Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC130B4 Helicopters

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC130B4 helicopters with a certain air intake cowling attachment fitting (fitting) installed. This action requires inspecting for broken or cracked forward fittings. If a broken or cracked fitting is found, inspecting the four center and aft fittings for cracks is required. Replacing broken fittings or certain cracked fittings is also required. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracked and broken fittings; one fitting failed after only 418 hours time-in-service (TIS). This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of a forward fitting, an excess load on the other fittings, which could cause them to crack and break, which could result in loss of the air intake cowling in flight, and subsequent damage or loss of control of the helicopter, or both.