EASA AD No.: 2011-0038-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 1/3 

EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2011-0038-E 

Date: 04 March 2011 

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 350 and AS 355 helicopters 

TCDS Number : EASA.R.008, EASA.R.146 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : This AD supersedes EASA Emergency AD 2010-0082-E dated 27 April 2010, 

including the Correction dated 28 April 2010. 

ATA 65 Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Gearbox (TGB) Control Lever – Inspection / 

Rework / Replacement 

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

Applicability: AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2, and D helicopters, all serial numbers, and 

AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters, all serial numbers, 

if equipped with TGB control lever Part Number (P/N) 350A33-1058-00, P/N 

350A33-1058-01, P/N 350A33-1058-02, or P/N 350A33-1058-03. 

Reason: An accident occurred involving an AS 350 B2 helicopter; the cause of the 

accident was the failure of control lever P/N 350A33-1058-03. Initial 

investigations on site showed that the area of failure of the control lever was 

similar to that in cases encountered previously where it was demonstrated that 

the crack was due to non-compliant installation. 

Therefore Eurocopter issued Safety Information Notice (SIN) No. 2106-S-65 

on 29 October 2009, to remind operators of the installation procedure and of 

the checking instructions which are applicable following installation of the 

control lever. 

Concerning the latest case, further investigations have not formally concluded 

non-compliant installation of the TGB control lever; only a few surface 

anomalies were revealed. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could reduce the structural 

strength of the TGB control lever, possibly causing failure of the lever, which 

could result in reduced control of the helicopter. 

Eurocopter have defined local reworking of the area concerned in order to 

remove any surface anomalies which could induce the formation of cracks and 
EASA AD No.: 2011-0038-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 2/3 

lead to reduced strength. Pending this rework, a visual inspection of the area 

was introduced by AS350 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 05.00.62 and AS355 

ASB 05.00.57, to be accomplished during checks after the last flight of the day 

(ALF). 

To address and correct this unsafe condition, EASA AD 2010-0082-E was 

issued to require repetitive inspections of the affected control levers to detect 

cracks and, depending on findings, rework or replacement. 

During further investigation, Eurocopter found cracks on the area opposite of the 

already monitored one of the affected control levers. Consequently, Eurocopter 

have issued Revision 2 of AS350 ASB 05.00.62 and AS355 ASB 05.00.57, 

adding repetitive visual check followed in case of doubt by non destructive 

tests (e.g. dye penetrant inspection) of the opposite area with adjusted 

intervals according to helicopter Model. 

For the reasons described above, this new AD retains the requirements of 

EASA AD 2010-0082-E, which is superseded, and adds repetitive inspections 

of the opposite area of the control levers and, depending on findings, rework of 

the area inspected as per paragraph (1) or replacement.

Effective Date: 08 March 2011 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within 10 flight hours (FH) or during the ALF, whichever occurs first after 

29 April 2010 [the effective date of EASA AD 2010-0082-E], and thereafter 

at intervals not to exceed 10 FH or during the ALF, whichever occurs first, 

visually inspect the affected control levers, in accordance with the 

instructions of paragraph 2.B.1.a of Eurocopter AS350 ASB 05.00.62 or 

AS355 ASB 05.00.57, as applicable to helicopter type. 

(2) If, during the inspections performed as required by paragraph (1) of this 

AD, no cracks are found, within 660 FH or 14 months, whichever occurs 

first after 29 April 2010 [the effective date of EASA AD 2010-0082-E], for 

each affected part, accomplish the instructions of paragraph 2.B.3 of 

Eurocopter AS350 ASB 05.00.62 or AS355 ASB 05.00.57, as applicable 

to helicopter type, or replace it with a reworked lever (marked with an “X”) 

or with a reinforced control lever P/N 350A33-1526-00 or P/N 350A33-

1524-00. 

(3) After the effective date of this AD, initially within the time indicated in Table 

1 or Table 2 of this AD, as applicable to helicopter model, and thereafter at 

intervals indicated in Table 3 of this AD, as applicable to helicopter model, 

visually inspect the affected control levers, in accordance with the 

instructions of paragraph 2.B.4 of Eurocopter AS350 ASB 05.00.62 

Revision 2, or AS355 ASB 05.00.57 Revision 2, as applicable to helicopter 

type. 

Table 1 - All helicopters, except AS 355 N 

FH accumulated by 

the control lever 

Initial Inspection 

Less than 605 FH Before accumulating 660 FH since new 

or overhaul 

605 FH or more 55 FH after the effective date of this AD 

Table 2 - AS 355 N helicopters 

FH accumulated by 

the control lever 

Initial Inspection 

Less than 100 FH Before accumulating 110 FH since new 

or overhaul 

100 FH or more 10 FH after the effective date of this AD 
EASA AD No.: 2011-0038-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 3/3 

Table 3 – Inspection Intervals 

Helicopter model Compliance time interval 

All, except AS 355 N 660 FH 

AS 355 N 110 FH 

(4) If, during any inspection as required by paragraphs (1) or (3) of this AD 

any crack is found, before next flight, contact Eurocopter and replace the 

affected control lever, in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 

2.B.1.b 2) of Eurocopter AS350 ASB 05.00.62 Revision 2 or AS355 ASB 

05.00.57 Revision 2, as applicable to helicopter type. 

(5) After 29 April 2010 [the effective date of EASA AD 2010-0082-E], do not 

install a TGB control lever P/N 350A33-1058-00, P/N 350A33-1058-01, 

P/N 350A33-1058-02, or P/N 350A33-1058-03 on any helicopter, unless it 

has been reworked (marked with an “X”) in accordance with the 

instructions of paragraph 2.B.3 of Eurocopter AS350 ASB 05.00.62 or 

AS355 ASB 05.00.57, as applicable to helicopter type. 

(6) After installation of a reworked lever (marked with an “X”) on a helicopter, 

the repetitive inspections of paragraph (1) are no longer required for that 

helicopter. 

(7) After installation of a reinforced lever P/N 350A33-1526-00 or P/N 

350A33-1524-00 on a helicopter, the repetitive inspections of paragraphs 

(1) and (3) are no longer required for that helicopter. 

Ref. Publications: Eurocopter AS350 ASB No. 05.00.62, Revision 2, and 

Eurocopter AS355 ASB No. 05.00.57, Revision 2, both dated 1 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 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. 

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

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