Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters

AD/DAUPHIN/27  Amdt 6  Tail Rotor Blades 10/2004  DM

Applicability: Model SA 365 N1 helicopters, and AS 365 N2, and N3 helicopters, equipped with tail rotor blade part numbers:

• 365A33-2131-all dash numbers,
• 365A12-0010-all dash numbers,
• 365A12-0020-all dash numbers.

Background: This Directive was prompted by an in-flight incident affecting a tail rotor blade on a Model SA 366 G1 helicopter.
Amendment 1 expanded affected blade applicability.
Amendment 2 further expanded affected blade applicability, amplified initial inspection requirement, and changed the periodicity of the -0010 blades.
Amendment 3 reflected revisions of Requirement document and related DGAC AD.
Amendment 4 changed the acceptance criteria applicable to skin debonding, and inspection interval for part number 365A12-0020-02 blades.
Amendment 5 was prompted by an accident caused by fatigue failure of the Kevlar tie bar of a tail rotor blade.
Amendment 6 is issued in response to a new DGAC AD, which was prompted by reports of two further cases of skin debonding on tail rotor blades on helicopters operated in hot climatic conditions or in tropical and damp atmosphere. This Directive reinforces monitoring measures for blades operating in normal climatic conditions and introduces new monitoring measures for blades operated in hot climatic conditions or in tropical and damp atmosphere.

FMI: http://casa.gov.au/avreg/aircraft/ad/ADfiles/Rotor/DAUPHIN/dauphin-027.pdf