AD 2013-05-23

final rule
Data completeness: 70%

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AD Number
2013-05-23
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Docket No. FAA-2012-0795
FR Citation
78 FR 17076

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft Eurocopter France Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Unsafe Condition

Premature deterioration of the main rotor head (MRH) swash-plate upper bearing (bearing) leading to a non-smooth point (friction point), which could result in overloading the scissor links, failure of the scissors links, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Required Actions

Inspect the MRH bearing for a non-smooth point (friction point). If a friction point is found, replace the MRH with an airworthy MRH. If no friction point is found, inspect the grease expelled from the MRH swash-plate for metal particles. If metal particles are found, replace the MRH with an airworthy MRH. If no metal particles are found, measure the force required to rotate the MRH swash-plate and inspect certain MRH swash-plate assemblies for vertical play in the bearing to determine the airworthiness of the MRH.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

Within 5 hours time in service (TIS)

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Affected Aircraft

Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters with main rotor head (MRH) part numbers 332A31-0001-05 or 332A31-0001-06, and serial numbers M172, M216, M261, M308, M547, M677, M811, M936, M561, M859, M935, M938, and M942, having logged less than 275 flight hours since the last overhaul or repair of the MRH.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

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