AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/S-PUMA/78 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(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 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters

AD/S-PUMA/78 Amdt 1

Main Rotor Blade De-Icing System Clamps
11/2008 TX
 
Applicability:
EUROCOPTER AS332 C, C1, L and L1 helicopters, fitted with main rotor blade de-icing system distributor retaining clamps, P/N 225000-18454 or P/N D18454 with:
No batch number after the part number; or
No letter “V” marked after the part number; or
No letter “V” marked on the band of the clamp, near to the screw head.

Requirement:
1.    On helicopters equipped with a main rotor blade de-icing system distributor retaining clamp fitted with an attachment screw that is not welded to the barrel - Check the following:
-      The condition of the clamp; and
-      That the screw head does not interfere with the clamp; and
-      That there is no crack in the screw shank; and
-      That there is a lock-wiring hole in the screw head.
2.    On helicopters equipped with a main rotor blade de-icing system distributor retaining clamp fitted with an attachment screw that is welded to the barrel - Check the following:
-      The condition of the clamp; and
-      That the screw head does not interfere with the clamp; and
-      That there is no crack in the screw shank.
3.    If there is a risk of interference between the screw head and the clamp, rework the clamp.
If there is a crack in the screw shank, replace the screw.

 
 
 
If there is no lock-wiring hole in the screw head, produce a hole and lock the screw.
Action the above requirements in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of EUROCOPTER AS332 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 30.00.66R1 or later NAA approved revisions.
Note:  French DGAC Emergency AD UF-2008-029 dated 21 August 2008 refers.  This AD supersedes DGAC Emergency AD UF-2008-008.

Compliance:
For Requirement 1 - Remains unchanged as detailed in the original issue of this AD as:
For parts installed in a helicopter - Within 50 flying hours but before exceeding 3 months after 25 June 2008, unless previously accomplished.
For parts held as spares - Before installation of the parts on the helicopter.
For Requirement 2 - Within 20 flight hours or 1 month from the effective date of this AD, whichever first, unless previously accomplished.
For parts held as spares - Before installation of the parts on the helicopter.
For Requirement 3 - Before further flight after the effective date of this AD.
For parts held as spares - Before installation of the parts on the helicopter.

 
This Amendment becomes effective on 29 August 2008.

Background:
This AD is issued in response to two cases of failure of the screw that secures the main rotor blade de-icing system distributor retaining clamp.  The examinations carried out on these screws have revealed that these failures were the result of assembly stress in the screw head.
In addition, in some cases, it was found that the lock-wiring hole was missing from the screw head, making it impossible to ensure additional security using lock-wiring between the screw head and the nut.
Failure of the clamp attachment screw can lead to damage to the main or tail rotor blades, and is a risk for persons on the ground.
This amendment includes a change to the applicability section to include those attachment screws that are welded to the barrel, and to cover the absence of a part number on some clamps.

 
 
 
The original issue of this AD became effective on 25 June 2008.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
25 August 2008