ASB No. SA315-65.48

Revision 0 2011-03-23 Approved under EASA DOA No. 21J.056. Page 1/9 

This document is available on the internet: www.eurocopter.com/techpub

 Civil version(s): 315B 

ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN

SUBJECT: ROTORS – Free-Wheel assembly 

 Check of the free-wheel cage 

Revision No. Date of issue 

Revision 0 2011-03-23 

Summary: 

Following a report of incorrect machining of a free-wheel cage, EUROCOPTER renders the check of the free-wheel 

cage mandatory. 

Compliance: 

EUROCOPTER renders compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN mandatory. 

For the attention of 
 

 ASB No. SA315-65.48

Revision 0 2011-03-23 Approved under EASA DOA No. 21J.056. Page 2/9 

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1. PLANNING INFORMATION 

1.A. EFFECTIVITY 

1.A.1. Helicopters/installed equipment 

Helicopters equipped with a free-wheel assembly, all part numbers: 

- which underwent the latest (complete) overhaul between October 15, 2003 and the date of issue of 

Revision 0 of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN, 

and

- whose Log Card does not make mention of the Letter to Repair Stations No. 245. 

NOTE 1 

Refer to the Log Card of the free-wheel assembly to identify 

the actual configuration of the free-wheel assembly. 

1.A.2. Non-installed equipment 

Free-wheel assemblies, all part numbers: 

- which underwent the latest (complete) overhaul between October 15, 2003 and the date of issue of 

Revision 0 of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN 

and

- whose Log Card does not make mention of the Letter to Repair Stations No. 245. 

NOTE 2 

Refer to the Log Card of the free-wheel assembly to identify 

the actual configuration of the free-wheel. 

Free-wheel cages, referenced (P/N) 3130S60-10-003, delivered between October 15, 2003 and 

February 24, 2009 inclusive. 

1.B. ASSOCIATED REQUIREMENTS 

Not applicable. 

1.C. REASON 

During autorotation in-flight training, a pilot experienced a heavy jerk in the yaw control at the time of 

resynchronization. 

The free-wheel assembly of the helicopter had been replaced shortly before this flight. 

Internal inspection of the free-wheel assembly revealed incorrect positioning of the roller drive pocket 

recesses on the cage. The subsequent off-setting limits the travel of the roller on its ramp and can cause, 

under torque, free-wheel slippage, liable to jeopardize flight safety. 

EUROCOPTER therefore renders the check of the free-wheel cage mandatory. 

Revision 0 of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN will form the subject of an EASA Airworthiness Directive. 

 

1.D. DESCRIPTION 

Compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN consists in removing and disassembling the free-wheel 

assembly, in order to check the free-wheel cage. 
 

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1.E. COMPLIANCE 

1.E.1. Compliance at the works 

Not applicable. 

1.E.2. Compliance in service 

The operations are to be performed on the helicopter by the operator. 

 Helicopters/installed equipment

Comply with paragraph 3. of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN within 110 flying hours following receipt of this 

ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN, issued on the date indicated at the foot of the page, at the latest 

by December 30, 2011. 

Non-installed equipment

Comply with paragraph 3. of this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN, issued on the date indicated at the foot of the 

page, before installation on the helicopter and at the latest by December 30, 2011. 

1.F. APPROVAL 

 Approval of modifications

Not applicable. 

 Approval of this document

The technical information contained in this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN Revision 0 was approved 

on March 23, 2011 under the authority of EASA Design Organization Approval No. 21J.056 for civil version 

helicopters subject to an Airworthiness Certificate.

 

1.G. MANPOWER 

EUROCOPTER recommends that compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN be ensured by 

personnel qualified as follows: 

Qualification: 1 Mechanical engineering technician. 

The operation times are given for information purposes, for a standard configuration. 

Time for the operations: approximately 1 day to check the free-wheel cage. 

 approximately 1 day to replace the free-wheel cage. 

The helicopter grounding time is approximately 2 days if the free-wheel cage needs replacing. 

1.H. WEIGHT AND BALANCE 

 Not applicable. 
 

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1.I. EFFECT ON ELECTRICAL LOADS 

Not applicable. 

1.J. SOFTWARE MODIFICATION EMBODIMENT RECORD 

Not applicable. 

1.K. REFERENCES 

The following documents are necessary for compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN: 

MDE: 40.00.301: Dynamic systems - "Mechanical" instructions 

MDE: 40.13.401: Free-wheel coupling shaft - Removal - installation of the assembly 

MDE: 40.13.603: Free-wheel coupling shaft - Periodic check of the free-wheel 

MRM: 40.13.450: Free-wheel coupling shaft - Replacement of the free-wheel bearings and seals 

1.L. DOCUMENTS AFFECTED 

Not applicable. 

1.M. INTERCHANGEABILITY OR MIXABILITY OF PARTS 

 Not applicable. 
 

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2. MATERIAL INFORMATION 

2.A. MATERIAL: PRICE - AVAILABILITY - PROCUREMENT 

For any information concerning the kits and/or components, contact the EUROCOPTER Network Sales & 

Customer Relations Department. 

 The kits and/or components will be delivered on the operator’s order. 

Order the required quantity (unless otherwise specified) 

from 

EUROCOPTER 

Etablissement de Marignane 

Direction Ventes et Relations Client (ECR) 

13725 MARIGNANE CEDEX 

France 

NOTE 1 

On the purchase order, please specify the mode of transport, the 

destination and the serial numbers of the helicopters to be modified. 

 NOTE 2 

For ALERT SERVICE BULLETINS, order by: 

Telex: HELICOP 410 969F 

Fax: +33 (0)4 42 85 99 96 

2.B. INFORMATION CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT 

Not applicable. 

2.C. MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR EACH HELICOPTER/COMPONENT 

Kits or components to be ordered for one helicopter or one assembly:

 Former Designation Qty New Part Number Item Part Number Instructions 

 

Cage A/R 3130S60-10-003 1 3130S60-10-003 / 

O-ring 1 2X56,9-23B7 2 2X56,9-23B7 Discard 

 Products to be ordered separately: 

In accordance with the Work Cards and Tasks specified in this Service Bulletin. 

The products can be ordered separately from the INTERTURBINE AVIATION LOGISTICS Company. 

Website: http://www.interturbine.com

Phone: +49.41.91.809.300 

AOG: +49.41.91.809.444 

2.D. MATERIAL TO BE RETURNED 

Not applicable. 
 

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3. ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS 

3.A. GENERAL 

Read and comply with the general instructions concerning mechanical systems as per MDE Work 

Card 40.00.301. 

3.B. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE 

3.B.1. Preliminary steps

- Install the access equipment. 

3.B.2. Check of the free-wheel cage (Figures 1 and 2) 

- Remove the free-wheel assembly (a) (Figure 1) as per MDE Work Card 40.13.401. 

 THE ROLLERS (c) ARE HELD BY THE FREE-WHEEL 

DRIVEN HEAD (b). CAREFULLY PULL OUT THE 

FREE-WHEEL DRIVEN HEAD (b), IN ORDER TO 

RECOVER THE ROLLERS (c). 

- Pull out the free-wheel driven head (b) as per MRM Work Card 40.13.450. 

- On the free-wheel cage (d) (Figure 2), check the alignment of the tab (C) with the pocket recess (D): 

. If the left edge of the tab (C) is in line with the left edge of the pocket recess (D) (Detail A, Figure 2): 

- Re-assemble the free-wheel assembly (a) as per paragraph 3.a. of MDE Work Card 40.13.603. 

NOTE 1 

When you re-assemble the free-wheel assembly, you must 

replace the O-ring (e) with an O-ring (2). 

- install the free-wheel assembly (a) as per MDE Work Card 40.13.401. 

. If the right edge of the tab (C) is in line with the right edge of the pocket recess (D) (Detail B, Figure 2): 

- discard the free-wheel cage (d), 

- replace the free-wheel cage (d) with a free-wheel cage (1) as per MRM Work Card 40.13.450, 

- re-assemble the free-wheel assembly (a) as per MRM Work Card 40.13.450. 

NOTE 2 

When you re-assemble the free-wheel assembly, you must 

replace the O-ring (e) with an O-ring (2). 

- install the free-wheel assembly (a) as per MDE Work Card 40.13.401. 

3.B.3. Final steps 

- Remove the access equipment. 

CAUTION
 

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3.C. IDENTIFICATION 

 Identification of this document: 

Record compliance with this ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN in the helicopter documents and on the Log Card 

of the free-wheel. 

3.D. OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS 

Not applicable. 
 

 ASB No. SA315-65.48

Revision 0 2011-03-23 Approved under EASA DOA No. 21J.056. Page 8/9 

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Figure 1: Location of the free-wheel cage

a 

d 

1 

c 

b 

e 

2 

a 
 

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Figure 2: Check of the free-wheel cage 

D 

d 

1 

DETAIL A DETAIL B 

C 

d 

1 

Correct cage 

t

Incorrect cage