Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23019 · Main gearbox oil cooler
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-09-14 which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2021-09-14 required repetitively inspecting for a gap between the main gearbox (MGB) oil cooling fan assembly (fan) rotor blade and the upper section of the guide vane bearing housing, installing improved MGB fan rotor shaft bearings, and repetitively inspecting the improved MGB fan rotor shaft bearings. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-09-14, Airbus has developed modifications to the components of the MGB fan bearing assembly and issued new material regarding these modifications. This AD retains the actions required by AD 2021-09-14 and also requires installing the improved MGB fan rotor bearing assembly, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. 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 2022-0191, dated September 15, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0191).
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0191 refers to August 11, 2020 (the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0171, dated July 28, 2020) and to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0191 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where the inspection ASB material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0191 specifies to return certain parts to Airbus Helicopters, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(4) Where the inspection ASB material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0191 specifies completing the response form in Appendix 4, this AD does not require that action.
(5) Where the modification ASB material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0191 specifies “sending the fan-bearing assembly to an approved D-level maintenance center to integrate modification 0776102 and where applicable, modification 0725373,” this AD requires replacing that text with “installing modification 0776102, and as applicable, modification 0725373.”
(6) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0191.
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0191 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.
