Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16101 · Eurocopter France Model EC225LP Helicopters
Eurocopter France Model EC225LP Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2012-01-03. Comply with the one in force.
Model EC225LP helicopters with an epicyclic reduction gear module (module), part number 332A32-5021-01M, installed, certificated in any category.
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-09-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC225LP helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before further flight, determining if the "CHIP" detector light on the instrument panel (Vehicle Monitoring System Screen) previously illuminated. If the "CHIP" detector light did illuminate and it illuminated because of a metal particle on the magnetic plug of the epicyclic reduction gear module (module) of the main gearbox (MGB), or if you cannot determine from the maintenance records which chip detector caused the "CHIP" detector light to illuminate or whether the detector light stayed illuminated after the "CHIP" detector switch was turned to the "CHIP PULSE" setting, replacing the module with an airworthy module is required before further flight. Also required before further flight is inspecting the MGB module magnetic chip detector electrical circuit and determining whether the system is functioning properly, including whether the "CHIP" detector light annunciates on the instrument panel (Vehicle Monitoring System Screen). Finally, this AD requires replacing the module with an airworthy module if the "CHIP" detector light illuminates, stays illuminated after the "CHIP" detector switch is turned to the "CHIP PULSE" setting, and you determine that a metal particle on the module magnetic plug caused that illumination. This amendment is prompted by a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. EASA notified us of an accident that occurred April 1, 2009 on a Eurocopter Model AS332L2 helicopter and EASA advises that the "cause of the accident seems to be connected with degradation of the epicyclic module of the MGB, the root cause of which is still to be determined." The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent failure of the main gearbox (MGB) and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before further flight:
(1) Determine from the maintenance records whether, within the last 200 hours time-in-service (TIS), the “CHIP” detector light illuminated because of a metal particle on the magnetic plug of the module, and if so, whether the “CHIP” detector light stayed illuminated after the chip detector switch was turned to the “CHIP PULSE” setting to activate the “fuzz burn-off” feature. If those records indicate that the “CHIP” detector light illuminated because of a metal particle on the magnetic plug of the module, and the “CHIP” detector light stayed illuminated after the chip detector switch was turned to the “CHIP PULSE” setting, replace the module with an airworthy module before further flight. If you cannot determine from the maintenance records which chip detector caused the “CHIP” detector light to illuminate or whether the detector light stayed illuminated after the “CHIP” detector switch was turned to the “CHIP PULSE” setting, replace the module with an airworthy module before further flight. A module with a magnetic plug that attracted a metal particle which activated the “CHIP” detector light within the last 200 hours TIS and was not extinguished when the “CHIP PULSE” was activated is unairworthy.
(2) Inspect the MGB module magnetic chip detector electrical circuit and determine whether the system is functioning properly, including whether the “CHIP” detector light annunciates on the instrument panel (Vehicle Monitoring System Screen).
(b) Thereafter, if the “CHIP” detector light illuminates, stays illuminated after the “CHIP” detector switch is turned to the “CHIP PULSE” setting, and you determine that a metal particle on the module magnetic plug (rather than the main reduction gear (lower MGB), the flared housing (mast assembly), the intermediate gearbox (IGB), or the tail rotor gearbox (TGB)) caused the “CHIP” detector light to illuminate, replace the module with an airworthy module.
(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, ATTN: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, Fort Worth, Texas 76137-0111, telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
