EASA AD No.: 2010-0082-E 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2010-0082-E 

Date: 27 April 2010 

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) : 

AS 350 and AS 355 helicopters 

TCDS Number : EASA.R.008 & EASA.R.146 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 65 Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Gearbox (TGB) Control Lever – Inspection / 

Rework / Replacement 

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Eurocopter-France, Aerospatiale) 

Applicability: 

AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2, and D helicopters, all serial numbers, and 

AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters, all serial numbers, 

if equipped with TGB control lever Part Number (P/N) 350A33-1058-00, P/N 

350A33-1058-01, P/N 350A33-1058-02, or P/N 350A33-1058-03, except 

those marked with an “X”. 

Reason: 

An accident occurred involving an AS 350 B2 helicopter; the cause of the 

accident was the failure of control lever P/N 350A33-1058-03. Initial 

investigations on site showed that the area of failure of the control lever was 

similar to that in cases encountered previously where it was demonstrated 

that the crack was due to non-compliant installation. 

Therefore Eurocopter issued Safety Information Notice (SIN) No. 2106-S-65 

on October 29, 2009, to remind operators of the installation procedure and of 

the checking instructions which are applicable following installation of the 

control lever. 

Concerning the latest case, further investigations have not formally concluded 

non-compliant installation of the TGB control lever; only a few surface 

anomalies were revealed. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could reduce the structural 

strength of the TGB control lever, possibly causing failure of the lever, which 

could result in reduced control of the helicopter. 

In order to remove any surface anomalies which could induce the formation of 

cracks and lead to reduced strength, Eurocopter has defined local reworking 
EASA AD No.: 2010-0082-E 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

of the area concerned. Pending this rework, a visual inspection of the area 

must be accomplished during checks after the last flight of the day (ALF). 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive inspections of the 

affected parts in order to detect cracks and, depending on findings, rework or 

replacement.

Effective Date: 29 April 2010 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) Within 10 flight hours (FH) or during the ALF, whichever occurs first after 

the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 

FH or during the ALF, whichever occurs first, visually inspect the affected 

control levers in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 2.B.1.a of 

Eurocopter AS350 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05.00.62 or AS355 

ASB No. 05.00.57, as applicable to helicopter type. 

(2) If, during the inspections performed as required by paragraph (1) of this 

AD, no cracks are found, within 660 FH or 14 months, whichever occurs 

first after the effective date of this AD, for each affected part, accomplish 

the instructions of paragraph 2.B.3 of Eurocopter AS350 ASB No. 

05.00.62 or AS355 ASB No. 05.00.57, as applicable to helicopter type, or 

replace it with a reworked lever (marked with an “X”) or with a reinforced 

control lever P/N 350A33-1526-00 or P/N 350A33-1524-00. 

(3) If during any inspection performed as required by paragraph (1) of this AD 

any crack is found, before next flight, contact Eurocopter and replace the 

affected part in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 2.B.1.b 2) of 

Eurocopter AS350 ASB No. 05.00.62 or AS355 ASB No. 05.00.57, as 

applicable to helicopter type. 

(4) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a TGB control lever P/N 

350A33-1058-00, P/N 350A33-1058-01, P/N 350A33-1058-02, or P/N 

350A33-1058-03 on any helicopter, unless it has been reworked (marked 

with an “X”) in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 2.B.3 of 

Eurocopter AS350 ASB No. 05.00.62 or AS355 ASB No. 05.00.57, as 

applicable to helicopter type 

(5) After installation of a reworked part or a reinforced part on a helicopter, as 

required by paragraph (2) or (3) of this AD, the repetitive inspections of 

paragraph (1) are no longer required for that helicopter. 

Ref. Publications: Eurocopter AS350 ASB No. 05.00.62, Revision 1, and 

Eurocopter AS350 ASB No. 05.00.57, Revision 1, both dated 23 April 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 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 Airworthiness Directive 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