EASA AD No.: 2010-0117-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 1/3 

EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2010-0117-E 

Date: 16 June 2010 

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 helicopters 

TCDS Number: EASA.R.002 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Revision: None 

ATA 67 Rotors Flight Controls – Main Rotor Servocontrols End Fitting Ball 

Joints - Inspection / Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Eurocopter France) 

Applicability: AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1 and AS 332 L2 helicopters, all serial 

numbers, if equipped with main rotor servocontrols Manufacturer Part Number 

(MP/N) SC7203-1 or SC7221-1 with the Serial Numbers (S/N) listed in the 

following table 1 below and not marked with a letter "R" after the S/N: 

MP/N: SC7203-1 MP/N: SC7221-1 

S/N 633 to 643 inclusive S/N 1693 to 1723 inclusive

S/N 645 to 659 inclusive S/N 1726 to 1727 inclusive

S/N 664 to 665 inclusive 

Table 1

Note: 

Servocontrols with the letter “R” after the S/N have already been made compliant.

Reason: EUROCOPTER has been informed of non-compliant swaging of the end fitting 

ball joints on main rotor servocontrols. Two servocontrol production batches have 

been identified by the equipment manufacturer (GOODRICH). 

Investigations have revealed that the swaging load applied to the ball joints in 

these two batches was 1.3 metric tons, instead of the specified 13 metric tons, 

which could lead the ball joints to slip in service. 
EASA AD No.: 2010-0117-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 2/3 

The slipping of the ball joint of the servocontrol lower end fitting does not 

significantly affect the service life of this end fitting while the slipping of the ball 

joint of the servocontrol upper end fitting can lead to a significant reduction in the 

service life of this end fitting. This last condition, if not corrected, could likely lead 

to damage of the upper end fitting ball joints of the main rotor servocontrols and 

possibly resulting in failure of upper end fittings. 

For the reasons stated above, this AD requires an inspection of the upper end 

fitting ball joints of the main rotor servocontrols and the necessary corrective 

action (replacement), depending on findings. 

Effective Date: 18 June 2010. 

Required 

Action(s) and 

Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within 15 Flight Hours (FH) after the effective date of this AD, for each 

servocontrol concerned, measure the shifting value between the outer ring of 

the ball joint and the face of the upper end fitting in accordance with the 

instructions of paragraph 2.B.2. of Eurocopter AS 332 Alert Service Bulletin 

(ASB) No. 67.00.40. Accomplish the same inspection on the second face of 

the servocontrol upper end fitting. 

(2) If the shifting value measured, as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, is 

more (higher) than or equal to 1 mm (0.04 in.) and the servocontrol has 

accumulated 825 FH or more since new (Time Since New (TSN)), before 

next flight, replace the servocontrol with a serviceable one. 

(3) If the shifting value measured, as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, is 

more (higher) than or equal to 1 mm (0.04 in.) and the servocontrol has 

accumulated less that 825 FH since new, before the servocontrol 

accumulates 825 FH but without exceeding two years after the effective date 

of this AD, replace the servocontrol with a serviceable one. 

(4) If the shifting value measured, as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, is 

less (lower) than 1 mm (0.04 in.), accomplish the following actions: 

(4.1) At intervals not to exceed 300 FH, repeat the inspection required by 

paragraph (1) of this AD. 

(4.2) If the shifting value measured, as required by paragraph (4.1) of 

this AD, is more (higher) than or equal to 1 mm (0.04 in.), within 

525 FH, replace the servocontrol with a serviceable one. 

(4.3) Within two years after the effective date of this AD, replace all 

servocontrols with serviceable ones or accomplish instructions of 

GOODRICH Service Bulletin No. SC7203-67-31-02 (servocontrols 

MP/N SC7203-1) or No. SC7221-67-39-02 (servocontrols MP/N 

SC7221-1), as applicable, on each servocontrol to restore 

conformity. 

Ref. Publications: Eurocopter AS 332 Alert Service Bulletin No. 67.00.40 dated 15 June 2010. 

GOODRICH Service Bulletin No. SC7203-67-31-02 dated 11May 2010. 

GOODRICH Service Bulletin No. SC7221-67-39-02 dated 11May 2010. 

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 
EASA AD No.: 2010-0117-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 3/3 

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 (4) 12 85 97 97, facsimile +33 (4) 42 85 99 66 

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