Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22004 · Fuselage main, attach fittings
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-22-01 which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. AD 2020-22-01 required inspecting the affected parts and associated frame bores for discrepancies, applicable corrective actions, and reporting certain information if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on attachment screws and fittings fastening the main gearbox (MGB) suspension bars to the fuselage. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2020-22-01, adds recurring inspections, and updates the applicable service information. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Affected parts are attachment screws and fitting(s) fastening the parts identified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD.
(1) Rear MGB suspension bars, right and left sides, to the fuselage.
(2) Front MGB suspension bar to the fuselage.
Except as specified in paragraphs (j)(1) through (10) of this AD: Within the applicable compliance times identified in paragraphs (h)(1) or (2) of this AD, inspect each affected part and its frame bores for discrepancies, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2. through 3.B.2.b.3 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-53.02.05, Revision 2, dated August 19, 2021 (ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2); or in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2. through 3.B.2.d. of Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-53.02.07, Revision 1, dated August 19, 2021 (ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1), as applicable to your model helicopter. For the purposes of this inspection, a discrepancy may be indicated by corrosion on the MGB attachment fitting or by sealing compound on the attachment screws.
(1) Perform the initial inspection within the applicable compliance times identified in the “Deadlines” column of Tables 1 through 4, as applicable, of paragraph 1.E.2, “Compliance in service,” of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2, and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed the compliance time identified in the “Periodicity” column of Table 1 through 4, as applicable.
(2) Perform the initial inspection within the applicable compliance times identified in the “Deadlines” column of Tables 1 and 2, as applicable, of paragraph 1.E.2, “Compliance in service,” of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed the compliance time identified in the “Periodicity” column of Table 1 and 2, as applicable.
Except as required by paragraphs (j)(7) through (10) of this AD: If, during any inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, there is any discrepancy, before further flight, perform the applicable corrective action (including replacing or repairing corroded parts and replacing screws that have sealing compound on them), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2. through 3.B.2.b.3 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 or in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2. through 3.B.2.d. of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, as applicable.
(1) Where Tables 1 and 3 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 use the phrase “receipt of Revision 0 of this Alert Service Bulletin issued April 18, 2019,” this AD requires using December 7, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-22-01).
(2) Where Table 1 of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1 uses the phrase “receipt of Revision 0 of this Alert Service Bulletin,” this AD requires using December 7, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-22-01).
(3) Where Tables 2 and 4 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 use the phrase “receipt of Revision 2 of this Alert Service Bulletin,” this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(4) Where Table 2 of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, uses the phrase “that follow receipt of Revision 1 of this Alert Service Bulletin,” this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(5) Where Tables 2 and 4 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2, and Table 2 of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, specify certain configurations in the “Configuration” column, this AD requires compliance for those configurations as of the effective date of this AD.
Note 1 to paragraph (j)(5): An example for the exception specified in paragraph (j)(5) of this AD is where a service bulletin specifies, “3700 flight hours or more since compliance with this Alert Service Bulletin,” use “3700 flight hours or more since compliance with this Alert Service Bulletin as of the effective date of this AD.”
(6) Where Tables 1 and 3 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2, and Table 1 of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, specify certain configurations in the “Configuration” column, this AD requires compliance for those configurations as of December 7, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-22-01).
(7) Where the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2.b.3 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2, and the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2.b.2 of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1 specify performing a check of the condition of the bores and frames, for this AD for ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 replace the text, “Perform a check of the state of the frame bores as per paragraph G.2. of the Work Card 53-10-00-402 (MET),” with “Perform a check of the state of the frame bores as per paragraph F.2.b.(2) of the Work Card 53-10-00-402 (MET);” and for ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1 replace the text, “Check the condition of the bores and the frames using the endoscope (yy) as per paragraph G.2. of Work Card 53-10-00-402 (MET),” with “Check the condition of the bores and the frames using the endoscope (yy) as per paragraph F.2.b.(2) of Work Card 53-10-00-402 (MET).”
(8) Where ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 and ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1 specify discarding parts, you are not required to discard parts.
(9) Where ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 and ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1 specify contacting Airbus Helicopters for repair instructions, this AD requires repair done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, General Aviation and 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.
(10) Where ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2, and ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, specify if sealing compound is present, or if no sealing compound is present but there is corrosion, take a photo, place the part in quarantine, and contact Airbus Helicopters for repair instructions, this AD requires repair done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. This AD does not require taking a photo or placing the part in quarantine.
If, during any inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, there is any discrepancy, report the inspection results to Airbus Helicopters at the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (2) of this AD. The report should include the information specified in Appendix 4.A. of Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2; or ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, as applicable.
(1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
