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EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

EAD No: 2007- 0139-E 

[Corrected: 23 May 2007] 

Date: 15 May 2007 

No person may operate an aircraft to which an Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the 

requirements of that Airworthiness Directive unless otherwise agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry.

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

EUROCOPTER

Type/Model designation(s) : 

AS 350 and AS 355 

TCDS Numbers: EASA.R.008 and EASA.R.146 

Foreign AD: Not applicable. 

Supersedure: .Not applicable. 

ATA 53 Fuselage - Center cross-member under the cabin floor - 

Inspection / Modification 

Manufacturer(s): EUROCOPTER (Formerly EUROCOPTER-FRANCE – AEROSPATIALE) 

Applicability: 

EUROCOPTER AS350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3 and D 

and 

EUROCOPTER AS355 E, F, F1, F2 and N

helicopters, all serial numbers delivered before January 1st, 2007 and 

equipped with a collective-to-yaw control coupling with or without an 

Automatic Flight Control System. 

Reason: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following one report of a crack 

discovered in the area of the center cross-member at station X 2325, at the 

attachment point of the yaw channel ball-type control sheath stop of an AS 

355 N helicopter fitted with the collective-to-yaw control coupling. 

Investigations revealed that the helicopter was not equipped with the 

structure doublers which are combined with the collective-to-yaw control 

coupling installation. 

Repetitive overloads on the non-modified cross-member cause it to crack. 

This crack can reduce the yaw control travel, and thus diminish the pilot’s 

ability to control yawing of the helicopter. 

This AD mandates to verify the proper installation of the cross-member at 

station X 2165 and of the two doublers at stations X 2325 and Y 269 and if 

necessary, their installation provided the center cross-member at station X 

2325 is free of cracks. 

Correction of publication 

This AD is republished to correct a typographical error in a TCDS reference.
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Effective Date: 18 May 2007 

Compliance: 

1. Within the next 10 Flight Hours (FH) or 1 month after the effective date of 

this AD, whichever occurs first, confirm installation of the cross-member 

at station X 2165 and of the doublers at stations X 2325 and Y 269 as 

detailed in the accomplishment instructions paragraph of the relevant 

Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 53.00.37 (AS 350) or ASB No. 53.00.23 

(AS 355). 

2. If the cross-member and the doublers are installed, no further action is 

required. 

3 If the cross-member and/or the doublers are not installed, check for 

cracks, by a visual or a dye penetrant inspection, the center crossmember at station X 2325, in the area around the attachment point of the 

tail rotor directional ball-type control as detailed in the accomplishment 

instructions paragraph of the relevant ASB No. 53.00.37 (AS 350) or 

ASB No. 53.00.23 (AS 355). 

3.1. If no crack is found: 

3.1.1. Prior to next flight, check the tail rotor control rigging 

per the accomplishment instructions paragraph of the relevant 

ASB No. 53.00.37 (AS 350) or ASB No. 53.00.23 (AS 355). 

3.1.2. Repeat thereafter at intervals not to exceed 55 FH, 

inspections required by paragraph 3. of this AD, until 

completion of the paragraph 3.1.3 of this AD. 

3.1.3. Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 

install the cross-member at station X 2165 and of the doublers 

at stations X 2325 and Y 269, in accordance with the 

appendix paragraph of the relevant ASB No. 53.00.37 (AS 

350) or ASB No. 53.00.23 (AS 355). 

3.2. If any crack is found, Ground the rotorcraft. 

Ref. Publications: 

EUROCOPTER AS 350 ASB No. 53.00.37 initial issue. 

EUROCOPTER AS 355 ASB No. 53.00.23 initial issue 

or any later approved revision 

Remarks:

1. If requested and appropriately substantiated the responsible EASA 

manager for the related product has the authority to accept Alternative 

Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 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 Airworthiness Directive should be referred 

to the AD Focal Point - 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: 

EUROCOPTER (STDI)- Aéroport de Marseille Provence, 

13725 Marignane Cedex - France 

Telephone: 33 (0 442 859 797; Fascimile: 33 (0) 442 859 966; 

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