Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21136 · Tail rotor blades
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that a changed manufacturing process for the tail rotor blades (TRB) was implemented, affecting the structural characteristics of the blades and generating a new part number for these blades. This AD requires re-identifying each affected TRB having a certain part number and serial number and establishing a life limit for the new part numbers. This AD also prohibits installation of any affected TRB identified with the old part number on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
An “affected part” is a TRB having P/N C642A0300103 and a serial number specified in Appendix 4.A. of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin EC120-04A008, Revision 0, dated July 18, 2018 (“ASB EC120-04A008”).
Before exceeding 8,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) since first installation on a helicopter: Remove from service each TRB having P/N C642A0300104 or P/N C642A0300105.
(1) Within 1,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD: Re-identify each affected part in accordance with 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB EC120-04A008.
(2) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, for each affected part which has been subject to rework, repair, or modification before the re-identification as required by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, contact the Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, for additional applicable maintenance instructions and, within the compliance time identified in those instructions, accomplish those instructions accordingly.
