FAA

Aircraft Certification Service

SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESSINFORMATION BULLETIN

http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/SAIB

SAIB: SW-07-22

Date:

March 22, 2007

This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness InformationBulletin (SAIB) alerts owners and operators of all

Eurocopter France (ECF) AS350B,AS350BA, AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2,AS350B3, AS350D (Astar) and AS355E(Twinstar) helicopters

to a potential flightsafety hazard concerning the serrated washers(part number 341A75-3000-20) on the lowerservo-control rod end-fittings on flight controlactuators. (See Figure 2)

NOTE:

The target audience for this SAIB isthe

MAINTENANCE AND PILOT

community for Eurocopter products.

Background

We have become aware of the potential forseparation of, or excessive wear on, the innertang of the serrated washers located on theservo control-rod end-fittings. This conditioncould lead to flight control disconnect andsubsequent loss of aircraft control. Two fatalaccidents have occurred after the servo-controlrod end-fitting became detached from theservo-actuator.Eurocopter issued a Telex (T.F.S. No.00000379) dated 20 March 2007 for all AS350and AS355E models concerning this issue.

Recommendations

We strongly recommend that mechanics andpilots of Eurocopter AS350 Astar and AS355ETwinstar helicopters perform the followingactions:

Maintenance Actions

•

Immediately inspect the serratedwashers on the lower servo-control rodend-fittings for condition, security andappropriate measurement, as defined inthe maintenance manual.

•

Ensure the proper torque andmeasurement, as defined in themaintenance manual, of the lowerservo-control rod end-fitting jam nut.Ensure the torque points are applied asprescribed by the maintenance manual.

•

DO NOT

use the lower servo-controlrod end-fitting as a wrench attach pointfor torque application. Whenappropriate torque is applied, hardwareshould be torque striped to ensureunintended movement is easilyidentifiable.

•

If the serrated washer appears worn,remove, discard, and replace with anew serrated washer.See Figures 1 and 2.

•

Operators are requested to reportmissing tangs or excessive serratedwasher inner tang wear and/or servo-control rod end-fitting movement to thepoint of contact (POC) listed on thisSAIB.

Pilot Actions

•

Pilots should inspect the condition andsecurity of the flight control systemduring pre-flight inspection, andimmediately report any misalignmentto maintenance personnel.