EASA AD No.: 2010-0147-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 1/2 

EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2010-0147-E 

Date: 14 July 2010 

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): 

SA 330 helicopters 

TCDS Number: EASA.R.002 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Revision: None 

ATA 65 Rotors – Main Gear Box Oil Cooling Fan - Inspection / Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Eurocopter France) 

Applicability: SA 330 J helicopters, all serial numbers. 

Reason: EUROCOPTER has been informed of a case of rotor burst of the Main Gear 

Box (MGB) oil cooling fan assembly. 

The investigation has shown that some fan rotor blades interfered with the 

upper area of the guide vane bearing housing of the fan. The blades detached 

from the rotor, impacting then the MGB compartment environment and 

causing puncture holes in the transmission deck. This interference was due to 

internal degradation of the bearings of the fan rotor shaft. 

This last condition, if not corrected, could lead to fan rotor burst and possibly 

result to damage hydraulic pipes and flight controls located nearby the MGB 

cooling fan. 

For the reasons stated above, this AD requires an inspection of the play 

between a fan blade and the guide vane bearing housing. Furthermore, it also 

requires the necessary replacement of the two bearings of the fan rotor shaft, 

depending on findings. 

Effective Date: 16 July 2010. 
EASA AD No.: 2010-0147-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 2/2 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within 10 Flight Hours (FH) after the effective date of this AD, and 

thereafter at intervals not exceeding 10 FH, measure with a feeler gauge 

at the bottom of the fan guide vane bearing, the play between a fan blade 

and the upper section of the guide vane bearing housing of the fan in 

accordance with the instructions of paragraph 3.B.2. of Eurocopter SA 

330 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05.96. 

(2) If the play measured over the entire width of the fan blade is lower than 

0.2 mm, before next flight, replace the two bearings of the fan rotor shaft 

with serviceable ones in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 

3.B.2.b) of Eurocopter SA 330 ASB No. 05.96. 

(3) The replacement of the two fan rotor shaft bearings as required by 

paragraph (2) of this AD does not constitute a terminating action for the 

repetitive inspections required by paragraph (1) of this AD. 

Ref. Publications: Eurocopter SA 330 Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.96 dated 12 July 2010. 

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 

telephone +33 (4) 12 85 97 97, facsimile +33 (4) 42 85 99 66 

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