AD 2021-14-15 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter France) and Eurocopter France Helicopters

Models named: SA341G, SA342J. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters (type certificate previously held by Eurocopter France) Model SA341G and SA342J and Eurocopter France Model SA-360C helicopters, certificated in any category, with a main rotor head torsion tie bar (tie bar), part number (P/N) 341A31-4904-00, -01, -02, -03; 341A31-4933-00, -01; 360A31-1097-02, -03; or 704A33-633-270, installed.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(1) For tie bar P/N 341A31-4904-00, -01, -02, and -03; and 360A31-1097-02 and -03, before further flight after May 8, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2002-08-16), remove the tie bar from service. (2) For each tie bar P/N 341A31-4933-00 and -01: (i) Before further flight after May 8, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2002-08-16), determine the date of initial installation on any helicopter, or if the date of initial installation cannot be determined, use the date of manufacture. (A) For a tie bar that has accumulated 7 or more years since initial installation on any helicopter, within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS) after May 8, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2002-08-16), remove the tie bar from service. (B) For a tie bar manufactured before 1995 that has accumulated less than 7 years since initial installation on any helicopter, before accumulating 7 years since initial installation on any helicopter, before accumulating 300 total hours TIS, or within 1 year after May 8, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2002-08-16), whichever occurs first, remove the tie bar from service. (C) For a tie bar manufactured in 1995 or later that has accumulated less than 7 years since initial installation on any helicopter, before accumulating 7 years since initial installation on any helicopter, before accumulating 600 total hours TIS, or within 2 years after May 8, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2002-08-16), whichever occurs first, remove the tie bar from service. (ii) Thereafter following paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD, remove any tie bar P/N 341A31-4933-00 and -01 from service as follows: (A) For a tie bar manufactured before 1995, remove the tie bar from service before accumulating 300 total hours TIS or 1 year since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first, and (B) For a tie bar manufactured in 1995 or later, remove the tie bar from service before accumulating 600 total hours TIS or 2 years since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first. (3) For tie bar P/N 704A33-633-270: (i) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, determine the date of initial installation on any helicopter, or if the date of initial installation cannot be determined, use the date of manufacture. (ii) If the tie bar has accumulated 600 or more total hours TIS or 2 or more years since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first, before further flight, remove the tie bar from service. (iii) If the tie bar has accumulated less than 600 total hours TIS or 2 years since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first, remove the tie bar from service before accumulating 600 total hours TIS or 2 years since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first. (iv) Thereafter following paragraph (g)(3)(ii) or (iii) of this AD, remove any tie bar P/N 704A33-633-270 from service before accumulating 600 total hours TIS or 2 years since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first. (4) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install tie bar P/N 341A31-4904-00, -01, -02, or -03; or 360A31-1097-02 or -03, on any helicopter.

This AD was prompted by an accident caused by the failure of a tie bar. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of a tie bar, which if not addressed, could result in loss of a main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This AD replaces AD 2002-08-16, Amendment 39-12725 (67 FR 19640, April 23, 2002) (AD 2002-08-16).