Airworthiness Directive 2012-25-04
one-timeAirworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters
What this AD requires
We are superseding an existing emergency airworthiness directive (EAD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B3 helicopters with certain part-numbered laminated half-bearings (bearings) and tail rotor (T/R) blades installed. The existing EAD currently requires installing two placards and revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). The EAD also requires certain checks and inspecting and replacing, if necessary, all four bearings. Finally, the EAD requires a one-time removal and inspection of the bearings, and replacing the bearings if necessary. Since we issued that EAD, we have determined that newly-designed helicopters with other part-numbered T/R blades may be affected by this unsafe condition and that the requirements should allow the bearing removal and inspection to be performed before the last flight of the day. This superseding AD removes the bearing and T/R blade part numbers (P/N) from the applicability paragraph and clarifies when the bearing removal and inspection is required. The actions are intended to prevent vibration due to a failed bearing, failure of the T/R, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Which aircraft AD 2012-25-04 applies to
Applies only to AS350B3 helicopters with Modification (MOD) 07 5601 installed, commercially identified as 'AS350B3e'; not fitted on AS350B3 helicopters of other configurations. Condition is severe vibrations due to failure of laminated half-bearings, which could result in tail rotor failure.
Whether AD 2012-25-04 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.