Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21622 · Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-17- 01, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. AD 2017-17-01 required repetitive inspections of the main rotor blade (MRB) attachment pins. This AD continues to require the repetitive inspections of the MRB attachment pins, and also requires repetitive measurement of the attachment pin chamfer at certain intervals after corrosion removal, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that it is necessary to measure the attachment pin chamfer after corrosion removal, that replacement of an attachment pin after four corrosion removals is no longer necessary, and that all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters are affected by the unsafe condition. 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 2018-0172, dated August 7, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0172).
(1) Where EASA AD 2018-0172 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2018-0172 refers to February 13, 2015 (the effective date of EASA AD 2015-0016, dated January 30, 2015), this AD requires using September 25, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-17-01).
(3) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2018-0172 does not apply to this AD.
(4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2018-0172 specifies to inspect each affected part, for this AD, prior to the inspection for corrosion, inspect the protective coating on the inside of the attachment pin for scratches and missing protective coating. If there is any scratch or any missing protective coating, prior to the inspection for corrosion, sand the attachment pin to remove the varnish in the area depicted as “Area A” in Figure 1 of the “applicable ASB” as defined in EASA AD 2018-0172.
(5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2018-0172 requires removing corrosion, for this AD, if there is any corrosion pitting, before further flight, replace the affected attachment pin. Do not sand the attachment pin to remove a corrosion pit.
(6) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0172 specifies to do a non-destructive inspection if in doubt about whether there is a crack, that action is not required by this AD.
(7) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0172 specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters if any attachment pin with a crack is found and returning that part to Airbus Helicopters, those actions are not required by this AD.
(8) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0172 specifies discarding certain parts, that action is not required by this AD.
(9) Where EASA AD 2018-0172 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
