Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21700 · Cabin equipment/furnishings
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters
This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in any category, with an affected part as defined in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0064, dated March 19, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0064), installed:
(1) Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC120B, EC130B4, EC130T2, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters, and
Note 1 to paragraph (c)(1): Helicopters with an AS350B3e designation are Model AS350B3 helicopters.
(2) Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, MBB-BK117 C-2, and MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters.
Note 2 to paragraph (c)(2): Helicopters with an EC135P3H designation are Model EC135P3 helicopters. Helicopters with an EC135T3H designation are Model EC135T3 helicopters. Helicopters with an MBB-BK117 C-2e designation are Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC120B, EC130B4, EC130T2, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters; and Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, MBB-BK117 C-2, and MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by failure of an Emergency Flotation System (EFS) float compartment to inflate during maintenance of the EFS. This AD requires inspecting certain EFSs and depending on the results, marking certain parts or removing certain parts from service, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). 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 2020-0064.
(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0064 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of the EASA AD requires inspecting each affected part within the compliance time defined in section 1.E of the applicable ASB, this AD requires inspecting each affected part within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0064 specifies that “the work must be performed on the helicopter by the operator,” this AD requires that the work be accomplished by a mechanic that meets the requirements of 14 CFR part 65 subpart D.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0064 specifies replacing or removing an affected hose that fails the inspection, this AD requires removing the hose from service.
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0064 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0064 specifies returning the EFS to the Safran Aerosystems network for compliance or returning clogged hoses to Safran Aerosystems Services, this AD does not include those requirements.
(7) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2020-0064.
As required by the Definitions section and paragraph (4.2) of EASA AD 2020-0064, this AD requires using Safran Aerosystems Service Bulletin (SB) 025-69-18, Revision 1, dated February 4, 2020, or Safran Aerosystems SB 025-69-18, Revision 2, dated March 24, 2021.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0064 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
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.
