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 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 Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that Airworthiness Directive 

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 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 (formerly EUROCOPTER FRANCE, AEROSPATIALE). 

Applicability: AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters, 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 2006-0096 and AD 2006-0097R1, 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, and 
EASA 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 Applicability of this AD as replacement 

parts, unless MOD 073330 has been accomplished. 

Ref. Publications: EUROCOPTER AS 355 ALERT 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 & 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 .