AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

CAA-AD-T-097/2001R3

Nahrazuje CAA-AD-T-097/2001R2

Date of issue: July 2, 2002

HELICOPTER – MAIN ROTOR – STARFLEX STAR (ATA 05, 62) – INSPECTION

Applicability: AS 355 version E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters equipped with STARFLEX stars P/N 350A31.1916.00, mounted on Main Rotor Hubs (MRH)prior to the embodiment of MOD 076221.

Effective date: Upon receipt

Compliance : Required as indicated in DGAC AD 2001-558-064(A) R3.

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.: 2001-558-064(A) R3

EUROCOPTER

AS 355 Helicopters

Main rotor - STARFLEX star (ATA 05, 62)

1. EFFECTIVITY:

AS 355 version E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters equipped with STARFLEX stars P/N 350A31.1916.00, mounted on Main Rotor Hubs (MRH)prior to the embodiment of MOD 076221.

2. REASONS:

This Airworthiness Directive (AD)is issued following several occurrences of rapid bonding failure of the metal bush that is installed on the STARFLEX star arm ends. In some cases, these incidents caused the pilots to land quickly due to strong vibrations in the cabin.

Revision 1 introduces the Revision 1 of the Alert Telex which corrects a mistake in the number of this document at its issue and adds the Note in paragraph 3.1.

Revision 2 renders the embodiment of MOD 076221, which is subject of referenced EUROCOPTER AS 355 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 62.00.26, mandatory.

Revision 3 excludes the MRHs post MOD 076221 from the scope of application of the AD.

3. MANDATORY ACTIONS AND COMPLIANCE TIME:

3.1. Before the next flight after the effective date of this AD at original issue of this AD, then after each flight after which the rotors are stopped, on MRHs not embodying MOD 076221, check the adhesive bead of the metal bushes bonded at the end of the three arms of STARFLEX stars, in compliance with the instructions described in paragraph 2 of referenced AS 355 Alert Telex No. 05.00.37 R2.

Note: The check can be carried out by a pilot having received the appropriate training.

3.2. No later then May 31, 2002, install a stop stud at the bottom of each frequency adapter per MOD 076221, in compliance with the instructions described in paragraph 2 of referenced AS 355 ASB No. 62.00.26.

3.3. From the effective date of this AD Revision 2, before installation on aircraft, of a main rotor heads held as spare, install a stop stud at the bottom of each frequency adapter per MOD 076221, in compliance with the instructions described in paragraph 2 of referenced AS 355 ASB No. 62.00.26.

REF.: EUROCOPTER AS 355 Alert Telex No. 05.00.37 R2

EUROCOPTER AS 355 Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.26.

This Revision 3 replaces AD 2001-558-064(A) R2 dated February 06, 2002.

EFFECTIVE DATES:

Original AD: On receipt of the telegraphic AD issued on NOVEMBER 12, 2001

Revision 1: On receipt from NOVEMBER 28, 2001

Revision 2: On receipt from FEBRUARY 06, 2002

Revision 3: On receipt from MAY 15, 2002