Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21663 · Passenger/crew doors
Airbus Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2021-19-16. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in the Applicability of European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2020-0087, dated April 15, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0087).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a left-hand (LH) side stairway door that inadvertently opened in flight and tore off from its attachment fittings. This AD requires inspecting the locking safety mechanism of the LH side stairway door handle and depending on the results, corrective action. This AD also requires modifying that locking safety mechanism as specified in a 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 2020-0087.
(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0087 refers to November 6, 2014 (the effective date of EASA AD 2014-0241-E, dated November 4, 2014) or its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2020-0087 refers to Group 1 and Group 2 helicopters, this AD does not refer to any groups of helicopters.
(3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0087 permits certain actions to be performed by a mechanical engineering technician or pilot, this AD requires that the actions be performed by a qualified mechanic.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0087 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(5) While paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0087 requires actions before next flight after each application of painting on the LH side stairway door or its external door handle, those actions are not required by this AD.
(6) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0087 requires reconditioning the locking safety mechanism, and the service information referenced in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0087 specifies contacting the Airbus Helicopters Support and Services Department if it is impossible to recondition the locking safety mechanism by moving the door handle, this AD requires moving the external door handle from the “Locked” to the “Unlocked” position to determine if the safety mechanism can lock automatically. If the safety mechanism does not lock automatically, this AD requires, before further flight accomplishing paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2020-0087 or accomplishing corrective action using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA. The Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.
(7) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2020-0087 identifies the modification as required by paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0087 as terminating action for the repetitive inspections as required by paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0087 for that helicopter, this AD does not allow the modification to terminate the repetitive inspections as required by paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0087.
(8) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2020-0087 does not apply to this AD.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0087 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
