Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22191 · Main rotor gearbox
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330 J helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-10-10 for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2021-10-10 required repetitively inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) particle detector and the MGB bottom housing (oil sump) for metal particles, analyzing any metal particles that are found, and replacing the MGB if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-10-10, additional review concluded that installing an improved planet gear assembly is necessary. This AD continues to require repetitively inspecting the MGB particle detector and the MGB bottom housing (oil sump) for metal particles, and analyzing any metal particles that are found, and also requires replacing the planet gear assembly and repetitively inspecting and establishing an airworthiness limitation for that assembly 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 (EASA) AD 2021-0239, dated November 5, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0239).
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0239 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2021-0239 refers to March 30, 2018 (the effective date of EASA AD 2018-0065, dated March 23, 2018), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2021-0239 refers to December 27, 2018 (the effective date of EASA AD 2018-0272, dated December 13, 2018), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(4) Where EASA AD 2021-0239 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
(5) Where EASA AD 2021-0239 specifies actions be done after the last flight of the day or “ALF,” this AD requires doing those actions before the first flight of the day.
(6) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0239 specifies to inspect the MGB particle detector “in accordance with the instructions of Section 3 of the inspection ASB” for this AD replace that phrase with “by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2.a., of the inspection ASB.”
(7) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0239 specifies to inspect the MGB bottom housing (oil sump) “in accordance with the instructions of Section 3 of the inspection ASB” for this AD replace that phrase with “by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2.b. of the inspection ASB.”
(8) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0239 specifies to perform a metallurgical analysis and contact the manufacturer if unsure about the characterization of the particles collected, this AD does not require contacting the manufacturer to determine the characterization of the particles collected.
(9) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0239 specifies that if any 16NCD13 particles are found to contact the manufacturer and send a 1-liter sample of oil to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.
(10) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0239 specifies returning certain parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.
(11) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2021-0239 allows modifying an affected MGB by having the second stage planet gear assembly replaced by an Airbus Helicopters qualified technician, this AD does not allow that action; instead of that action, this AD allows modifying an affected MGB 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.
(12) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0239 specifies discarding certain parts, this AD requires removing the parts from service.
(13) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0239 does not apply to this AD.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0239 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
