Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21489 · Rotorcraft flight control
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters, certificated in any category, with autopilot installed, having serial numbers (S/Ns) up to 1263 inclusive, 1265, and 2001 up to 2024 inclusive, but excluding S/N 2006, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2022.
Note 1 to Paragraph (c): Helicopters with an EC135P3H or EC135T3H designation are Model EC135P3 or EC135T3 helicopters, respectively.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a reassessment of the flight control system. This AD requires modification of the cyclic stick, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. 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 Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018-0063, dated March 22, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0063).
(1) Where EASA AD 2018-0063 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2018-0063 requires modifying the helicopter within 7 months, this AD requires modifying the helicopter within 200 hours time-in-service.
(3) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0063 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service instead.
(4) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2018-0063 does not apply to this AD.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0063 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
