AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

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 EC 120 Series Helicopters

AD/EC 120/11 Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Damp AD/EC 120/11 Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Damper 2/2004

AD/EC 120/11 Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Damper 2/2004

DM

Applicability: EC 120B model helicopters all serial numbers up to and including 1362. Requirement: Inspect the tail rotor drive shaft damper for correct installation in accordance with

Eurocopter Alert Telex Number 65A004.

Note: DGAC Airworthiness Directive U F-2003-465 refers

Compliance: Unless previously accomplished:

Helicopters having less than 500 flying hours time in service since new; prior to exceeding 550 flying hours time in service since new.

2. Helicopters having more than 500 flying hours time in service since new; within 50 flying hours time in service from the effective date of this directive.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 January 2004.

Background: This directive has been issued in response to a report of a tail rotor drive shaft damper being found incorrectly assembled. The damper half clamps were found to be fouling and scoring the drive shaft. Continued operation of the helicopter in that condition may have resulted in the failure of the drive shaft.

David Villiers

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 7 January 2004