Airworthiness Directive 2002-22-16
one-timeAirworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS355N Helicopters
What this AD requires
This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) helicopters. The existing AD requires visually inspecting the four engine exhaust pipe ejector (ejector) attachment lugs (lugs), the starter-generator (S-G) attachment flange (flange) and attachment half-clamps (half-clamps) for cracks, and the S-G shaft for radial play. This amendment will retain the current requirements except will not require measuring the radial play. This amendment will also require measuring each S-G engine clamp torque and vibration level and recording the S-G vibration level on a component history card or equivalent record. If the S-G vibration level is equal to or higher than 0.5 inches per second (IPS), this superseding AD requires repairing or replacing the S-G, as necessary. This amendment is prompted by additional cases of S-G damage and the need for additional corrective actions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent excessive S-G vibration, which could lead to separation of an ejector, impact with the main or tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Which aircraft AD 2002-22-16 applies to
Inspect starter-generator (S-G) attachment clamp torque before further flight and at 10-15 hrs TIS; measure/record S-G vibration levels per Eurocopter France Telex 01.00.45 Rev 3 at defined TIS intervals (Table 1) and thereafter every 110 hrs TIS; if vibration is at or above 0.5 IPS, remove/repair/replace the S-G and inspect ejector attachment lugs, clamps, and the S-G-to-engine attachment flange for cracks, repairing or replacing cracked parts before further flight.
Whether AD 2002-22-16 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.