FAA Issues AD for Door on Eurocopter AS350 and AS355

The FAA has issued a final rule to adopt a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the sliding doors on the Eurocopter AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N and AS355NP. The AD does not apply to aircraft that have modification AL 4262. The AD, which requires removing specified nuts and washers from the lower ball-joint bolt, was prompted by a report of a sliding door detaching from the helicopter in flight. The actions outlined in the document are intended to prevent loss of the lower ball-joint nut, which could lead to loss of the sliding door and damage to the helicopter.