened rivets in compliance with the instructions

specified in § 2.B.3 of EUROCOPTER AS 350 ASB 55.00.13 Revision 2. 

2.1.4 In case of cracks, loosened rivets in the reinforcement splice or if the 

tightening torque of one or both of the attachment screws is less than 

80% of the minimum torque value, before further flight, apply the 
EASA AD No.: 2009-0030 

EASA Form 110 Page 3/4 

associated corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of §

2.B.3.a.1, 2.B.3.a.2. or 2.B.3.a.3. (as applicable), of EUROCOPTER 

AS 350 ASB 55.00.13 Revision 2. 

2.2 For helicopters with upper and lower fins post MOD 073288: 

2.2.1 For helicopters which have accumulated less than 110 FH since the 

latest check performed in accordance with § 2.B.3 of EUROCOPTER 

AS 350 ASB 55.00.13 (at Revision 0, 1, or 2): 

Within 110 FH after the latest check performed in accordance with 

§ 2.B.3 of EUROCOPTER AS 350 ASB 55.00.13 (at Revision 0, 1, or 2), 

check the tightening torque of the upper fin attachment screws and 

check the upper fin reinforcement splice for cracks and loosened rivets in 

compliance with the instructions specified in § 2.B.3 of EUROCOPTER 

AS 350 ASB 55.00.13 Revision 2. 

Thereafter repeat these checks at intervals not exceeding 110 FH. 

2.2.2 For helicopters which have accumulated more than 110 FH since the 

latest check performed in accordance with § 2.B.3 of EUROCOPTER 

AS 350 ASB 55.00.13 (at Revision 0, 1, or 2): 

Within 15 FH after the effective date of this AD, check the tightening 

torque of the upper fin attachment screws and check the upper fin 

reinforcement splice for cracks and loosened rivets in compliance with 

the instructions specified in § 2.B.3 of EUROCOPTER AS 350 

ASB 55.00.13 Revision 2. 

Thereafter repeat these checks at intervals not exceeding 110 FH. 

2.2.3 In case of cracks, loosened rivets in the reinforcement splice or if the 

tightening torque of one or both of the attachment screws is less than 

80% of the minimum torque value, before further flight apply the 

associated corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of §

2.B.3.a.1, 2.B.3.a.2. or 2.B.3.a.3. (as applicable), of EUROCOPTER 

AS 350 ASB 55.00.13 Revision 2. 

3. For all AS 350 B3 helicopters: 

 No later than 31 March 2009, remove the fins, modify the lower and upper fittings 

on tail boom by increasing the diameter of the holes for the bolts and replace 

bolts P/N 22126BV060032L and washers P/N 23112AG060LE with special bolts 

P/N 350A23-4016-20 and special washers P/N 350A23- 4017-22 in accordance 

with EUROCOPTER AS 350 ASB No. 55.00.16. Revision 1 (MOD 073330) 

Compliance with the requirements of § 3. of this AD is considered as: 

- acceptable to comply with paragraphs 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 of this AD, 

- terminating action for the repetitive checks required by paragraphs 2.1.3, 

2.2.1, and 2.2.2 of this AD. 

4. After 31 March 2009, no person shall install on any helicopter spare fins with part 

numbers as listed in the Applicability of this AD, unless MOD 073330 has been 

accomplished. 

Ref. Publications: EUROCOPTER AS 350 Alert Service Bulletin No. 55.00.13 Revision 2 

dated 28 February 2008; 

EUROCOPTER AS 350 Alert Service Bulletin No. 55.00.16 Revision 1 

dated 05 January 2009. 

The use of later approved revisions of these documents 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. 
EASA AD No.: 2009-0030 

EASA Form 110 Page 4/4 

2. The required actions and the risk allowance have granted the issuance of a 

Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the public consultation 

process after publication. 

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. 

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

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