EASA AD No.: 2008-0120

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

## EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2008 - 0120

Date: 27 June 2008

Note: This 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 participat e 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 a ccomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may opera te an aircraft to which an Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that Airworthiness Direc tive unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Regi stry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

### Type Approval Holder’s Name :
EUROCOPTER Type/Model designation(s) :
AS 355 helicopters

TCDS Number : EASA R.146

Foreign AD : Not applicable

Supersedure : EASA AD 2006-0096 dated 24 April 2006 and 2006- 0097R1 dated 18 August 2006.



### ATA 55 Stabilizers – Upper and Lower Fin Attachment Fitting - Modification

Manufacturer(s): EUROCOPTER (formerl y EUROCOPTER FRANCE, AEROSPATIALE).

Applicability: AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopt ers, all serial numbers, fitted with the following upper and lower fins to which modification (MOD) 073330 has not been embodied: - Upper fin assembly part number (P/N): 355A14-0522 – 02XX; - Upper fin assembly P/N: 355A14-0522 – 03XX; - Upper fin assembly P/N: 355A14-0522 – 15XX; - Lower fin assembly P/N: 355A14-0521 – 02XX; - Lower fin assembly P/N: 355A14-0521 – 03XX.
Reason: This AD is issued following two reports of a crack discovered in the spar of the upper fin on AS 355 N helicopters. The growth of a crack in a fin attachment spar, if not corrected, may lead to the failure of the spar and the loss of the fin. This AD supersedes EASA AD 2006-00 96 and AD 2006-009 7R1, introducing new requirements. In fact, it renders mandatory MOD 073330 introduced by EUROCOPTER AS 355 ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN (ASB) No. 55.00.12, whose purpose is: - to reduce the risk of forced fitting by increasing the diameter of the holes

for the bolts on the lower and upper fin attachment fittings on the tail boom, andEASA AD No.: 2008-0120

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 - to improve the fatigue strength of upper and lower fin attachment by

replacing bolts and washers currently installed with special bolts and special washers.
Effective Date: 11 July 2008

Required action(s) and Compliance Time(s): Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously : 1. Installed equipment: No later than 31 March 2009, remove the fins, modify the lower and upper

fittings on tail boom by increasing the diameter of the holes for the bolts, replace bolts P/N 22126BV060032L and washers P/N 23112AG060LE with special bolts P/N 350A23-4016-20 and special washers P/N 350A23- 4017-22 in accordance with EUROCOPTER AS 355 ASB No. 55.00.12.
2. Non-installed equipment: After 31 March 2009 no person shall install on any helicopter spare fins

with part numbers as listed in the A pplicability of this AD as replacement parts, unless MOD 073330 has been accomplished.

Ref. Publications: EUROCOPTER AS 355 AL ERT SERVICE BULLETIN No. 55.00.12 Revision 0 dated 28 February 2008. 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. This AD was posted on 26 February 2008 as PAD 08-028 for consultation until 20 March 2008. No comments were received during the consultation period. 3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness Directives, Safety Management & Re search Section, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail ADs@easa.europa.eu 4. For any question concerning the tec hnical content of the requirements in this AD, please contac t: 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

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