Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17630 · Fuselage, equipment attach fittings
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
This AD applies to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 P1, EC135 P2, EC135 P2+, EC135 T1, EC135 T2, and EC135 T2+ helicopters with a Goodrich Corporation (Goodrich) external mounted hoist system (hoist) with boom support assembly (boom) Part Number (P/N) 44301-500, 44307-500, or 44307-500-1 installed, and Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with a Goodrich hoist with boom P/N 44307-500 installed, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 P1, EC135 P2, EC135 P2+, EC135 T1, EC135 T2, EC135 T2+, and MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with a certain external mounted hoist system (hoist) with boom support assembly (boom) installed. This AD requires inspecting the boom for a crack and, if a crack exists, replacing the boom with an airworthy boom. Until the boom is inspected, this AD requires, before further flight, and thereafter before the first flight of each day, checking the hoist for a crack. This AD was prompted by cracks found on the boom during a pre-flight check of a hoist on an MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopter. The actions of this AD are intended to detect a crack and prevent failure of the boom, loss of the boom and attached loads, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.
(1) Before further flight, and thereafter before the first flight of each day until you have performed the inspection required by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, clean the hoist and visually check for a crack, paying particular attention to the areas that are circled as depicted in Figure 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD. The actions required by this paragraph may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate, and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(2) Within 30 days, perform a dye penetrant inspection of the boom in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Section 2.D, of the Goodrich Service Bulletin 44307-500-03, Revision 2, dated April 30, 2010 (SB).
Note 1 to paragraph (e)(2) of this AD: A copy of the SB is attached to Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) EC135-85A-036, Revision 2, and Eurocopter EASB MBB BK117 C-2-85A-024, Revision 1, both dated June 23, 2010.
(3) If a crack exists in the boom, replace the cracked boom with an airworthy boom before further flight.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
