Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22421 · Emergency exits
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0012, dated January 11, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0012).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This AD is prompted by modifications developed by Airbus to address a report of an emergency exit window that required excessive pushing force to jettison. This AD requires removing skived polytetrafluoroethylene tape (PTFE tape) (if installed) and replacing certain polychloroprene seals with silicone seals, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits installing a jettisonable window unless the actions required by this AD have been accomplished. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) 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, EASA AD 2021-0012.
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a jettisonable window on any helicopter unless the actions required by this AD have been accomplished.
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0012 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2021-0012 refers to its effective date, the effective date of EASA AD 2019-0107, dated May 16, 2019, and the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0061, dated March 17, 2020, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0012 specifies compliance within 250 flight hours or 6 months for helicopters not operated over water and within 110 flight hours or 6 months for helicopters operated over water, this AD requires compliance within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) for Group 1 and Group 2 helicopters, as defined in EASA AD 2021-0012.
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0012 specifies compliance within 25 months, this AD requires compliance within 110 hours TIS.
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0012 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0012 specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters to obtain a technical solution, 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 the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0012 specifies to use tooling, this AD allows the use of equivalent tooling.
(8) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0012 specifies using a video, this AD does not require using the video.
(9) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0012 does not apply to this AD. Refer to paragraph (b) of this AD for affected FAA AD information.
(10) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 2021-0012.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0012 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
