EASA AD No.: 2011-0164

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

## EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2011-0164

Date: 31 August 2011

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued b y EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the Europe an 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 en sured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Conseque ntly, no person may operate an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accor dance with the requirements of that AD, unless othe rwise specified by the Agency [EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/200 8, 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 : None



### ATA 67 Rotors Flight Control – Tail Rotor Control Stop Scr ews – Inspection

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Eurocopter Fr ance, Aerospatiale)
Applicability: AS 350 B, AS 350 BA, AS 350 BB, AS 3 50 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3 and AS 350 D helicopters, all serial numbers (s/n), if equipped with an Autopilot (AP), and AS350 B3 helicopters, all s/n, without an AP installed, but embodying modification 073252. AS 355 E, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, AS 355 N and AS 355 NP helicopters, all s/n, if equipped with an AP, and A S 355 N and AS 355 NP helicopters, all s/n, without an AP installed, but embodying modification 071908.
Reason: During take-off with a sling load, the pilo t of an AS350 B3 helicopter noticed that he reached one of the yaw stops before its usu al position. The subsequent inspection revealed that a nut of the ta il rotor control stop was loose and that the corresponding tail rotor control stop screw was out of adjustment. This condition, if not detected and corrected, can lead to the loss of adjustment of the affected stop and consequently li mit yaw authority, possibly resulting in loss of control of the helico pter. For the reasons described above, this AD requires r epetitive inspections of the tail rotor control stop screws and, depending o n findings, adjustment. This AD is considered an interim action, pending th e development of a modification, and further AD action may follow.

Effective Date: 14 September 2011EASA AD No.: 2011-0164

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s): Required as indicated, unless accomplished previous ly: (1) Within 110 flight hours (FH) after the effectiv e date of this AD, inspect the tail rotor control stop screws in accordance wi th the instructions of paragraph 3.B.2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulleti n (ASB) No. AS350- 05.00.64, or of ASB No. AS355-05.00.59, as applicab le to helicopter model. (2) If, during the inspection as required by paragr aph (1) of this AD, discrepancies are detected, before next flight, adj ust the stops and, irrespective of findings, mark a line of paint on t he screw/nut assembly, in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 3. B.2 of Eurocopter ASB No. AS350-05.00.64, or of ASB No. AS355-05.00.5 9, as applicable to helicopter model. (3) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 110 FH, inspect the red paint lines on the screw and nut for alignment, in accordance w ith the instructions of paragraph 3.B.3 of Eurocopter ASB No. AS350-05.0 0.64, or of ASB No. AS355-05.00.59, as applicable to helicopter mod el. (4) If, during any inspection as required by paragr aph (3) of this AD, discrepancies are detected, before next flight, rem ove the red paint marks, adjust the stops and mark a new line of pain t on the screw/nut assembly, in accordance with the instructions of pa ragraph 3.B.2 of Eurocopter ASB No. AS350-05.00.64, or of ASB No. AS 355-05.00.59, as applicable to helicopter model. (5) Corrective action as required by paragraph (4) of this AD does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive in spections as required by paragraph (3) of this AD.
Ref. Publications: Eurocopter ASB No. AS350-05.00.6 4 dated 30 August 2011 Eurocopter ASB No. AS355-05.00.59 dated 30 August 2 011 The use of later approved revisions of these docume nts is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EA SA can approve Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 2. The required actions and the risk allowance have granted the issuance of a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the public consultation process after publication. 3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred t o the Safety Information Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E -mail ADs@easa.europa.eu

4. For any question concerning the technical content o f the requirements in this AD, please contact: EUROCOPTER - Customer Service Technical Support Dep artment, Aéroport de Marseille, Provence 13725 Marignane Ced ex – France Telephone: + 33 (0)4 42 85 99 51, Fax: + 33 (0)4 42 85 99 66. E-mail: Directive.technical-support@eurocopter.com

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