AD 2025-03-02 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, EC225LP, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a collective pitch handle installed on a pilot or co-pilot collective stick having part number (P/N) 704A41-1100-42, 704A41-1100-50, 704A41-1100-56, 704A41-1100-57, 704A41-1100-60, 704A41-1100-67, 704A41-1100-68, 704A41-1100-97, 704A41-1100-98, 704A41-1100-99, 704A41-1101-14, 704A41-1101-30, or 704A41-1101-32, installed, as applicable to the model helicopter.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(1) For helicopters identified in paragraph (c) of this AD that have a hoist installed, within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months TIS, check the operation of the shear-button safety-cap on each applicable collective pitch handle by accomplishing the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD, as applicable. The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may perform the checks required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD and must enter compliance with these paragraphs into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (i) Place your thumb under the safety-cap and lift the safety-cap to a less-than halfway position. Remove your thumb and verify that the safety-cap goes to the fully open position or that the safety-cap returns to the fully closed position. Repeat these actions no less than two more times. If the safety-cap stays in the less-than halfway position, or the safety-cap does not fully close or fully open during any instance of the actions required by this paragraph, before further flight, a person authorized under 14 CFR 43.3 must accomplish the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. (ii) Place your thumb under the safety-cap and lift the safety-cap to a halfway position. Remove your thumb and verify that the safety-cap goes to the fully open position or that the safety-cap returns to the fully closed position. Repeat these actions no less than two more times. If the safety-cap stays in the halfway position, or the safety-cap does not fully close or fully open during any instance of the actions required by this paragraph, before further flight, a person authorized under 14 CFR 43.3 must accomplish the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. (iii) Place your thumb under the safety-cap and lift the safety-cap to a more-than halfway position. Remove your thumb and verify the safety-cap goes to the fully open position or that the safety-cap returns to the fully closed position. Repeat these actions no less than two more times. If the safety-cap stays in the more-than halfway position, or the safety-cap does not fully close or fully open during any instance of the actions required by this paragraph, before further flight, a person authorized under 14 CFR 43.3 must accomplish the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. (2) If the safety-cap stays in the less-than halfway, halfway, or more-than halfway position, or the safety-cap does not fully close or fully open during any instance of the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD, before further flight, remove the spring from service and replace it with an airworthy spring. (3) As an alternative to replacing the spring as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, accomplish the actions required by paragraphs (g)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD. (i) Before further flight, fabricate a placard with a font size greater than or equal to 4 mm (.157 in), stating the following: “NIGHT HOIST OPERATIONS PROHIBITED.” The placard must have a red background with white font color or a white background with red font color. The placard must not be erasable and must be attached to the instrument panel, visible to the pilot and co-pilot. (ii) Within 150 hours TIS after accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this AD, remove the spring of the safety-cap from service and replace it with an airworthy spring, and remove the placard from service. (4) For helicopters identified in paragraph (c) of this AD that do not have a hoist installed, before installation of a hoist's removable parts on the helicopter, accomplish the check and as applicable, corrective action, required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD.

This AD was prompted by a report of an unintentional activation of the hoist shear-button (shear-button) on the collective pitch handle during a night flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address fatigue of the spring in the shear-button safety-cap on the left and right collective pitch handles. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an unintended shearing of the hoist cable and subsequent injury to the hoisted person.

None.