EASA AD No.: 2010-0026-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 1/2 

EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2010-0026-E 

Date: 19 February 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 EAD 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): 

EC 120 B Helicopters 

TCDS Number: DGAC 189 

Foreign AD: Not Applicable 

Supersedure: None 

ATA 62 Main Rotor Head- Rotor Hub Inspection 

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale) 

Applicability: 

Eurocopter helicopter models EC 120 B all serial numbers, if equipped with Main 

Rotor Head with the following Hub part numbers: 

C622A1002103, C622A1002104, C622A1002105 

Reason: 

Eurocopter has been informed that an EC 120 B helicopter has performed an 

emergency landing due to a set of amplitude vibrations originating from the main 

rotor. 

As a result of the investigation, it was determined that the Main Rotor Head 

(MRH) hub had failed in the attachment area of one of the three drag damper 

fittings. 

Due to the reasons described above, this Emergency AD requires a repetitive 

visual inspection for detecting eventual cracks to preclude any risk of MRH hub 

failure. 

Effective Date: 21 February 2010 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance Required as indicated, unless already accomplished: 
EASA AD No.: 2010-0026-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 2/2 

Time(s): (1) Within the next 15 flight hours after the effective date of this AD and 

thereafter, at intervals not exceeding 15 flight hours, perform a visual 

inspection to detect cracks in the inspection areas of the rotor hub in 

accordance with the instructions of paragraph 2.B.2 of Emergency Alert 

Service Bulletin Eurocopter EC 120 05A012 - Revision 1 - (EASB). 

(2) If no crack is found, re-install the dome fairing if it was removed previously 

and resume flight in accordance with the instructions of § 2.B.2, of 

Eurocopter EASB. 

(3) If one or more cracks are found, before next flight, contact Eurocopter as 

described in the NOTE 1 of paragraph 2.A of Eurocopter EASB, and replace 

the affected rotor hub with a new rotor hub in accordance with § 2.B.2 of 

Eurocopter EASB. 

(4) If during inspection accomplished in accordance with § (1) of this AD local 

deterioration is found, remove the finish paint until the P05 primer coat 

become visible and visually inspect the concerned areas in accordance with § 

2.B.2.b.3. Accomplish the relevant corrective actions in accordance with § 

2.B.2.b.1 or § 2.B.2.b.2. 

(5) Replacement of the rotor hub in compliance with § (3) or § (4) of this AD does 

not terminate the repetitive inspection requirements of § (1) of this AD. 

Ref. Publications: 

Eurocopter EC 120 B EASB 05A012 – Revision 1, dated 19 February 2010. 

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

with the requirements of this AD. 

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 (0) 4 42 85 97 97 - Fax +33 (0) 4 42 85 99 66 

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