Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19722 · Rotorcraft flight control
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2021-09-07. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters, certificated in any category, with any of the following installed that have, as of April 23, 2019, accumulated 6 or more years since manufacturing date or last overhaul, whichever occurs later:
(1) Longitudinal single-axis actuator part number (P/N) L673M20A1008 or P/N L673M30A2111;
(2) Collective single‐axis actuator P/N L673M20A1012, P/N L673M30A1211, or P/N E673M30A1201; or
(3) Lateral single‐axis actuator P/N L673M20A1011or P/N L673M30A2311.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting certain part-numbered actuators for corrosion, and removing them from service as necessary. This AD also requires reporting certain information to Airbus Helicopters. This AD is prompted by a hard landing of a helicopter and discovery of a ruptured and displaced tie bar inside the piston of the longitudinal single-axis actuator of the main rotor actuator (MRA). The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.
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) Within 3 days, visually inspect all external surfaces of each single-axis actuator for corrosion. Refer to Figure 1 of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-67A-039, Revision 1, dated April 23, 2019 (EASB EC135-67A-039), for example photos of single-axis actuators with corrosion. Refer to Figure 2 of EASB EC135-67A-039 for example photos of single-axis actuators without corrosion.
(i) If there is any corrosion, remove the part from service as follows:
(A) For a part that has accumulated 14 or more years, within 7 days.
(B) For a part that has accumulated 12 or more years, but less than 14 years, within 14 days.
(C) For a part that has accumulated 10 or more years, but less than 12 years, within 30 days.
(D) For a part that has accumulated 8 or more years, but less than 10 years, within 60 days.
(E) For a part that has accumulated 6 or more years, but less than 8 years, within 120 days.
(ii) If there is not any corrosion, remove the part from service as follows:
(A) For a part that has accumulated 14 or more years, within 14 days.
(B) For a part that has accumulated 12 or more years, but less than 14 years, within 30 days.
(C) For a part that has accumulated 10 or more years, but less than 12 years, within 90 days.
(2) Within 7 days after the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, report the information requested in the Reply Form Sheet for EASB “Check of single-axis actuators” of EASB EC135-67A-039, along with photos of any corrosion, by email to support.vehicle.ahd@airbus.com or by using the QR code to report to Airbus Helicopters. The QR code is available on page 12 of EASB EC135-67A-039.
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.
