Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21579 · Main rotor control
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2024-17-01. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters, certificated in any category.
Note 1 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with an EC135P3H designation are Model EC135P3 helicopters. Helicopters with an EC135T3H designation are Model EC135T3 helicopters.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of increased control force in the collective axis. This AD requires a one-time visual inspection of the main rotor actuator (MRA), 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 2018-0284, dated December 20, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0284).
(1) Where EASA AD 2018-0284 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2018-0284 specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters, this AD requires performing the corrective action in accordance with FAA-approved procedures.
(3) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2018-0284 specifies an alternative method to comply with the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2018-0284 by replacing an affected part, this AD requires removing the affected part from service as an alternative method.
(4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2018-0284 specifies a compliance time of “3 months or 50 flight hours, whichever occurs first,” this AD requires a compliance time of within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) from the effective date of this AD.
(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2018-0284 specifies a compliance time of “15 days,” this AD requires using a compliance time of “30 days.”
(6) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2018-0284 does not apply to this AD.
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.
