AD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 2 - Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Forward Fairing (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 1 and issues the following 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 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 AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 2

Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Forward Fairing 5/2002

Applicability: All AS 350 B3 helicopters fitted with forward fairing part numbers: 350A23.0032.09 pre Mod 073097 350A23.1075.00 post Mod 073097

Requirement: Action in accordance with DGAC AD 2000-340-080(A) R2.

Note: Eurocopter AS 350 Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.35 refers.

Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document.

This Amendment becomes effective on 16 May 2002.

Background: The DGAC received a report of the loss of the heat shield of the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing. This AD requires inspections, and a repair, for cracks in the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing. If cracks are not detected early enough, the fairing could separate from the helicopter and become a serious safety hazard.

Amendment 1 corrected an applicability error and introduced a revision of the related DGAC AD and Telex Service documents, which clarified the modification status for the fairing inspection requirements.