AD FAA-2011-1285

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO- 105LS A-1, BO-105LS A-3, and BO-105S helicopters. This AD requires inspecting for debonding of the erosion protective shell (abrasion strip) on the leading edge of each main rotor blade. This AD was prompted by the discovery of abrasion strip debonding during an inspection on one Model BO-105 helicopter and also by an incident on a second Model BO-105 helicopter that lost its abrasion strip in-flight. The actions of this AD are intended to detect debonding of the main rotor blade abrasion strip, which could lead to an unbalanced main rotor, high vibrations, damage to the tail boom or tail rotor, and loss of control of the helicopter.