Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22826 · Main rotor control
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters, certificated in any category.
Note 2 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with an EC135P3H designation are Model EC135P3 helicopters, and helicopters with an EC135T3H designation are Model EC135T3 helicopters.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-11-17 and AD 2021-11-22, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3 and EC635T2 helicopters. AD 2021-11-17 required a one-time visual inspection of certain part-numbered main rotor actuators (MRAs). AD 2021-11-22 required revising the life limits of certain parts and removing each part that had reached its life limit. Since the FAA issued those ADs, it was determined that repetitive inspections of the MRAs are necessary, new and more restrictive tasks and limitations have been issued, and that it is necessary to expand the applicability. This AD continues to require the actions required by AD 2021-11-17 and AD 2021-11-22, except this AD requires changing the one-time MRA inspection to a repetitive inspection and incorporating other new and more restrictive tasks and limitations by revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. This AD also expands the applicability by adding Model EC635T2+ helicopters. These actions are 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 2022-0067, dated April 13, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0067).
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0067 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2022-0067.
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0067 specifies “Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved AMP;” for this AD, replace that text with “Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the airworthiness limitations section of your existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and your existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.”
(4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0067 is on or before the applicable “limitations” and “associated thresholds” as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0067, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(5) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0067.
No alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, are allowed for compliance with paragraph (g) of this AD unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2022-0067.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
