AD 2019-17-02 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH

This AD becomes effective September 25, 2019.

Special flight permits are prohibited.

A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

(1) Within 3 days, visually inspect all external surfaces of each single-axis actuator for corrosion. Refer to Figure 1 of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-67A-039, Revision 1, dated April 23, 2019 (EASB EC135-67A-039), for example photos of single-axis actuators with corrosion. Refer to Figure 2 of EASB EC135-67A-039 for example photos of single-axis actuators without corrosion. (i) If there is any corrosion, remove the part from service as follows: (A) For a part that has accumulated 14 or more years, within 7 days. (B) For a part that has accumulated 12 or more years, but less than 14 years, within 14 days. (C) For a part that has accumulated 10 or more years, but less than 12 years, within 30 days. (D) For a part that has accumulated 8 or more years, but less than 10 years, within 60 days. (E) For a part that has accumulated 6 or more years, but less than 8 years, within 120 days. (ii) If there is not any corrosion, remove the part from service as follows: (A) For a part that has accumulated 14 or more years, within 14 days. (B) For a part that has accumulated 12 or more years, but less than 14 years, within 30 days. (C) For a part that has accumulated 10 or more years, but less than 12 years, within 90 days. (2) Within 7 days after the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, report the information requested in the Reply Form Sheet for EASB “Check of single-axis actuators” of EASB EC135-67A-039, along with photos of any corrosion, by email to support.vehicle.ahd@airbus.com or by using the QR code to report to Airbus Helicopters. The QR code is available on page 12 of EASB EC135-67A-039.

This AD defines the unsafe condition as corrosion in certain main rotor actuator (MRA) components. This condition could result in failure of the component, failure of the MRA, and loss of control of the helicopter.