AD 2008-05-15 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC130 B4 Helicopters

Models named: EC130 B4. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Model EC130 B4 helicopters, with a tail rotor drive center section shaft, part number (P/N) 350A340202; and bearing, P/N 593404, certificated in any category. Reason (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following the discovery of several cases of loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange attachment of the tail rotor drive center section shaft. In one case, this loosening of rivets was associated with a crack in the tube which started from a loosened-rivet hole. These occurrences can lead to failure of the tail rotor drive center section shaft.

Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever occurs first, unless already done, do the following actions. (1) Inspect for cracks or loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange attachment of the tail rotor drive center section shaft and inspect the perpendicularity of bearing No. 1 in compliance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 65A002, dated November 16, 2005 (ASB). (2) If a crack or loosened rivet is found, replace the tail rotor drive center section shaft before further flight. (3) If the out-of perpendicularity of the bearing is more than 0.1 mm, apply the corrective procedure described in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., of the ASB. Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI (f) None.

Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever occurs first, unless already done, do the following actions. (1) Inspect for cracks or loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange attachment of the tail rotor drive center section shaft and inspect the perpendicularity of bearing No. 1 in compliance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 65A002, dated November 16, 2005 (ASB). (2) If a crack or loosened rivet is found, replace the tail rotor drive center section shaft before further flight. (3) If the out-of perpendicularity of the bearing is more than 0.1 mm, apply the corrective procedure described in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., of the ASB. Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI (f) None.