Eurocopter Issues Airworthiness Directive for Certain Helicopter Models

Summary

Eurocopter France has issued an airworthiness directive for its Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters, requiring pilots to limit their speed to 150 Knots Indicated Air Speed and install cockpit placards to prevent horizontal stabilizer failures. The directive was prompted by recent failures of the stabilizers on AS 365 N3 helicopters, which were caused by a vibration phenomenon during high-speed descent flights.