Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22177 · Tail rotor blades
Airbus Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2023-13-51. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of manufacturing defects on multiple tail rotor blades (TRBs). This AD requires visually inspecting certain part- numbered TRBs for the presence of a linear indication; and depending on the inspection results, fluorescent penetrant inspecting the TRB and further corrective actions if necessary. This AD also prohibits installing an affected TRB unless certain requirements have been met, 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency Emergency AD 2022-0169-E, dated August 12, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0169-E).
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0169-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0169-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E states to “accomplish a visual check of the root area of each affected part,” for this AD, replace that text with “accomplish a visual inspection of the root area of each affected part.”
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E states, “linear indication,” for the purposes of this AD, a linear indication is any linear indication perpendicular to the fiber direction of the blade that is detected regardless of size.
(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E states to “accomplish a dye penetrant inspection of the root area of each discrepant part in accordance with the instructions of the ASB,” for this AD replace that text with “perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the root area of each affected part that has any linear indication (perpendicular to the fiber direction of the blade and regardless of size), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.3. of the ASB. This FPI must be accomplished by a Level II or Level III inspector certified in the FAA-acceptable standards for nondestructive inspection personnel.”
Note 1 to paragraph (h)(5): Advisory Circular 65-31B contains examples of FAA-acceptable Level II and Level III qualification standards criteria for inspection personnel doing nondestructive test inspections.
(6) This AD does not mandate paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E; instead, for this AD, if as a result of the action required by paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E, there is any linear indication (perpendicular to the fiber direction of the blade and regardless of size), before further flight, remove the affected TRB from service and replace it with a serviceable part as defined in EASA AD 2022-0169-E.
(7) This AD does not allow paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E, instead for this AD use paragraph (j) of this AD.
(8) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0169-E specifies to discard the TRB if a linear indication is detected, this AD requires before further flight, removing that part from service.
(9) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0169-E specifies to use tooling, this AD allows the use of equivalent tooling.
(10) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0169-E.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0169-E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
