Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 82- 20-05 for Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale (now Airbus Helicopters) Model AS-350 and AS-355 series helicopters. AD 82-20-05 requires inspecting and establishing a life limit for the tail rotor (TR) drive shaft bearing (bearing). Since the FAA issued AD 82-20-05, inconsistencies have been identified between inspections and maintenance actions required by ADs and inspections and maintenance actions specified in the applicable maintenance manual. This proposed AD would require replacing certain part-numbered TR bearings with one part-numbered bearing and repetitively inspecting one part-numbered bearing. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.