Airworthiness Directive 2002-08-16
one-timeAirworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA341G, SA342J, and SA-360C Helicopters
What this AD requires
This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. That AD currently requires replacing each affected unairworthy main rotor head torsion tie bar (tie bar) with an airworthy tie bar and revising the limitations section of the maintenance manual by adding a life limit for certain tie bars. This amendment requires additional revisions to the limitations section of the maintenance manual by further reducing the life limit for certain tie bars. This amendment is prompted by an accident involving an ECF Model SA341G helicopter due to the failure of a tie bar. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of a tie bar, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Which aircraft AD 2002-08-16 applies to
Removes main rotor tie bars P/N 341A31-4904-00/-01/-02/-03 and 360A31-1097-02/-03 from service; establishes age/hours-based life limits (7 yrs, 300-600 hrs TIS) for tie bar P/N 341A31-4933-00/-01, per Eurocopter France Alert Telex Nos. 01.29R1 and 01.39R1 dated Dec 11, 2001; specific model applicability not stated in the extracted text.
Whether AD 2002-08-16 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.