Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21264 · Main rotor gearbox
Airbus Helicopters
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category, except:
(1) Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters with Modification (MOD) 07 28630, MOD 332P087142.09, or MOD 332P087142.12 installed,
(2) Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 helicopters with MOD 07 28630 or 332P087142.00 installed, and
(3) Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters with MOD 07 28370, 332A087149.00, 332A087149.03, 332P087142.00, 332P087142.03, or 332P087142.06 installed.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires, depending on helicopter configuration, installing skived polytetrafluoroethylene tape (PTFE tape) or removing PTFE tape and replacing window seals. This AD also prohibits the installation of a jettisonable cabin window unless the applicable requirements are accomplished. This AD was prompted by a report of excessive friction between the window seal and the helicopter airframe. 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.
Within 110 hours time-in-service:
(1) For Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters; and Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters without MOD 332P087140.00 installed, install skived polytetrafluoroethylene tape (PTFE tape) to each jettisonable cabin window frame by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2., of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-05.01.05 or ASB No. EC225-05A046, both Revision 1 and dated February 8, 2018; or both Revision 2, dated April 10, 2019; or both Revision 3, dated February 10, 2020, or ASB No. AS332-05.01.05, Revision 4, dated September 23, 2020, as applicable to your model helicopter.
(2) For Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters with MOD 332P087140.00 installed:
(i) Remove the PTFE tape, if installed between the VIP cabin window frame and seal, from each jettisonable cabin window by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2., of Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-56.90.13 (ASB AS332-56.90.13) or ASB No. EC225-56C012 (ASB EC225-56C012), both Revision 0 and dated February 8, 2018, as applicable to your model helicopter.
(ii) Replace each VIP jettisonable cabin window polychloroprene seal with a silicone seal by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.3., of ASB AS332-56.90.13 or ASB EC225-56C012, as applicable to your model helicopter.
Note 1 to paragraph (e)(2): Airbus Helicopters has identified the following helicopters as having MOD 332P087140.00 installed: Model AS332L2 serial numbers (S/Ns) 2388, 2390, 2565, 2573, 2577, 2578, and 2587; and Model EC225LP S/Ns 2600, 2623, 2645, 2650, 2651, 2653, 2659, 2684, 2693, 2711, 2712, 2719, 2753, 2756, 2767, 2796, 2926, 2961, 2973, 2974, 2979, 3002, 3003, and 3012.
(3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a jettisonable cabin window unless you comply with the requirements of paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD, as applicable to your model helicopter and configuration.
