Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21391 · Fuselage structure
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, and SA-366G1 helicopters, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-19- 01, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N1, and SA-366G1 helicopters. AD 2018-19-01 required repetitive inspections of the aft fuselage outer skin. This AD continues to require repetitive inspections and adds Model SA-365N helicopters, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by aft fuselage (baggage compartment area) outer skin disbonding and a determination that Model SA-365N helicopters are also affected by the unsafe condition identified in AD 2018-19-01. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0080, dated April 3, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0080).
(1) Where EASA AD 2019-0080 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2019-0080 refers to September 19, 2017 (the effective date of EASA AD 2017-0165), this AD requires using October 22, 2018 (the effective date of AD 2018-19-01).
(3) For Airbus Helicopters Model SA-366G1 helicopters: Where EASA AD 2019-0080 refers to “the instructions of the applicable ASB,” use Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. SA366-05.48, Revision 0, dated July 21, 2017; or Airbus Helicopters ASB No. SA366-05.48, Revision 1, dated March 27, 2019.
(4) Where EASA AD 2019-0080 refers to Group 1 helicopters, for this AD, Model SA-366G1 helicopters are considered Group 1 helicopters.
(5) Paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2019-0080 specifies to “contact AH [Airbus Helicopters] for approved skin panel repair or replacement instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly.” For this AD, for any repair or replacement of the panel done before the effective date of this AD, it is not required to contact Airbus Helicopters. For any repair or replacement of the panel done on or after the effective date of this AD, the repair or replacement must be done using a method approved by the Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA. For a repair or replacement method to be approved by the Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.
(6) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2019-0080 does not apply to this AD.
(7) Where EASA AD 2019-0080 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
