Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21893 · Fuselage structure
Airbus Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2023-23-01. 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 2021-0283-E, dated December 17, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0283-E).
The FAA is superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2021-24- 06, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2021-24-06 required 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. This AD retains those requirements and adds repetitive visual inspections of the rivet heads on the left-hand and right-hand sides of the rear transmission shaft bearing support, revises a corrective action, and adds a reporting requirement, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also revises the special flight permit limitation from AD 2021-24-06. This AD was prompted by an additional report of loose rivet heads on the outside face of the tail boom corner support. 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 2021-0283-E.
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0283-E refers to November 1, 2021 (the effective date of EASA Emergency AD 2021-0235-E, dated October 28, 2021), this AD requires using December 9, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-24-06).
(2) Where EASA AD 2021-0283-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2021-0283-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(4) Where paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0283-E require accomplishing inspections after each last flight of the day or “ALF,” this AD requires accomplishing those inspections before each first flight of the day.
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0283-E specifies that certain inspections can be done by a mechanical technician, a pilot with correct training and accreditation, or a pilot-owner, this AD requires that those inspections be done by a qualified mechanic.
(6) Where paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA AD 2021-0283-E specify contacting Airbus Helicopters to obtain approved repair instructions and accomplishing those instructions, this AD requires repair done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters” EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(7) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2021-0283-E requires reporting inspection results to Airbus Helicopters within 30 days after each rivet replacement, this AD requires reporting inspection results at the applicable time in paragraph (h)(7)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after each rivet replacement.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the effective date of this AD.
(8) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0283-E.
