EASA AD No.: 2013-0120

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2013-0120

Date: 04 June 2013

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 EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.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].

Design Approval Holder’s Name:

TURBOMECA

Type/Model designation(s):

ARRIEL 1 engines

TCDS Number: EASA.E.073

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 72 Engine – Free Turbine Bearing Plug – Inspection / Rework

Manufacturer(s): Turbomeca

Applicability: ARRIEL 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K, 1K1, 1S, 1S1, all 

serial numbers.

These engines are known to be installed on, but not limited to, Eurocopter 

(formerly Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale) AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1 and B2, 

and AS 365 N, Eurocopter Deutschland (formerly Messerschmitt-BölkowBlohm) MBB-BK117-C1 and -C2, AgustaWestland (formerly Agusta) A 109 

K2, and Sikorsky S-76A helicopters.

Reason: A "chip light illumination" event in flight on an ARRIEL 1C2 engine was 

reported to Turbomeca. Following this event, which resulted from Free 

Turbine front bearing deterioration, the investigation revealed that the loss of 

the Free Turbine (FT) bearing plug has led to a major disruption in the 

lubrication of the FT module (M04) bearings. The root cause of this event 

has been attributed to incorrect bonding of the Free Turbine Bearing Plug, 

accomplished during the repair process in an identified Repair Center.

Consequently, it was possible to identify a batch of Modules M04 which are 

potentially affected.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to an uncommanded

engine in-flight shut down, possibly leading to an emergency landing.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Turbomeca issued Mandatory 

Service Bulletin (MSB) A292 72 0838, which provides inspection instructions

to determine whether a potentially affected Module M04 is installed.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-time inspection to 
EASA AD No.: 2013-0120

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check for the presence, positioning and bonding of the FT Bearing Plug, and,

depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s). 

Effective Date: 18 June 2013

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within the compliance time specified in Table 1 of this AD, for engines 

equipped with a Module M04 identified by Part Number (P/N) and serial 

number (s/n) in Appendix 1 of this AD, as applicable, visually check for 

the presence of the FT Bearing plug, its positioning and bonding in 

accordance with the instructions of Turbomeca MSB A292 72 0838:

Table 1

Engine Model Compliance Time after the 

effective date of this AD

ARRIEL 1B, 1D and 1D1 Within 50 Engine Flight Hours 

(EFH) 

ARRIEL 1A1, 1A2, 1C, 

1C1, 1C2, 1E2, 1K, 1K1, 

1S and 1S1

Within 300 EFH 

(2) If, during the actions as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any 

discrepancy is found, before next flight, accomplish the applicable 

corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of Turbomeca

MSB A292 72 0838.

(3) From the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected module 

M04 (identified by P/N and s/n in Appendix 1 of this AD) on an engine, 

or an engine on which an affected Module M04 is installed, on a 

helicopter, unless the affected Module has been inspected and, 

depending on findings, corrected as required by this AD.

Ref. Publications: Turbomeca MSB A292 72 0838 version A dated 24 May 2013.

The use of later approved revisions of this document 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 AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact:

Turbomeca, ARRIEL 1 Customer Support,

40220 Tarnos, France, Fax: +33 5 59 74 45 15, or

contact your usual or nearest Turbomeca technical representative at 

www.turbomeca-support.com.
EASA AD No.: 2013-0120

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Appendix 1

List of potentially affected ARRIEL 1 Modules M04 - P/N and s/n

Module M04 P/N Module M04 s/n FT Bearing s/n

70BM041020 296 0735CC

70BM041030 1173 1911MF

1943 2781MF

70BM041040 723 1283MF

70BM043110

14054 0125PC

14055 0127PC

14060 0152PC

14063 0193PC

14074 0324PC

14075 0327PC

14076 0276PC

14078 0266PC

14079 0262PC

14083 0352PC

14085 0381PC

14086 0382PC

14148 0788PC

14156 0973PC

70BM045210 5038 0294CC

5107 2480MF

70BM045400

9136 0642CC

9153 0651CC

9184 0748CC

9185 1266MF

9276 0894CC

9293 1018CC

9343 1154CC

9344 1138CC

9378 2746MF

9381 2743MF

9562 2972MF

15131 0895CC

70BM045410

9638 0358CC

9672 1370CC

9775 3262MF

9787 3143MF

9888 0305PC

70BM047100 16032 1389CC

70BM047200

3036 2475MF

3104 2640MF

3105 0759CC

Note: FT Bearing s/n are provided for information