Airworthiness Directive 2001-04-14
one-timeAirworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N Helicopters
What this AD requires
This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale (currently Eurocopter France) Model AS350 and AS355 series helicopters that currently requires inspecting the fuselage frame (frame) for a crack at the fuselage-to-tailboom interface and replacing or repairing, as necessary. That AD also requires a fastener torque check and retorquing, as necessary. This amendment retains the requirements of the existing AD but would increase the inspection interval from 1,200 hours time-in-service (TIS) to 2,500 hours or 6 years TIS, whichever occurs first. This amendment revises the time interval for inspecting the frame at the fuselage-to-tailboom interface to coincide with the inspection interval specified in the maintenance manual. The actions specified by this AD are intended to eliminate confusion and unnecessary costs and to prevent a cracked frame, tailboom failure, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Which aircraft AD 2001-04-14 applies to
Cross-reference boilerplate only; model list precedes excerpt and was not captured. Text cites 'Aerospatiale Service Bulletins AS 355 No. 05.14 and AS 350 No. 05.16', identifying the AS350/AS355 model families. Requires inspecting the fuselage-to-tailboom attachment bolts for proper torque and the frame (P/N 350A21-1247-00) for cracking at the fuselage-to-tailboom interface within 30 hours TIS and thereafter every 2,500 hours or 6 years; corrective torque/replacement actions specified by measured torque value.
Whether AD 2001-04-14 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.
How AD compliance is recorded
A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:
Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.
Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.