Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-24-04 for Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. AD 2008-24-04 requires repetitively inspecting the lubricating pump and checking the magnetic chip detector plug (chip detector) and the main gearbox (MGB) oil-sight glass. Since the FAA issued AD 2008-24-04, Airbus Helicopters has developed an alteration of the MGB oil flow distribution that corrects the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2008-24-04 and would allow the option of altering the MGB oil flow distribution as a terminating action for the inspections. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.