I believe that the AD action was initiated after a tail rotor blade failure in a very new AS350B3 in the UK. Only the prompt landing of the aircraft prevented the "incident" from having a much more serious outcome.
I did hear some suggestions that further investigations "unearthed" some more similar incidents in Europe, but I have no details of these.
Last edited by Helinut; 22nd Aug 2002 at 23:13.