Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 helicopters. This proposal would require inspecting for interference between the transmission flexible mounting plate (plate) and the forward and aft shims (shims), replacing shims and repairing the plate if interference is found, and inspecting the plate for a broken plate slat (slat) and repairing the plate if a broken slat is found or replacing the plate if slat damage beyond repair limits is found. This proposal is prompted by the discovery that several helicopters were manufactured with shims that did not have cutouts to permit relative motion between the plate slats and the shims without interference. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent cracking of the plate slats, increased helicopter vibration, loss of transmission mounting integrity, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.