Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21761 · Cabin equipment/furnishings
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters, all serial numbers up to 1276 inclusive, certificated in any category, with an affected hoist as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0011, dated January 12, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0011).
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-05- 06, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. AD 2019-05-06 required replacing the retaining ring, inspecting the hoist cable hook assembly, and, if necessary, replacing the elastomeric energy absorber. This AD continues to require the actions specified in AD 2019-05-06, and also requires a modification or replacement of the hoist cable hook assembly that would terminate the repetitive inspections and retaining ring replacements, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a report that a hook detached from the hoist cable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (e) of AD 2019-05-06, with no changes. For Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters: Within 90 hours time-in-service (TIS) after April 17, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-05-06) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 180 hours TIS:
(1) Inspect the hook assembly and determine whether the elastomeric energy absorber has taken a permanent compression set by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A and 2.B, of Goodrich Service Bulletin No. 44301-10-17, Revision 4, dated July 26, 2017 (SB 44301-10-17). If the elastomeric energy absorber has taken a permanent compression set, replace the elastomeric energy absorber before the next hoist operation.
(2) Replace the retaining ring by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.D through 2.K, of SB 44301-10-17.
Except as specified in paragraph (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0011.
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0011 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0011 do not apply to this AD. The equivalent FAA requirements are specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(3) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0011 does not apply to this AD.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0011 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0011 specifies a method of accomplishment of certain actions, this AD requires replacing the text “modify the affected hoist in accordance with the instructions of the modification ASB,” with “modify the affected hoist in accordance with paragraphs 3.B.1 and 3.B.2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the modification ASB.”
(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0011 specifies to use tooling, equivalent tooling may be used.
(7) Accomplishing the modification specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0011 or the replacement specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0011 terminates the repetitive actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(8) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2021-0011 refers to October 25, 2017 (the effective date of EASA AD 2017-0199), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD; and where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2021-0011 specified to do actions “as required by paragraph (1) of this [EASA] AD,” for this AD, do the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(9) Paragraph (7) of EASA AD 2021-0011 does not apply to this AD. For this AD, for helicopters that do not have an affected hoist identified in paragraph (c) of this AD installed: As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected hoist identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter.
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.
