EASA AD No. 2011-0143

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

## EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2011-0143

Date: 26 July 2011

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is i ssued 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 s hall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may opera te an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agenc y [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) :
315, 316, 318 and 319 helicopters

TCDS Number : EASA.R.123 and EASA.R.124

Foreign AD : Not Applicable

Supersedure: None



### ATA 65 Tail Rotor Drive – Free-Wheel Cage – Inspection / Replacement

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Euroc opter France, Aérospatiale, Sud Aviation)

Applicability: SA 315 B, SE 3160, SA 316 B, SA 316 C, SA 3180, SA 318 B, SA 318 C and
SA 319 B helicopters, all serial numbers.
Reason: During autorotation in-flight training, a pilot experienced a heavy jerk in the yaw control at the time of resynchronization. The free-wheel assembly of the helicopter had been replaced shortly before this flight.
Internal inspection of the free-wheel a ssembly revealed incorrect positioning of the roller drive pocket recesses on the cage. The subsequent off-setting limits the travel of the roller on its ramp and can cause, under high torque condition, freewheel slippage.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a temporary loss of rotor driving liable to jeopardize flight safe ty especially in phases of flight close to the ground.

For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires the inspection of the free-wheel cage and corrective action, depending on findings.
Effective Date: 09 August 2011EASA AD No. 2011-0143

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 Required action(s) and Compliance Time(s): Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:
(1) Within 5 months or 110 flight hours, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following actions:
(1.1) Determine whether a free-whee l assembly (any part number) is installed that has been overhauled between 15 October 2003 and 23 March 2011. Free-wheels whose Log Card mentions the Eurocopter Letter No. 245 to Repair Stations are not affected by this AD.
(1.2) If an affected free-wheel is installe d, inspect the cage of the free-wheel in accordance with the instructions of § 3.B of the Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) SA 315B No 65.48, or ASB SE 3160, SA 316B, SA 316C, SA 319B, SA 3180, SA 318B and SA 318C No 65.149, as applicable to helicopter model.
(2) If during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, a free-wheel cage of incorrect design is found to be installed, before next flight, replace the affected free-wheel cage by a serv iceable one, in accordance with the instructions of § 3.B of the Euro copter ASB SA 315B No 65.48 or ASB SE 3160, SA 316B, SA 316C, SA 319B, SA 3180, SA 318B and SA 318C No 65.149, as applicable to helicopter model.
(3) From the effective date of this AD , do not install an affected free-wheel on a helicopter, unless its cage has passed t he inspection in accordance with the instructions of § 3.B of the Euro copter ASB SA 315B No 65.48 or ASB SE 3160, SA 316B, SA 316C, SA 319B, SA 3180, SA 318B and SA 318C No 65.149, as applicable to helicopter model.

Ref. Publications: Eurocopter ASB SA 315B No 65.48 original iss ue, dated 23 March 2011;
Eurocopter ASB SE 3160, SA 316B, SA 316C, SA 319B, SA 3180, SA 318B and SA 318C ASB No 65.149 original issue, dated 23 March 2011;
The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately subs tantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD.
2. This AD was posted on 08 June 2011 as PAD 11-060 for consultation until 06 July 2011. The Comment Response Documents can be found at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/
3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail ADs@easa.europa.eu

. 4. For any question concerning the technica l 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

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