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# EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTH INESS DIRECTIVE

EAD No.: 2006-0321- E



### Date: 18 October 2006

No person may operate an aircraft to which an Airworthi ness Directive applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that Airworthiness Directive unless otherwi se agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry.



### Type Approval Holder’s Name :

EUROCOPTER 

### Type/Model designation(s) :

SA 365 N, AS 365 N, SA 366 and SA 365C Helicopters

TCDS Number: France DGAC 159

Foreign AD: Not applicable.

Supersedes: EASA AD No. 2006-0245



### ATA 05, 62,

65 for SA 365 C Rotor(s) – Starflex Star Arm Ends – Check/Replacement

Manufacturer(s): EUROCOPTER (formerly EUROCO PTER FRANCE – AEROSPATIALE).

Applicability: All Model SA 365 N, SA 365 N1, AS 365 N2, AS 365 N3, SA 366 G1, SA 365 C, SA 365 C1, SA 365 C2 and SA 365 C3 helicopters, all serial numbers, equipped with main rotor hub (MRH) Starflex stars (all part numbers).

Reason: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issu ed following three cases of deterioration of

a Starflex star arm end. In two of t hese cases, the deterioration caused high amplitude vibrations in flight, compelling the pilot to carry out a precautionary landing. In the event of failure of t he Starflex star arm end, high-amplitude vibrations could make it difficult to control the helicopter.

This AD covers Revision 1 of the E UROCOPTER Alert Service Bulletins (ASB) referenced below, corresponding to the helicopter version.

This AD supersedes EASA AD No. 2006-024 5 and introduces a ch eck for absence of delamination on the star arm end, on the horizontal center plane, flush with the

bush.

Effective Date: 18 October 2006

Compliance: The following measures are mandatory as from September 01, 2006, the effective

date of EASA AD No. 2006-0245:

1. No later than within 10 flying hours, then at intervals not exceeding 10 flying hours, visually check that the bonding of the bushes has not failed and that the arm ends are not distorted, in comp liance with paragraph 2.B.1.a. of the referenced EUROCOPTER ASB, correspo nding to the helicopter version.

### 2/2 The following measures are rendered mandator y from the effective date of this AD:

2. No later than within 10 flying hours, then at intervals not exceeding 10 flying hours, on each Starflex star arm and on both sides (leading edge and trailing edge), visually check that there is no del amination in the composite material, in the area of the horizontal center plane, flush with the bush, in compliance with the instructions specified in par agraph 2.B.1.b. of the referenced EUROCOPTER ASB, corresponding to the helicopter version.

3. Interpretation of the results: If the bonding of a bush has failed and/or if a star arm end is distorted and/or if there is delamination on the star arm end, remove and replace the Starflex star before resuming flights.

Ref. Publications: EUROCOPTER AS 365 N ASB No. 05.00.51 Revision 1, SA 366 ASB No. 05.35 Revision 1 or SA 365 C ASB No. 05.28 Revision 1, as applicable, or any subsequent approved revisions.

Remarks: 1. If request ed and appropriately substantiat ed 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 pub lication and notification.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be addressed to the AD Focal Point, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu

.

4. For any questions concerning the techni cal 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