AD NUMBER: 2012-18-08

PRODUCT: Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters.
SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2012-18-08
ACTION: Final Rule

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to require cleaning, inspecting, and lubricating each tangential gearbox (gearbox) and
adjusting, as necessary, the fuel shut-off control lever, on the products listed above.

This AD was prompted by the jamming of one of two fuel shut-off control levers because of solidified grease in the gearbox. A companion gearbox had extensive corrosion. In case of an emergency, pilots may need to use the control levers to shut off fuel going into the engine and to shut off the helicopter's electrical power system. The jamming of the levers prevents the shut off of the engine fuel and prevents the parallel-mounted micro switches from switching off the electrical power system.

These actions are intended to prevent the jamming of the control levers, which could prevent shut-off of the engine fuel and electrical power system during an emergency shutdown.

DATES: This AD is effective October 24, 2012.

FMI: AD