Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22664 · Main rotor control
Hélicoptères Guimbal Helicopters
This AD applies to Hélicoptères Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-24-51 which applied to all H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters. AD 2023-24-51 was prompted by reports of a crack in the pilot cyclic stick base and required repetitively inspecting certain part-numbered pilot and co-pilot cyclic stick bases and, depending on the results, corrective action. AD 2023-24-51 also prohibited installing those pilot and co-pilot cyclic stick bases unless certain requirements were met. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-24-51, more cracks in the cyclic stick bases have been reported, including a crack in a cyclic stick base that had accumulated only 700 hours time-in-service (TIS). This AD requires the same actions as AD 2023-24-51 but reduces the compliance time for performing the initial inspection. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2024-0007-E, dated January 8, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0007-E).
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0007-E defines “the SB,” this AD requires using Guimbal Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 23-006, Revision D, dated January 5, 2024.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0007-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2024-0007-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(4) Where Table 1 in EASA AD 2024-0007-E states, “During next maintenance check without exceeding 205 FH,” for this AD, replace that text with, “Within 205 hours time-in-service.”
(5) Where Note (1) of EASA AD 2024-0007-E states, “For the initial inspection, a single ferry flight without passengers is allowed to a maintenance location, where the actions required by this AD can be accomplished,” for this AD, replace that text with, “For the initial inspection, a single special flight permit may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to a maintenance location where the actions required by this AD can be accomplished, provided there are no passengers onboard.”
(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2024-0007-E states performing a dye-penetrant inspection, this AD does not require that action.
(7) Instead of complying with paragraphs (2) and (3) of EASA AD 2024-0007-E and paragraph (d) of the service information referenced in EASA AD 2024-0007-E, for this AD, comply with the following: “As a result of an inspection required by paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0007-E, if there is a crack, before further flight, remove the affected part, as defined in EASA AD 2024-0007-E, from service and replace it with a serviceable part, as defined in EASA AD 2024-0007-E, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Hélicoptères Guimbal EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.”
(8) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2024-0007-E.
