AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

CAA-AD-T-019/2001

Date of issue: February 26, 2001

HELICOPTER - TAIL ROTOR (ATA 65) - REPLACEMENT

Applicability: AS 350 helicopters AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N fitted with tail rotor hub pitch-change plate SNR bearing part number 6010F234M16 (704A33-651-190).

Effective date: Upon receipt.

Compliance : Required as indicated in DGAC AD T2001-073-061(A).

Remarks:. The compliance of this AD must be recorded in Aircraft Logbook, where applicable the requirements of this AD must be integrated into Aircraft Technical Documentation. Address inquiries concerning this AD to: Civil Aviation Authority, Airworthiness Division, Ruzyne Airport, 160 08 Prague 6, Czech Republic, tel: 420 2 33320922, fax: 420 2 20562270

Ing. Pavel MATOUŠEK
Director of Airworthiness Division
CAA CZ

DGAC AD No.: T2001-073-061(A)

AS 355 EUROCOPTER Helicopters -Tail rotor hub Pitch-change plate bearing (ATA 65)

1. EFFECTIVITY

AS 350 helicopters AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N fitted with tail rotor hub pitch-change plate SNR bearing part number 6010F234M16 (704A33-651-190).

2. REASON

This telegraphic airworthiness directive (TAD) is issued subsequent to some cases of cracks on some AS 350 B3 tail rotor hub pitch-change bearings, which can lead to a mal-functioning of the plate and lead to a loss of control of the helicopter.

3. ACTIONS TO BE UNDERTAKEN AND COMPLIANCE DUE DATE

Following the effective date of this TAD, the actions hereafter are rendered mandatory:

3.1 bearing already fitted on AS 355 N

3.1.1 functioning hours of the bearing less than 270 hours on the effective date of this TAD: remove the bearing at the latest when it reaches 300 hours.

3.1.2 functioning hours of the bearing between 270 hours included and 600 hours on the effective date of this TAD: remove the bearing within 30 flying hours.

3.1.3 functioning hours of the bearing between 600 hours included and 900 hours on the effective date of this TAD: remove the bearing within 20 flying hours.

3.1.4 functioning hours of the bearing equal to or above 900 hours on the effective date of this TAD: remove the bearing within 10 flying hours.

3.2 bearing already fitted on AS 355 E, F, F1 and F2

3.2.1 functioning hours of the bearing less than 1150 hours on the effective date of this TAD: remove the bearing at the latest when it reaches 1200 hours.

3.2.2 functioning hours of the bearing between 1150 hours included and 1550 hours on the effective date of this TAD: remove the bearing within 50 flying hours.

3.2.3 functioning hours of the bearing equal to or above 1550 hours on the effective date of this TAD: remove the bearing within 10 flying hours.

3.3 The bearing has the following life limit: 300 hours (if mounted on AS 355 N helicopter) and 1200 hours (if mounted on AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 helicopters).

3.4 In case of transfer of the bearing from one AS 355 version to another, apply transfer rules defined in chapter 05.99 page P8 of the master servicing manual.

REFERENCE : Eurocopter Telex Alert AS 355 No.: 01.00.46.

EFFECTIVE DATE : ON RECEIPT