AD 2008-21-10 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332 C, L, L1 and L2 Helicopters

Models named: AS332C, L, L1, L2. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Models AS332C, L, L1, and L2 helicopters, with a hydraulic pump made by Messier-Bugatti, part number C24160-X, C24160-XXX, C241600XX, C241600XX-X, and C241600XX-XXX, with a serial number without the suffix letter “V”, listed in paragraph 1.A.1., of Eurocopter France Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 01.00.73, dated August 23, 2007 (ASB) installed, certificated in any category. Note: The letter “V” is a suffix marked after the serial number on the pump's identification plate to signify that the pump has been determined to conform to the approved design data. Reason (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: “This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following two cases of LH hydraulic power system loss on two AS332 helicopters. In both cases, the pilot received the `low level' hydraulic failure alarm. The investigations conducted on the two helicopters revealed a hydraulic fluid leak from the hydraulic pump casing. In both cases, incorrect position of the liner of the compensating piston had caused the seals to deteriorate. This incorrect positioning of the liner is due to non-compliant application of the repair process by a repair station. Deterioration of hydraulic pumps causes: • The loss of the RH and LH hydraulic power systems in the event of a substantial hydraulic fluid leak from both hydraulic pumps during a given flight. • The loss of the hydraulic system concerned, in the event of a substantial hydraulic fluid leak from only one pump.” This AD requires actions that are intended to address this unsafe condition.

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS), determine the part number and serial number of the installed hydraulic pumps. If the serial number of both the hydraulic pumps are listed in paragraph 1.A.1. of the ASB, before further flight, replace at least one of the pumps with an airworthy pump with a serial number other than one listed in paragraph 1.A.1 of the ASB or one with a serial number containing the letter “V”. Replace the pump by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2. B. of the ASB, except this AD does not require you to return the hydraulic pump to the manufacturer. (2) Within the next 12 months, replace all remaining hydraulic pumps having a serial number listed in paragraph 1.A.1 of the ASB by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B. of the ASB, except this AD does not require you to return the hydraulic pump to the manufacturer. Differences Between This AD and the MCAI (f) We do not require the operator to return the hydraulic pump to the manufacturer nor do we require any action on non-installed hydraulic pumps. Also, we changed “flying hours” to “hours time-in-service.”

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS), determine the part number and serial number of the installed hydraulic pumps. If the serial number of both the hydraulic pumps are listed in paragraph 1.A.1. of the ASB, before further flight, replace at least one of the pumps with an airworthy pump with a serial number other than one listed in paragraph 1.A.1 of the ASB or one with a serial number containing the letter “V”. Replace the pump by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2. B. of the ASB, except this AD does not require you to return the hydraulic pump to the manufacturer. (2) Within the next 12 months, replace all remaining hydraulic pumps having a serial number listed in paragraph 1.A.1 of the ASB by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B. of the ASB, except this AD does not require you to return the hydraulic pump to the manufacturer. Differences Between This AD and the MCAI (f) We do not require the operator to return the hydraulic pump to the manufacturer nor do we require any action on non-installed hydraulic pumps. Also, we changed “flying hours” to “hours time-in-service.”