Summary
This document proposes superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (ECF) Model AS332C, L, and L1 and Model SA330F, G, and J helicopters. That AD currently requires an inspection to determine the angular play of the tail rotor gearbox (gearbox) at specified intervals. This action would change the measurement limits and the load to be applied to a tail rotor blade (blade) when determining the angular play. This proposal is prompted by a review of design data and a determination that the amount of play can be increased with an increase in the amount of applied load during the inspection. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect excessive angular play and to prevent failure of a gearbox, loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.