Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19882 · Main rotor gearbox
Airbus Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2025-23-01. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a main gearbox (MGB) suspension bar right-hand side (RH) rear attachment fitting (fitting) part number (P/N) 330A22-2702-07 and bolt P/N 330A22-0135-20, MGB suspension bar left-hand side (LH) rear fitting P/N 330A22-2702-06 and bolt P/N 330A22-0135-20, or MGB suspension bar front bolt P/N 330A22-0134-20 installed.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. This AD requires determining the accumulated hours time- in-service (TIS) of certain part-numbered main gearbox (MGB) suspension bar attachment fittings (fittings) and bolts, and establishes new life limits. This AD was prompted by the outcome of tests and analyses performed by Airbus Helicopters. 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 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), review records to determine the total hours TIS of each MGB suspension bar RH and LH rear fitting.
(i) For any RH rear fitting that has accumulated 1,470 or more total hours TIS, before further flight, remove from service the RH rear fitting and its bolts.
(ii) For any RH rear fitting that has accumulated less than 1,470 total hours TIS, remove from service the RH rear fitting and its bolts before the fitting accumulates 1,470 total hours TIS.
(iii) For any LH rear fitting that has accumulated 13,600 or more total hours TIS, before further flight, remove from service the LH rear fitting and its bolts.
(iv) For any LH rear fitting that has accumulated less than 13,600 total hours TIS:
(A) If a Major Inspection “G” has not been completed since the LH rear fitting has been installed, remove from service the LH rear bolts during the next Major Inspection “G” inspection; or
Note 1 to paragraph (e)(1)(iv)(A) of this AD: Major Inspection “G” (7,500 hours TIS between overhauls) is defined in Maintenance Manual MET 05-29-00-601.
(B) If a Major Inspection “G” has been completed since the LH rear fitting has been installed, before further flight, remove from service the LH rear bolts; and
(C) Remove from service the LH rear fitting before the fitting accumulates 13,600 total hours TIS.
(2) Thereafter following paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, remove from service any RH rear fitting and its bolts at intervals not to exceed 1,470 hours TIS, remove from service any LH rear fitting at intervals not to exceed 13,600 hours TIS, and remove from service any LH rear bolts during each Major Inspection “G.”
(3) During the next Major Inspection “G,” remove from service the MGB suspension bar front bolts. Thereafter, remove from service the front bolts during each Major Inspection “G.”
