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 AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters AD/ECUREUIL/91 Air Intake Cowling 11/2003 TX Applicability: Eurocopter EC 130 B4 model helicopters fitted with cowling attachment fittings P/N 350A25-0405-00, -01, -02, -03, -04 and -05. Requirement: 1. Perform a visual inspection of the two forward air intake cowling attachment fittings in accordance with the instructions contained in Section 2.B. of Eurocopter EC130 Alert Service Bulletin No. 53A004. 2. If the two forward cowling attachment fittings are neither failed nor cracked, re-inspect in accordance with the instructions contained in Section 2.B. of Eurocopter EC130 Alert Service Bulletin No. 53A004. 3. If one or both of the forward cowling attachment fittings have failed or are cracked, also check the condition the centre and aft fittings. 4. If one or more of the forward, centre or aft fittings have failed, replace them. 5. If one or more of the forward, centre or aft fittings are cracked: (i). Replace each cracked fitting which has more than 2 cracks or any fitting in which the longest crack is more than 10mm. (ii). Stop drill cracks in fittings which have 2 cracks or less and any fitting in which the longest crack is equal to or less than 10mm. Re-inspect in accordance with compliance 5(ii). Note: DGAC AD U2003-358(A) refers. Compliance: 1. For helicopters that have less than 100 flight hours, accomplish before 110 flight hours TTIS. For helicopters that have accumulated 100 hours or more at the effective date of this Directive, accomplish within 10 flight hours after 18 September 2003. 2. Repeat at intervals not to exceed 110 flight hours. 3. Before further flight. Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters AD/ECUREUIL/91 (continued) 4. Before further flight. 5. (i) Before further flight. (ii) Re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 20 flight hours. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on the 18 September 2003. Background: This Airworthiness Directive is issued following reports of cracks and failures of air intake cowling attachment fittings. Failure of one or more of the fittings may result in the loss of the air intake cowling in flight. David Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 September 2003 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18 September 2003.