Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 helicopters. This AD requires, at specified time intervals, visually inspecting the main rotor blade sleeve yoke (sleeve) for cracks, corrosion, fretting, or bonding separation; the bearing surface of the metal bushing (bushing) for fretting or cracks; and the sleeve-to-damper attachment bolt (bolt) for corrosion and deterioration of the fluorimid varnish coating. Replacing any cracked or nonairworthy sleeve, bushing, or bolt is also required before further flight. This AD is prompted by the discovery of extensive deterioration of the fluorimid varnish coating on the bolt; cracks in the bushing; and fretting and corrosion of the sleeve. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect corrosion and cracks in the yoke, which could result in separation of the blade damper assembly and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.