Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21404 · Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and SA330J helicopters, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-05- 09, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. AD 2018-05-09 required inspecting the tail rotor (T/R) flapping hinge link (hinge) and reporting the results. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the spindle bolts and the inner ring and needle bearings of each flapping hinge, corrective actions if necessary, and repetitive replacements of affected flapping hinge components, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. Replacement of all affected flapping hinge components on each flapping hinge is terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD also expands the applicability. This AD was prompted by a report of a damaged flapping hinge on a T/R blade. 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 2020-0086, dated April 14, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0086).
(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0086 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2020-0086 does not apply to this AD.
(3) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0086 specifies to return affected parts and submit a form to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements.
(4) Where paragraph (9) of EASA AD 2020-0086 refers to “any discrepancy,” for the purposes of this AD, discrepancies include spalling, brinelling, and cracking on the inner ring, and spalling on the bearing needles.
(5) Where EASA AD 2020-0086 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(6) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0086 refers to a compliance time of “within 25 flight hours or during the next scheduled 50 FH inspection, whichever occurs later..., ” for the initial replacement, this AD requires completion within 25 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD.
