Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22294 · Tail rotor drive shaft
Airbus Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2023-25-14. 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 2022-0251-E, dated December 14, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0251-E).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a crack in the tailboom. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the vibration level on the tail rotor drive shaft and, depending on the results, taking corrective action. This AD also requires reporting information and prohibits installing certain rotor drive shafts unless the inspection is done, 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 2022-0251-E.
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0251-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0251-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2022-0251-E refers to tail rotor drive shaft checks, this AD requires tail rotor drive shaft inspections.
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0251-E specifies contacting AH [Airbus Helicopters] to obtain approved instructions, this AD requires, before further flight, reporting results to Airbus Helicopters and accomplishing corrective action 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.
(5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0251-E specifies reporting results to AH [Airbus Helicopters] within 14 days after the check, this AD requires reporting the results at the applicable time in paragraph (h)(5)(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 the inspection.
(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.
(6) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 2022-0251-E.
