EASA AD No: 2009-0261-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 1/2 

 

EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2009-0261-E 

Date: 18 December 2009 

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 : 

TURBOMECA 

Type/Model designation(s) : 

TURMO IV turboshaft engines 

TCDS Number: DGAC France M8 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Supersedure: None 

ATA 72 Intermediate Bearing Return Flexible Pipe Unions 

Inspection / Replacement. 

Manufacturer(s): TURBOMECA 

Applicability: All TURMO IV A and IV C turboshaft engines that incorporate modification 

TU 233 [engines fitted with an intermediate bearing return flexible pipe 

Part Number (P/N) 9 560 17 606 0]. 

These engines are known to be installed on, but are not limited to, 

EUROCOPTER SA 330 F, G and J PUMA helicopters. 

Reason: During a maintenance inspection before the first flight of the day, an oil 

leak was found on an engine deck. A circumferential crack on the 

intermediate bearing return flexible pipe union (pipe P/N 9 560 17 606 0) 

was identified as the origin of the leak. A similar oil pipe union crack was 

then reported at the same location on another engine, on the same pipe 

part number. 

This pipe part number was approved as modification TU 233 in 2008. 

Although such cracks have been detected and did not lead to an inservice event, the possibility exists that some additional cracks occur and 

may not be detected before the potential complete rupture of the union. 

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is published to mandate repetitive 

inspections given in Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) A249 

72 0809 in order to detect incipient cracks of the flexible pipe unions. 

Effective Date: 20 December 2009 
EASA AD No: 2009-0261-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 2/2 

 

Required action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

(1) Before next flight after the effective date of this AD and thereafter daily 

after the last flight of the day until further notice, inspect for absence of 

oil leak or seepage both unions of the intermediate bearing return 

flexible pipes P/N 9 560 17 606 0 as instructed in paragraph 2 of 

TURBOMECA MSB A249 72 0809 Version A. Check also the engine 

deck for absence of oil leaks. 

(1.1) If any oil leak or seepage is found, before further flight 

disassemble the pipe and inspect unions: 

 (1.1.1) If no crack is found, re-install the pipe. 

(1.1.2) If any crack is found, remove the pipe from service and 

replace it. 

Ref. Publications: TURBOMECA Mandatory Service Bulletin A249 72 0809 Version A, 

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

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

TURBOMECA TURMO IV Maintenance Manual 279 02 932 

TURBOMECA TURMO III C4/IV Overhaul Manual 249 92 934 

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 questions concerning the technical content of the 

requirements in this AD, please contact: 

Operator Support & Sales TURMO - TURBOMECA 40220 TARNOS – 

FRANCE 

Phone: +33 (0)5 59 74 40 28 Fax: +33 (0)5 59 74 45 16 or refer to your 

nearest TURBOMECA field representative on 

http://www.turbomeca-support.com.