Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21827 · Fuselage structure
Airbus Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2022-01-05. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2021-0235-E, dated October 28, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0235-E).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of degradation of the rear transmission shaft bearing support and the determination that all of the attachment rivets of the transmission shaft bearing support were sheared. This AD requires repetitive visual inspections of the rivets on the rear transmission shaft bearing support and of the local structure for cracking and missing, loose, or sheared rivets and accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, 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 2021-0235-E.
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0235-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0235-E requires doing an inspection after each last flight of the day or “ALF,” this AD requires doing that inspection before each first flight of the day.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0235-E requires, if any rivet on the rear transmission bearing support is found missing, loose or sheared, or any visible crack is present, contacting Airbus Helicopters to obtain approved repair instructions and accomplishing those instructions, this AD requires doing a repair in accordance with an FAA-approved method.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0235-E specifies that the inspection can be done by a mechanical technician, a pilot with correct training and accreditation, or a pilot-owner, this AD requires that the inspection be done by a qualified mechanic.
(5) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0235-E.
(6) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0235-E requires doing inspections of the rivets for presence of cracks, for this AD, inspect for visible cracks and missing, loose, or sheared rivets.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0235-E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
