AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section. Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters AD/DAUPHIN/65 Landing Gear Brace Strut Actuator 11/2003 DM Applicability: Model AS 365 helicopters, versions N, N1, N2, and N3 fitted with main landing gear brace strut actuator P/N 19570-XXX. Requirement: Accomplish the requirements of paragraph 2.B. of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 32.00.10. Note: DGAC AD 2003-321(A) refers. Compliance: a. For actuators installed on aircraft for more than 6 years at the effective date of this Directive on aircraft which have been operated in tropical, humid or salt- laden atmospheric conditions; within 30 days after 10 September 2003. b. For actuators installed on aircraft for more than 6 years at the effective date of this Directive on aircraft which have been operated in normal climactic conditions; or for actuators installed on aircraft for more than 4 years but less than 6 years at the effective date of this Directive on aircraft operated in tropical, humid or in salt-laden atmospheric conditions; within 3 months after 10 September 2003 c. Upon the accumulation of 6 years after installation, for actuators installed on aircraft operated in normal climatic conditions. d. Upon the accumulation of 4 years after installation, for actuators installed on aircraft operated in tropical, humid or salt-laden atmospheric conditions. e. Before installation on an aircraft, for any brace strut actuator previously held as spares. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 September 2003. Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters AD/DAUPHIN/65 (continued) Background: An in-flight incident was reported where a brace strut actuator failed, because the nut that secures the end-fitting to the actuator body had suffered severe corrosion. David Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 September 2003 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2003.