AD 75-26-02

75-26-02 SOCIETE NATIONALE INDUSTRIELLE AEROSPATIALE, (S.N.I.A.S., formerly Sud Aviation). Amendment 39-2454. Applies to Aerospatiale Alouette III Helicopter Models SA-315B, SE-3160, SA-316B, SA-316C, and SA-319B, certificated in all categories, incorporating main rotor heads P/N's 3160S. 12.10.000.11 through .14, P/N's 3160S. 12.20.000.4 through .7, P/N's 3160S.12.10.000.1 through .10 modified in accordance with Modification No. S296-AM 1108 or Alouette Service Bulletin No. 65-52, or P/N's 3160S.12.20.000.1 through .3 modified in accordance with Modification No. S296-AM 1108 or Alouette Service Bulletin No. 65-52.

Compliance is required as indicated, unless already accomplished.

To prevent failure of the fixed levers of the main rotor head hydraulic drag dampers, accomplish the following:

(a) Upon the effective date of this AD, and thereafter once on each day of operation, until accomplishment of paragraph (c) of this AD, visually inspect each of the three hydraulicdamper fixed levers for cracks in the area of the eccentric attachment hole.

(b) If cracks are found in any hydraulic damper fixed levers, before further flight, replace the cracked hydraulic damper fixed lever with a serviceable unit of the same part number.

(c) Within the next 100 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, remove the three hydraulic drag dampers from the main rotor head, inspect, rectify as necessary, and reinstall in accordance with subparagraph 1C of Lama Service Bulletin No. 65.15, dated September 23, 1974, for Model SA-315B, or subparagraph 1C of Alouette Service Bulletin No. 65.101, dated September 23, 1974, for the other designated models, or an FAA-approved equivalent of the applicable Service Bulletin.

This amendment becomes effective December 23, 1975.