# ASB No. EC225-05A031

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Revision 1 2013-06-05 This document is available on the internet: www.eurocopter.com/techpub 

### Civil version(s): LP



# ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN

SUBJECT: TIME LIMITS - MAINTENANCE CHECKS

Check of tail rotor control turnbuckle
ATA: 67 Rotor Flight Controls



### Revision No. Date of issue

Revision 0 2013-03-14

Revision 1 2013-06-05



### Summary:

The purpose of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN is to carry out a visual check for absence of corrosion or crack(s)

on the tail rotor control turnbuckles.



### Reason for last Revision:

The purpose of Revision 1 of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN is to specify that the replacement of the turnbuckle related to external corrosion of less than or equal to 0. 3 mm is carried out within 6 months following the last compliance with paragraph 3.B.2.c of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN.



### Compliance:

Compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN is mandatory. For the attention of

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### 1. PLANNING INFORMATION

1.A. EFFECTIVITY

1.A.1. Helicopters/installed equipment

All EC225 helicopters equipped with turnbuckles P/N 330A27-5031-20.

1.A.2. Non-installed equipment

On turnbuckles P/N 330A27-5031-20.



### 1.B. ASSOCIATED REQUIREMENTS

Not applicable.



### 1.C. REASON

Revision 0: EUROCOPTER has been informed of the rupture of one of the tail rotor control turnbuckles due to corrosion damage. The damage was discovered during a flight c ontrol check after a MGB replacement. Investigation revealed that missing Mastinox sealant between the tur nbuckle tappings and end-fittings led to formation of galvanic corrosion.

In case of corrosion, tail rotor control turnbuckles may break and lead to loss of tail rotor control on the helicopter. In order to prevent a similar occurrence, EUROCOPTER makes it mandatory to check all the tail

rotor control turnbuckles to make sure there is no corrosion or crack.

In addition, EUROCOPTER makes the visual check on t he turnbuckles every 12 months mandatory.

Revision 1: The purpose of Revision 1 of this ALERT SERVICE BU LLETIN is to specify that the replacement of the

turnbuckle related to external corrosion of less t han or equal to 0.3 mm is carried out within 6 months following the last compliance with paragraph 3.B.2.c of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN.

Revision 1 of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN does not affect compliance with Revision 0.



### 1.D. DESCRIPTION

This ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN consists of:

- A visual check on all tail rotor co ntrol turnbuckles to make sure there is no corrosion or crack.

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### 1.E. COMPLIANCE

1.E.1. Compliance at the works

Helicopters/installed equipment:

Not applicable.

Non-installed equipment:

Not applicable.

1.E.2. Compliance in service

Helicopters/installed equipment:

1) For helicopters delivered before 01/03/2013:

Comply with paragraphs 3.A., 3.B.1. and 3.B.2.a. of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN, within 110 flying hours or no later than within 3 months from receipt of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Revision 0, issued on the date mentioned in the page footer.

Following compliance with paragraph 3.B.2.a., interpret the results for each of the two turnbuckles: - If there are cracks or corrosion, replace the turnbuckle as per paragraph 3.B.2.d. before resuming flights

. - If there are no cracks and no corrosion, comply with paragraph 3.B.2.b.1.

Following compliance with paragraph 3.B.2.b.1., interpret the results: - If there are cracks, replace the tu rnbuckle as per paragraph 3.B.2.d. before resuming flights

. - If there are no cracks and no corrosion, reinst all the turnbuckle as per paragraph 3.B.3. before resuming flights.

- If there are no cracks but corrosion is found, comply with paragraph 3.B.2.b.2.

Following compliance with paragraph 3.B.2.b.2., interpret the results: - If there is corrosion to a depth of over 0.3 mm. replace the turnbuckle as per paragraph 3.B.2.d. before resuming flights

. - If there is corrosion to a depth less than, or equal to 0.3 mm: . Carry out corrosion treatment as per paragraph 3.B.2.c. . Reinstall the turnbuckle as per paragraph 3.B.3. before resuming flights

. . Replace the turnbuckle as per paragraph 3.B.2.d. within 6 months following the last compliance with

paragraph 3.B.2.c. of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN.



### NOTE

A flow chart describing compliance with paragraph 3. and used to interpret the results is also available in Appendix 1.

Then,

Comply with paragraph 3. at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

2) For helicopters delivered on or after 01/03/2013:

Comply with paragraph 3. at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

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- For new tunbuckles or turnbuckles which hav e never been installed, no action is required.

- For turnbuckles which have already been installed, comply with paragraphs 3.A. and 3.B.2.a. before

installation or no later than within 12 months from receipt of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Revision 0, issued on the date mentioned in the page footer.

Then, interpret the results in the same manner as for installed equipment.



### 1.F. APPROVAL

Approval of modifications:

Not applicable.

Approval of this document:

The technical information contained in this AL ERT SERVICE BULLETIN Revision 0 was approved on March 14, 2013 under the autho rity of EASA Design Organization Appr oval No. 21J.056 fo r helicopters of civil versions subject to an Airworthiness Certificate.

The technical information contained in this AL ERT SERVICE BULLETIN Revision 0 was approved on March 14, 2013 under the prerogatives of the re cognition of design capability FRA21J-002-DGA for French Government helicopters.

The technical information contained in this AL ERT SERVICE BULLETIN Revision 1 was approved on June 05, 2013 under th e authority of EASA Design Organization Appr oval No. 21J.056 fo r helicopters of civil versions subject to an Airworthiness Certificate.

The technical information contained in this AL ERT SERVICE BULLETIN Revision 1 was approved on June 05, 2013 under the prerogatives of the recogn ition of design capability FRA21J-002-DGA for French Government helicopters.



### 1.G. MANPOWER

Qualification: For compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN:

1 Mechanical Technician.

Time for the operations:

4 hours.

Estimated helicopter grounding time:

4 hours.



### 1.H. WEIGHT AND BALANCE

Not applicable.



### 1.I. EFFECT ON ELECTRICAL LOADS

Not applicable.

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### 1.J. SOFTWARE MODIFICATION EMBODIMENT RECORD

Not applicable.



### 1.K. REFERENCES

The following documents are required for compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN:

Aircraft Maintenance Manual (MMA):

67-00-00-611 General Instructions

67-22-00-061 Control Cables Removal - Installation

Standard Practices Manual (MTC): 20.02.06.408 Safetying Turnbuckles

20.04.03.401 General Method for Re conditioning Corroded Metal Surfaces 20.04.04.403 Touch-up of protective treatment with Alodine 1200

20.04.05.402 Use of EPOXY primer P05 - P20 and P50



### 1.L. DOCUMENTS AFFECTED

CAUTION

THE USER OF THIS ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN

MUST ENSURE THAT ALL MAINTENANCE

DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR THE

MAINTENANCE OF THIS INSTALLATION IS AVAILABLE. OTHERWISE, IT IS THE

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER TO OBTAIN

DOCUMENTS FROM THEIR USUAL EUROCOPTER

CONTACT.

Documents to be updated:

The technical information given in this ALERT SER VICE BULLETIN will be integrated into the following

manuals: MMA/MET.

Documents already updated:

Not applicable.



### 1.M. INTERCHANGEABILITY OR MIXABILITY OF PARTS

Not applicable.

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### 2. MATERIAL INFORMATION

2.A. MATERIAL: PRICE - AVAILABILITY - PROCUREMENT

For any information concerning price of kits and/or components, contact the Customer Relations and Sales Department of the EUROCOPTER network.

EUROCOPTER Etablissement de Marignane Direction Ventes et Relations Client (ECR)

13725 MARIGNANE CEDEX

FRANCE



### NOTE 1

On the purchase order, please always specify the mode of transport, the destination and t he serial numbers of the aircraft

to be modified.



### NOTE 2

For ALERT SERVICE BULLETINS, order by:

Telex: HELICOP 410 969F Fax: +33 (0)4.42.85.99.96.



### 2.B. INFORMATION CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT

Not applicable.



### 2.C. MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR EACH HELICOPTER/COMPONENT

Components to be ordered for one helicopter or one assembly:

Key Word Qty New

P/N Item Former

P/N → Instruction

Turnbuckle 2* 330A27-5031-20 1

* Depending on the condition as specified in paragraph 3.B with a maximum quantity of 2 per helicopter.

Material to be ordered separately:

Key Word Qty New

P/N Item Former

P/N → Instruction

Locking Pin 4 651-91-4D54 2 Task 67-22-00-061

Lock Washer 4 330A27-5030-20 3 Task 67-22-00-061

Products to be ordered separately:

Key Word Qty New

P/N Item Former

P/N → Instruction

MASTINOX sealant A/R 6856 K 4



### 2.D. MATERIAL TO BE RETURNED

Not applicable.

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### 3. ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS

3.A. GENERAL

Comply with the General Instructions as per MMA Task 67-00-00-611.



### 3.B. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE

3.B.1. Preliminary steps

Remove the 2 tail rotor control turnbuckles (a) as per Sub-Task 67-22-00-031-001 of MMA Task 67-22-00-061 (Figure 1).

3.B.2. Procedure (Figure 1)

3.B.2.a. Visual check for corrosion or crack(s) on tappings and middle hol e (internal surface of turnbuckles)

- Using an inspection light source, perform a visual check of the tappings and middle hole of the turnbuckles (a) for absence of corrosion or crack(s): Areas affected by corrosion may be dirty or show bulges and are covered with powdery deposit or whitish or reddish pits. - Interpret the results as per paragraph 1.E.2.

3.B.2.b. External surface check

3.B.2.b.1. Visual check for corrosio n or crack(s) on external surface

- Using an inspection light source, perform a visual chec k of the external surface of the turnbuckles (a) for absence of corrosion or crack(s): Areas affected by corrosion may be dirty or show bul ges, the paint has usually faded and is covered with powdery deposit or whitish or reddish pits. - Interpret the results as per paragraph 1.E.2.

3.B.2.b.2. Measurement of the corrosion depth

- For each turnbuckle, if there is corrosion:

. Sand the corroded surface until the corrosion is el iminated and apply the procedure defined in Work

Card 20.04.03.401 (MTC) General method for reconditioning corroded metal surfaces. . Gauge the damaged depth. - Interpret the results as per paragraph 1.E.2.

3.B.2.c. Corrosion treatment on external surface

- Perform corrosion treatment as per Work Card:

20.04.03.401 General Method for Re conditioning Corroded Metal Surfaces 20.04.04.403 Touch-up of protective treatment with Alodine 1200

20.04.05.402 Use of EPOXY primer P05 - P20 and P50

3.B.2.d. Replacement of turnbuckle

- Discard the damaged turnbuckle(s) (a). - Install the new turnbuckle(s) (1) as per Final steps paragraph 3.B.3.

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- Visually check the general surface condition of the turnbuckle befor e installing it (scratches or damage to the paint) and, if necessary, touc h up as per paragraph 3.B.2.c.



### CAUTION

MAKE SURE END-FITTINGS AND INTERIOR OF

THE TURNBUCKLE ARE COATED WITH MASTINOX SEALANT (4) BEFORE INSTALLATION

OF THE TURNBUCKLE.

- Install the tail rotor control turnbuckles (a) or (1) as per Sub-Task 67-22-00-431-001 of MMA Task 67-22-00-061 (Figure 1). - Safety the turnbuckles as per MTC Work Card 20.02.06.408.



### 3.C. IDENTIFICATION

Identification of this document:

Record compliance with this document and t he Revision number in the helicopter documents.



### 3.D. OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

Operating instructions:

Not applicable.

Maintenance instructions:

EUROCOPTER makes compliance with paragraph 3. of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN mandatory, at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

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(4)

(2) (4)

(b) (b)

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### 4. APPENDIX

Presence of corrosion or crack(s) on the turnbuckle tappings or middle

holes?

Check for absence of corrosion or crack(s) on the external surface of the

turnbuckles: Paragraph 3.B.2.b.1. Replace the turnbuckle before resuming flights: Paragraph 3.B.2.d.

Check the depth of

corrosion: Paragraph 3.B.2.b.2.

Depth

> 0.3 mm ?

Reinstall the

turnbuckle:

Para g ra p h 3.B.3.

Resume flights. - Carry out corrosion treatment:

Paragraph 3.B.2.c. - Reinstall the turnbuckle: Paragraph 3.B.3. - Replace the turnbuckle within 6 months YES NO

NO

NO YES

YES Check for absence of corrosion or crack(s) on the turnbuckle tappings and middle holes: Paragraph 3.B.2.a.

Presence of crack(s) on the

external surface of the

turnbuckles?

Periodic check at intervals not exceeding 12 months: Comply with Paragraph 3. Presence of corrosion on the

external surface of the

turnbuckles? YES NO