Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007L01556:body:0:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007L01556
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 0–3191

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DAUPHIN/46 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters
AD/DAUPHIN/46 Amdt 2  Main Rotor Gearbox Suspension  7/2007
                      Diagonal Cross-Member

Applicability:  Model AS 365 N, N1, and N2 helicopters equipped with main rotor gearbox suspension diagonal cross-members, part number 365A38-3023-20, -21, -22, -23,
                and -24.
Requirement:    Action in accordance with paragraph 2.B of Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.37 Revision 2, or later EASA approved revision.

                If a crack is detected, before further flight, remove and replace the diagonal brace cross-member in accordance with paragraph 2.B.3.a of the Requirement document.

                If the complete failure of the diagonal cross-member is detected, before further flight, remove and replace the diagonal cross-member and perform the checks in accordance with paragraph 2.B.3.b of the Requirement document.

                Note:  EASA AD 2007-0129 refers.
Compliance:        1. Perform an initial check of the centre portion of the main rotor gearbox diagonal cross-member as specified in the Requirement document, unless already accomplished:

                     a. Upon the accumulation of 15,000 flight cycles for AS 365 N and N1 helicopters, and upon the accumulation of 11,000 flight cycles for AS 365 N2 helicopters; or,

                     b. Within 50 flight hours or 250 flight cycles after 16 July 2003, whichever occurs first; for cross-members that have logged more than 15,000 flight cycles on AS 365 N and N1 helicopters, and for cross-members that have logged more than 11,000 flight cycles on AS 365 N2 helicopters.

                   2. Following the initial check performed at the times specified in Compliance 1, repeat thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 flight hours or 250 flight cycles, whichever occurs first.

                The compliance times remain unchanged by this issue of the Directive.
                This Amendment becomes effective on 5 July 2007.

Background:  The manufacturer received a report of a cracked main rotor gearbox suspension diagonal cross-member.

             Amendment 1 introduced changes to compliance times.

             Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new EASA AD, which introduces certain check requirements when complete failure of the diagonal cross-member occurs.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety