Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19749 · Main rotor gearbox
Airbus Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2025-24-03. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category, with a main rotor gearbox (MGB) part number (P/N) 332A325001.XX, P/N 332A325002.XX, or P/N 332A325003.XX, with a main reduction gear module (main module), with modification (MOD) 07-53016 (16-roller free wheel of free wheel shaft P/N 332A322191.20) installed, P/N 332A325011.XX, P/N 332A325012.XX, or P/N 332A325013.XX, with “XX” denoting any dash number.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires determining the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of the free wheel shafts of certain main rotor gearboxes (MGBs), replacing the MGB or right-hand side (RH) free wheel shaft, installing placard(s), and revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. This AD was prompted by a report of wear of the ramps of the RH free wheel shaft. 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 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), determine the total hours TIS of the RH and LH free wheel shafts since new or last RH free wheel shaft replacement during overhaul. For the purpose of this AD, if the total hours TIS of the RH and LH free wheel shafts are different, use the greater number of total hours TIS as the RH free wheel shaft total hours TIS.
(i) If the total hours TIS of the RH free wheel shaft is 1,000 or more hours TIS, before further flight, replace the MGB or replace the RH free wheel shaft under the supervision of an Airbus Helicopter Specialist that is qualified for this replacement.
(ii) If the total hours TIS of the RH free wheel shaft is less than 1,000 hours TIS, before exceeding 1,000 hours TIS, replace the MGB or replace the RH free wheel shaft under the supervision of an Airbus Helicopter Specialist that is qualified for this replacement.
(2) Within 10 hours TIS:
(i) Install one or two self-adhesive placards on the instrument panel in full view of the pilot and co-pilot with 6-millimeter red letters on a white background that state the information contained in Figure 1 to paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this AD. Refer to Figure 1 of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 04A016, Revision 1, dated June 28, 2019, for an example of this placard.
(ii) After installing the placard(s) required by paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this AD, before further flight, revise the limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter by adding the information in Figure 2 to paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this AD, by inserting a copy of this AD, or by making pen-and-ink changes. This action may be done 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 by following 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1) through (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
(3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an MGB P/N 332A325001.XX, P/N 332A325002.XX, or P/N 332A325003.XX, with a main reduction gear module (main module), with modification (MOD) 07-53016 (16-roller free wheel of free wheel shaft P/N 332A322191.20) installed, P/N 332A325011.XX, P/N 332A325012.XX, or P/N 332A325013.XX, with “XX” denoting any dash number unless the requirements of paragraph (e)(2) of this AD have been accomplished.
(4) As an optional terminating action for the requirements of this AD, install MGB P/N 332A325001.XX, P/N 332A325002.XX, or P/N 332A325003.XX, with a main module (12-roller free wheel), without MOD 07-53016 installed, P/N 332A325011.XX, P/N 332A325012.XX, or P/N 332A325013.XX, with “XX” denoting any dash number.
