Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and EC130 B4 Helicopters
airworthiness · Rule · Final rule; request for comments. · Published 2002-03-20 · Effective 2002-04-04 · 67 FR 12856
Document
Document number
02-6627
Federal Register citation
67 FR 12856
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule; request for comments.
Category
airworthiness
Publication date
2002-03-20
Effective date
2002-04-04
FAA docket
Docket No. 2002-SW-09-AD
Abstract
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-03-52, sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter France (ECF) helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires checking for a gap between the adhesive bead and the metal bushing bonded on each STARFLEX star arm end (arm end) and, if a gap is found, replacing the STARFLEX with an airworthy part. This AD is prompted by reports of bonding failure between the metal bushing and the arm end that led to severe vibrations resulting in several emergency landings. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect bonding failure between the metal bushing and each arm end, severe lateral vibrations, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.