Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21565 · Engine cowling system
Airbus Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2021-18-06. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2019-0008, dated January 22, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0008).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters, as identified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD. This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight loss of engine and main gearbox (MGB) cowlings. This AD requires inspecting the MGB fixed cowling front fitting (MGB front fitting), and depending on findings, corrective action. This AD also requires a new modification, which is a terminating action for the inspection, as specified in an 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 2019-0008.
(1) Where EASA AD 2019-0008 refers to April 14, 2017 (the effective date of EASA AD 2017-0055, dated March 31, 2017), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2019-0008 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2019-0008 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(4) Where EASA AD 2019-0008 requires the modification within 660 flight hours or 23 months, whichever occurs first, this AD requires the modification within 660 hours time-in-service instead.
(5) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0008 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service instead.
(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0008 specifies to use tooling, equivalent tooling may be used.
(7) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2019-0008 does not apply to this AD.
(8) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0008 states to, “inspect the MGB fixed cowling front fittings in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 1.E.2 of the applicable inspection ASB or in accordance with the instructions of the applicable modification ASB,” this AD requires determining if Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.55, Revision 0, dated March 13, 2017, or Revision 1, dated December 20, 2018, has or has not been complied with and following the instructions, “For helicopters on which ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN No. 53.00.55 has not been complied with” or “For helicopters on which ALERT SERVICE BULLETIN No. 53.00.55 has been complied with,” as applicable, in paragraph 1.E.2, of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB No. AS365-53.00.62 or ASB No. EC155-53A038, each Revision 0 and dated December 20, 2018 (ASB AS365-53.00.62 or ASB EC155-53A038), as applicable to your model helicopter.
(9) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0008 states to, “accomplish the applicable corrective action(s) in accordance with paragraph 1.E.2 of the applicable inspection ASB or in accordance with the instructions of the applicable modification ASB,” this AD requires accomplishing the applicable corrective actions by following ASB AS365-53.00.62 or ASB EC155-53A038, as applicable to your model helicopter.
(10) Where paragraph 3.B.2.e.3 of the applicable modification ASB referenced in EASA AD 2019-0008 refers to paragraph 3.B.e.3, this AD requires referring to paragraph 3.B.3 of ASB AS365-53.00.62 or ASB EC155-53A038, as applicable to your model helicopter.
