Summary
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France model helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing the aluminum tail rotor (T/R) blade pitch control shaft with a steel T/R blade pitch control shaft. This proposed AD is prompted by an incident involving a Eurocopter France Model AS-365N2 helicopter on which there was a loss of control of the T/R due to a broken shaft. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the T/R blade pitch control shaft, loss of T/R control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.