Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France)

Résumé

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2010-23- 02 for Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model SA-365N, SA- 365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. AD 2010-23-02 currently requires amending the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to limit the never-exceed velocity (VNE) to 150 Knots Indicated Air Speed (KIAS) and to add a 1,500 ft/minute rate of descent (R/D) limitation beyond 140 KIAS. Since we issued AD 2010-23-02, a design change designated as modification (MOD) 0755B28 improved the dynamic behavior of the horizontal stabilizer such that AD actions are not required. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2010-23-01 and revise the applicability to exclude helicopters with MOD 0755B28. These proposed actions are intended to exclude certain helicopters from the applicability and restrict the VNE on other helicopters to prevent failure of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.