AD 2009-22-10 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (ECF) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, SA330F, SA330G, and SA330J Helicopters

Models named: AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, SA330F, SA330G, and SA330J helicopters with a main rotor blade (blade) de-icing system distributor retaining clamp (clamp), part number (P/N) 225000-18454, or P/N D18454, installed, certificated in any category. Reason (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states that there have been two cases of failure of the screw that secures the blade clamp. Examination revealed that these failures were the result of assembly stress in the screw head and nonconforming hardness of the affected screws. Also, in some cases, the lock-wiring hole was missing from the screw head making it impossible to install safety wire between the screw head and the nut.

Inspect each clamp within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), without exceeding 3 months, for each clamp with an attachment screw that is not welded to the barrel, or within 20 hours TIS, without exceeding 1 month, for each clamp with an attachment screw that is welded to the barrel as follows, unless already accomplished: (1) Remove the clamp from the distributor, as depicted in Figure 2 and by following paragraph 2.B.2.a. of the Accomplishment Instructions, in Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 30.00.66, Revision 1, dated August 21, 2008 (ASB 332) for the Model AS332 C, C1, L, L1 helicopters or Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 30.20, Revision 1, dated August 21, 2008 (ASB 330) for the Model SA330 J, F, and G helicopters. Note: The service bulletin references 3 documents: No. 30.00.66 for Model AS332 helicopters, No. 30.00.26 for Model AS532 helicopters, and No. 30.20 for Model SA330 helicopters. This AD does not reference No. 30.00.26 because the Model AS532 helicopters are not type certificated in the United States. 14 CFR part 39 only allows the FAA to issue ADs against type certificated products. (2) Measure the clearance between the screw head and the clamp as depicted in Figure 1 and by following paragraph 2.B.2.b. of the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 332 or ASB 330, as appropriate for your model helicopter. If the clearance is less than 1 millimeter, rework the clamp until the clearance is between 1 and 2 millimeters. (3) Inspect the screw for a crack and for a safety-wire hole in the head of the screw as depicted in Figure 2 and by following paragraph 2.B.2.c. of the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 332 or ASB 330, as appropriate for your model helicopter. (i) If there is a crack in the screw, before further flight, replace the screw. (ii) If there is no safety-wire hole in the head of the screw, before further flight, either replace the screw with a screw having a safety wire hole or drill a hole as depicted in Figure 2, Detail D, of either ASB 332 or ASB 330, as appropriate for your model helicopter. (4) If there is a P/N on the clamp, vibro-engrave the letter “V” after the P/N on the band of the clamp, as depicted in Detail G of Figure 4 of either ASB 332 or ASB 330, as appropriate for your model helicopter. If there is no P/N marked on the clamp, vibro-engrave the letter “V” on the band of the clamp near to the screw head. (5) Safety the clamp as shown in Figure 3 of either ASB 332 or ASB 330, as appropriate for your model helicopter. Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD (f) We refer to the actions required by the AD as inspections rather than checks. Other Information (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management Group, ATTN: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, J. R. Holton, Jr., ASW-112, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-4964, fax (817) 222-5961, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (h) EASA AD No. 2009-0003R1, dated January 13, 2009. Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code (i) JASC Code 3000, Ice and Rain Protection System. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use the specified portions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 30.00.66 for the AS332 Model C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters and No. 30.20 for the Model J, F, and G helicopters, both Revision 1, both dated August 21, 2008, to do the actions required. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com . (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd.; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 21, 2009. Mark R. Schilling, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9-26118 Filed 12-11-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Inspect each clamp within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), without exceeding 3 months, for each clamp with an attachment screw that is not welded to the barrel, or within 20 hours TIS, without exceeding 1 month, for each clamp with an attachment screw that is welded to the barrel as follows, unless already accomplished: (1) Remove the clamp from the distributor, as depicted in Figure 2 and by following paragraph 2.B.2.a. of the Accomplishment Instructions, in Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 30.00.66, Revision 1, dated August 21, 2008 (ASB 332) for the Model AS332 C, C1, L, L1 helicopters or Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 30.20, Revision 1, dated August 21, 2008 (ASB 330) for the Model SA330 J, F, and G helicopters. Note: The service bulletin references 3 documents: No. 30.00.66 for Model AS332 helicopters, No. 30.00.26 for Model AS532 helicopters, and No. 30.20 for Model SA330 helicopters. This AD does not reference No. 30.00.26 because the Model AS532 helicopters are not type certificated in the United States. 14 CFR part 39 only allows the FAA to issue ADs against type certificated products. (2) Measure the clearance between the screw head and the clamp as depicted in Figure 1 and by following paragraph 2.B.2.b. of the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 332 or ASB 330, as appropriate for your model helicopter. If the clearance is less than 1 millimeter, rework the clamp until the clearance is between 1 and 2 millimeters. (3) Inspect the screw for a crack and for a safety-wire hole in the head of the screw as depicted in Figure 2 and by following paragraph 2.B.2.c. of the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 332 or ASB 330, as appropriate for your model helicopter. (i) If there is a crack in the screw, before further flight, replace the screw. (ii) If there is no safety-wire hole in the head of the screw, before further flight, either replace the screw with a screw having a safety wire hole or drill a hole as depicted in Figure 2, Detail D, of either ASB 332 or ASB 330, as appropriate for your model helicopter. (4) If there is a P/N on the clamp, vibro-engrave the letter “V” after the P/N on the band of the clamp, as depicted in Detail G of Figure 4 of either ASB 332 or ASB 330, as appropriate for your model helicopter. If there is no P/N marked on the clamp, vibro-engrave the letter “V” on the band of the clamp near to the screw head. (5) Safety the clamp as shown in Figure 3 of either ASB 332 or ASB 330, as appropriate for your model helicopter. Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD (f) We refer to the actions required by the AD as inspections rather than checks. Other Information (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management Group, ATTN: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, J. R. Holton, Jr., ASW-112, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-4964, fax (817) 222-5961, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (h) EASA AD No. 2009-0003R1, dated January 13, 2009. Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code (i) JASC Code 3000, Ice and Rain Protection System. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use the specified portions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 30.00.66 for the AS332 Model C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters and No. 30.20 for the Model J, F, and G helicopters, both Revision 1, both dated August 21, 2008, to do the actions required. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com . (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd.; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 21, 2009. Mark R. Schilling, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E9-26118 Filed 12-11-09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P