Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21547 · Main rotor system
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2022-24-07. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters, certificated in any category, equipped with a tension torsion strap (TT-strap) as identified in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2019-0024, dated February 4, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0024).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO- 105S, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that aging of the elastomeric material in a tension torsion strap (TT-strap) could affect the structural characteristics of the TT-strap. This AD requires replacement of certain TT-straps with serviceable parts and implementation of a new storage life limit for TT-straps, 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, EASA AD 2019-0024.
(1) Where EASA AD 2019-0024 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2019-0024 does not apply to this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2019-0024 and the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0024 specify contacting Airbus Helicopters Deutschland if the storage time for a TT-strap is equal to or greater than 5 years, this AD requires repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.
(4) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0024 specifies to scrap certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service instead.
(5) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0024 specifies to replace each Lord TT-Strap and Bendix TT-Strap “in accordance with the instructions of the applicable ASB,” the replacement must be done using FAA-approved procedures.
(6) Where EASA AD 2019-0024 refers to the airworthiness limitations items of the airworthiness limitations section of the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) for the definition of service life limit (SLL), this AD requires using the life limits specified in paragraphs (h)(6)(i) through (iii) of this AD, as applicable:
(i) For Bendix TT-Strap part number (P/N) 2604067 and P/N 117-14110: Before 10 years or 40,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first.
(ii) For Bendix TT-Strap P/N 2602559 and P/N 2606576: Before 10 years, 2,400 hours time-in-service, or 40,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first.
(iii) For Lord TT-Strap P/N J17322-1 and P/N 117-14111: Before 12 years or 40,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first.
(7) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0024 specifies that installation of a Lord TT-Strap is allowed provided the first flight of that helicopter after that installation is accomplished before the storage life of that Lord TT-Strap exceeds 5 years, for this AD, the installation of a Lord TT-Strap is allowed provided the first flight of that helicopter after that installation is accomplished before 5 years since the TT-strap's date of manufacture.
(8) Where EASA AD 2019-0024 defines “serviceable part” as a Lord TT-Strap having a storage life not exceeding 5 years, for this AD, a serviceable part is Lord TT-straps P/N J17322-1 and P/N 117-14111 having less than 5 years since that TT-strap's date of manufacture.
(9) Where EASA AD 2019-0024 specifies that the “cure date” of a TT-Strap can be determined using the information provided in the applicable service information specified in EASA AD 2019-0024, or contacting Airbus Helicopters for applicable instructions, for this AD, the option of contacting Airbus Helicopters is not required.
After accomplishing the replacement specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0024, thereafter, replace the Lord TT-straps P/N J17322-1 and P/N 117-14111, at intervals not to exceed: Before 12 years or 40,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first.
For Model B0-105LS A-3 helicopters: After accomplishing the replacement specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0024 all of the actions required by AD 2016-15-14 are terminated for that helicopter only.
