AD 2008-02-10 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 355 F2 and AS 355 N Helicopters

Models named: AS 355 F2, AS 355 N. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Eurocopter Model AS 355 F2 and AS 355 N helicopters, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. Reason (d) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) states: This emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following a report of yaw control restricted travel in operation following the replacement of the load compensator. If not corrected, this condition could lead to the loss of control of the helicopter. Investigation revealed that the load compensator lever was incorrectly referenced in the Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC). Levers on helicopters Post-MOD 072065 (replacement of the load compensator hydraulic actuator) should be Part Number (P/N) 355A27-0082-00 and levers on helicopters Pre-MOD 072065 should be P/N 355A27-0072-00. This AD mandates inspection to identify the load compensator lever and the hydraulic actuator assembly installed on helicopters, to verify their compatibility and replacement of improper P/Ns when an incompatibility is found.

Unless already done, do the following: (1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), determine the part number (P/N) and the compatibility of the load compensator lever (compensator level) and the hydraulic actuator assembly (hydraulic actuator) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.B.1. through 2.B.2.c. of Eurocopter AS 355 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 67.00.29, Revision 1, April 27, 2007 (ASB). Note: Instead of inspecting the rotorcraft, a review of the helicopter maintenance records along with any other applicable data (rotorcraft logbook, components list, etc.) is acceptable if each P/N can be positively determined from that review. (2) For helicopters, Pre-Mod 072065, with an incompatible hydraulic actuator, P/N 355A75-1370-01 or P/N 355A75-1370-03, and compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00: (i) If the helicopter has NOT been operated with compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00, installed, replace the compensator lever before further flight with an airworthy compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00. (ii) If the helicopter has been operated with compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00, installed, within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS): (A) Remove the load compensator assembly and the compensator lever, measure the diameters of the bores, inspect the swivel bearings, replace the specified hydraulic actuator components and the incompatible compensator lever and install the load compensator assembly in accordance with the applicable steps in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3.b. of the ASB. (B) If the diameter of a bore is greater than the tolerances specified in the applicable steps in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3.b., of the ASB, replace each part that contains an out-of-tolerance bore diameter with an airworthy part that contains a bore diameter that is within the specified tolerances. (3) For helicopters, Post-MOD 072065, with an incompatible hydraulic actuator, P/N 355A75-1370-02 or P/N 355A75-1370-04, and compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00: (i) If the helicopter has NOT been operated with compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00, installed, replace the compensator lever before further flight with an airworthy compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00. (ii) If the helicopter has been operated with compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00, installed, within the next 10 hours TIS, replace the compensator lever with an airworthy compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00, and inspect the bolts in accordance with the applicable steps in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3.b.of the ASB. (f) No person shall install a: (1) Load compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00, on any Model AS 355 N or AS 355 F2 helicopter Pre-MOD 072065, with hydraulic actuator assembly, P/N 355A75-1370-01 or P/N 355A75-1370-03; or a (2) Load compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00, on any Model AS 355 N or AS 355 F2 helicopter Post-MOD 072065, with hydraulic actuator assembly, P/N 355A75-1370-02 or P/N 355A75-1370-04. Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI (g) The requirements of this AD must be accomplished within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. The MCAI requires accomplishment before next flight. Additionally, this AD requires that components with bore diameters outside the tolerances specified in the ASB be replaced with airworthy components with bore diameters within the specified tolerances instead of contacting the manufacturer for a “suitable repair solution.”

Unless already done, do the following: (1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), determine the part number (P/N) and the compatibility of the load compensator lever (compensator level) and the hydraulic actuator assembly (hydraulic actuator) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.B.1. through 2.B.2.c. of Eurocopter AS 355 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 67.00.29, Revision 1, April 27, 2007 (ASB). Note: Instead of inspecting the rotorcraft, a review of the helicopter maintenance records along with any other applicable data (rotorcraft logbook, components list, etc.) is acceptable if each P/N can be positively determined from that review. (2) For helicopters, Pre-Mod 072065, with an incompatible hydraulic actuator, P/N 355A75-1370-01 or P/N 355A75-1370-03, and compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00: (i) If the helicopter has NOT been operated with compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00, installed, replace the compensator lever before further flight with an airworthy compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00. (ii) If the helicopter has been operated with compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00, installed, within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS): (A) Remove the load compensator assembly and the compensator lever, measure the diameters of the bores, inspect the swivel bearings, replace the specified hydraulic actuator components and the incompatible compensator lever and install the load compensator assembly in accordance with the applicable steps in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3.b. of the ASB. (B) If the diameter of a bore is greater than the tolerances specified in the applicable steps in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3.b., of the ASB, replace each part that contains an out-of-tolerance bore diameter with an airworthy part that contains a bore diameter that is within the specified tolerances. (3) For helicopters, Post-MOD 072065, with an incompatible hydraulic actuator, P/N 355A75-1370-02 or P/N 355A75-1370-04, and compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00: (i) If the helicopter has NOT been operated with compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00, installed, replace the compensator lever before further flight with an airworthy compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00. (ii) If the helicopter has been operated with compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00, installed, within the next 10 hours TIS, replace the compensator lever with an airworthy compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00, and inspect the bolts in accordance with the applicable steps in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3.b.of the ASB. (f) No person shall install a: (1) Load compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00, on any Model AS 355 N or AS 355 F2 helicopter Pre-MOD 072065, with hydraulic actuator assembly, P/N 355A75-1370-01 or P/N 355A75-1370-03; or a (2) Load compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00, on any Model AS 355 N or AS 355 F2 helicopter Post-MOD 072065, with hydraulic actuator assembly, P/N 355A75-1370-02 or P/N 355A75-1370-04. Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI (g) The requirements of this AD must be accomplished within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. The MCAI requires accomplishment before next flight. Additionally, this AD requires that components with bore diameters outside the tolerances specified in the ASB be replaced with airworthy components with bore diameters within the specified tolerances instead of contacting the manufacturer for a “suitable repair solution.”