AD/EC 135/3 - Tail Boom Bearing Supports (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Eurocopter EC 135 Series Helicopters

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 CAR 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 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.

AD/EC 135/3 Tail Boom Bearing Supports 2/2000

Applicability: All Model EC 135 helicopters, serial numbers 0001 through 0074.

Requirement: Initial and repeat inspections of the tail boom supports in accordance with Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-53A-004.

Note: LBA AD 1998-389 refers.

Compliance: Accomplish the replacement before 29 February 2000, unless already accomplished. As specified in the Requirement document for the repetitive inspection requirement.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 24 February 2000.

Background: Some of the bearing supports on the tailboom were found to be out of alignment and/or not perpendicular to the drive shaft axis. In addition, a number of the current bearing supports have proved to be susceptible to corrosion and cracking.

Eugene Paul Holzapfel Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 January 2000