EASA AD No : 2009-0015 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2009-0015 

Date: 21 January 2009 

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 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 and AS 332 helicopters 

TCDS Number : EASA.R.002 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 52 Doors – Hinged Door Upper and Lower Catches – Inspection / 

Check 

Manufacturer(s): EUROCOPTER. (formerly EUROCOPTER France). 

Applicability: 

SA 330 F, SA 330 G and SA 330 J helicopters, all serial numbers, if equipped 

with hinged doors. 

AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1 and AS 332 L2 helicopters, all 

serial numbers, if equipped with hinged doors and delivered prior to 01 August 

2007. 

Reason: 

EASA has received a report of a rear hinged door on an AS 332 L1 helicopter 

opening in-flight, without loss of the door. 

The examinations carried out on the affected helicopter revealed incorrect 

positioning of a door catch, which induced incorrect locking and resulted in 

uncontrolled opening of the door. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, can lead to the loss of the hinged 

door in flight, potentially causing damage to the main and/or tail rotor blades 

which could result in loss of control of the helicopter, and creating risk of injury 

to persons on the ground. 

For the reason described above, this AD requires a one-time inspection of the 

position of the door catches and the correct re-installation of parts, if 

necessary. 

Effective Date: 04 February 2009 
EASA AD No : 2009-0015 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within the next 220 flight hours (FH) or 6 months, whichever occurs first 

after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the 

positioning of the rear and front lower door catches as well as the rear 

and front upper door catches in accordance with the instructions of 

paragraph 2.B.2 of Eurocopter SA330 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 52.13 

or Eurocopter AS332 ASB 52.00.38, as applicable to helicopter version. 

(2) If any catch is found to be improperly installed, before next flight, remove 

and reinstall the affected catch in accordance with paragraph 2.B.3 and 

2.B.4, and then adjust micro-switches of the “door open” indicating 

system and perform a functional check in accordance with the instructions 

of paragraph 2.B.5 of Eurocopter SA330 ASB 52.13 or Eurocopter AS332 

ASB 52.00.38, as applicable to helicopter version. 

(3) If all catches are found to be properly installed, before next flight, adjust 

micro-switches of the “door open” indicating system and perform a 

functional check in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 2.B.5 of 

Eurocopter SA330 ASB 52.13 or Eurocopter AS332 ASB 52.00.38, as 

applicable to helicopter version. 

Ref. Publications: 

Eurocopter SA330 ASB 52.13 dated 01 December 2008. 

Eurocopter AS332 ASB 52.00.38 dated 01 December 2008. 

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. This AD was published on 16 December 2008 as PAD 08-143 for 

consultation until 13 January 2009. The Comment Response Document 

can be found at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/. 

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 (0) 4 42 85 97 97, Fax +33 (0) 4 42 85 99 66, 

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