AD 86-19-15 R1

86-19-15 R1 SOCIETE NATIONALE INDUSTRIELLE AEROSPATIALE (SNIAS): Amendment 39-5470. Applies to Aerospatiale Model AS 350 and AS 355 series helicopters, certificated in any category.

Compliance is required as indicted unless already accomplished.

To prevent failure of the main rotor head sleeves, accomplish the following:

(a) For AS 350B and AS 350D helicopters, accomplish the following:

(1) Within the next 100 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, replace, with serviceable parts, those main rotor head sleeves (Part Numbers (P/N) 350A31.1831.00, .01, .04, .05, .06, and .07) which have 3,900 or more hours' time in service.

(2) For those main rotor head sleeves having less than 3,900 hours' time in service on the effective date of this AD, replace with serviceable parts before 4,000 hours' time in service.

(b) For AS 355 series helicopters, accomplish the following:

(1) Within the next 100 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, replace, with serviceable parts, those main rotor head sleeves (P/N's 350A31.1831.04, .05, .06, and .07) which have 1,400 or more hours' time in service.

(2) For those main rotor head sleeves having less than 1,400 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, replace with serviceable parts before 1,500 hours' time in service.

(c) In the event of sudden or repeated occurrence of a severe tracking defect, accomplish the following before the next flight:

(1) Remove blades and visually check to determine if outboard sleeve bushes are separated; and

(2) If bush separation is found, remove and replace sleeves.

(d) An alternate method of compliance with this AD, which provides an equivalent level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Aircraft Certification Division, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 1689, Fort Worth, Texas 76101, or by the Manager, Aircraft Certification Office, AEU-100, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, c/o American Embassy, Brussels, Belgium.

(e) In accordance with FAR sections 21.197 and 21.199, flight is permitted to a base where the maintenance required by this AD may be accomplished. NOTE: Aerospatiale Telex Services 01.13 and 01.16 and French AD's 86-35-28(B) and 86-57-44(B) pertain to this subject.

This amendment becomes effective December 18, 1986, as to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 86-19-15 issued September 24, 1986, which contained this amendment.