Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23198 · Main rotor gear box
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category, with the parts identified in paragraphs (c)(1) or (2) of this AD installed, with “XX” denoting any dash number.
(1) With a main rotor gearbox (MGB) part number (P/N) 332A32-5001-XX, 332A32-5002-XX, or 332A32-5003-XX, with a main reduction gear module (main module), with modification (MOD) 07-53016 (16-roller free wheel of free wheel shaft P/N 332A322191.20) installed, P/N 332A32-5011-XX, 332A32-5012-XX, or 332A32-5013-XX.
(2) With an MGB P/N 332A32-5004-XX with a main module P/N 332A32-5400-00.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-19- 13, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2019-19-13 required determining the total hours time- in-service (TIS) of the free wheel shafts of certain main rotor gearboxes (MGBs), replacing the MGB or right-hand side (RH) free wheel shaft, installing placard(s), and revising the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-19-13, an additional part-numbered MGB has been identified to have the same unsafe condition and the FAA determined that additional changes are necessary. This AD requires the actions of AD 2019-19-13 and expands the applicability by adding the additional part-numbered MGB, changes the requirement to determine the total hours TIS of a certain free wheel shaft, requires repetitive replacement of the MGB or the RH free wheel shaft, changes the requirements for who can replace parts, and expands the parts installation limitation conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, determine the total hours TIS of the RH free wheel shaft since new or last RH free wheel shaft replacement during overhaul.
(i) If the total hours TIS of the RH free wheel shaft is 1,000 or more hours TIS, before further flight, replace the MGB or replace the RH free wheel shaft. Thereafter, before any RH free wheel shaft accumulates 1,000 total hours TIS, replace the MGB or replace the RH free wheel shaft.
(ii) If the total hours TIS of the RH free wheel shaft is less than 1,000 hours TIS, before exceeding 1,000 hours TIS, and thereafter before any RH free wheel shaft accumulates 1,000 total hours TIS, replace the MGB or replace the RH free wheel shaft.
(2) Within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD:
(i) Install one or two self-adhesive placards on the instrument panel in full view of the pilot and co-pilot with 6-millimeter red letters on a white background that state the information contained in figure 1 to paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(2)(i): Figure 4 of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC225-04A016, Revision 4, dated June 19, 2023, shows an example of this placard.
(ii) After installing the placard(s) required by paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD, before further flight, revise the limitations section of the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter by adding the information in figure 2 to paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD, by inserting a copy of this AD, or by making pen-and-ink changes. The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing RFM and must enter compliance with this RFM revision into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(3) For Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters with parts identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD installed, with “XX” denoting any dash number, as an optional terminating action for the requirements of this AD, install MGB P/N 332A32-5001-XX, 332A32-5002-XX, or 332A32-5003-XX, with a main module (12-roller free wheel), without MOD 07-53016 installed, P/N 332A32-5011-XX, 332A32-5012-XX, or 332A32-5013-XX.
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install the parts identified in paragraph (h)(1) or (2) of this AD, with “XX” denoting any dash number, on any helicopter unless the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD are accomplished.
(1) MGB P/N 332A32-5001-XX, 332A32-5002-XX, or 332A32-5003-XX with a main module, with MOD 07-53016 (16-roller free wheel of free wheel shaft P/N 332A322191.20) installed, P/N 332A32-5011-XX, 332A32-5012-XX, or 332A32-5013-XX.
(2) An MGB P/N 332A32-5004-XX with a main module P/N 332A32-5400-00.
