AD 2001-26-55 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350BA, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N Helicopters

Models named: AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350BA, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350BA, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters, certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent failure of the tail rotor blade (blade), which could result in severe vibration, loss of the tail rotor gearbox, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) Before further flight, and thereafter before the first flight of each day or at intervals not to exceed 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever occurs first, visually check both sides (front and back) of each blade skin in the area of the trailing edge tab for a crack as shown in Area A of Figure 1 of this AD. BILLING CODE 4910-13-U ER11fe02.000 (b) The visual check required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be performed by an owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate, with a maintenance record entry made in the aircraft records to include this AD number and paragraph (a) compliance date and aircraft TIS; time next due for paragraph (a) compliance; and name, certificate number, and type of certificate held by the person performing the visual check. (c) If in doubt about the existence of a crack in the blade skin, clean the area and then inspect with a 6× or higher magnifying glass. (d) If a crack is visible in the caulking, remove the caulking with 200-grit abrasive paper, taking care not to sand the skin. Inspect the blade skin for a crack using a 6× or higher magnifying glass. (e) If a crack is found in the blade skin, replace the blade with an airworthy blade before further flight. Note 2: Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 05.00.40 and 05.00.38, dated December 17, 2001, pertains to the subject of this AD. (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group. Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Regulations Group. (g) Special flight permits will not be issued. (h) This amendment becomes effective on February 26, 2002, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2001-26-55, issued December 27, 2001, which contained the requirements of this amendment. Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France), AD No. T2001-640-089(A) and T2001-641-067(A), dated December 20, 2001. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 17, 2002. David A. Downey, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 02-2424 Filed 2-8-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-C