AD 2021-13-19 Retains The Requirements Of AD 2014-11-02

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-11-02 for Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters.

AD 2014-11-02 required repetitively inspecting frame number (No.) 9 for a crack. This AD was prompted by Airbus Helicopters developing a modification that provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by AD 2014-11-02. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2014-11-02, provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections, and reduces the applicability by excluding certain post-modified helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 17, 2021.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2014-11-02, Amendment 39-17852 (79 FR 33050, June 10, 2014) (AD 2014-11-02).

AD 2014-11-02 applied to Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model SA-365N, SA365N1, AS-365N2, and AS  65 N3 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2021 (86 FR 21231). The NPRM proposed to continue to require, for helicopters that have a No. 9 frame that has had any repair or alteration made, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of the AD and at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS thereafter, inspecting the LH and RH frame No. 9 for a crack in the areas of the latch support and stretcher support with a 10X or higher power magnifying glass. For all other helicopters, the NPRM proposed to require the inspection within 110 hours TIS after the effective date of the AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS. If there is a crack, the NPRM proposed to continue to require, before further flight, repairing the crack. The NPRM also proposed to provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections that would consist of installing Eurocopter modification (MOD) 53C17 or MOD 53D02, or Airbus Helicopters MOD 07 53D21 or MOD 07 53D22, as applicable to your helicopter.

The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2012-0108R1, dated September 19, 2019 (EASA AD 2012-0108R1), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model helicopters except those that have been modified by Eurocopter MOD 53C17 or MOD 53D02, or Airbus  Helicopters (AH) MOD 07 53D21 or MOD 07 53D22. EASA AD 2012-0108R1 revises EASA AD 2012-0108-E, dated June 15, 2012 (EASA AD 2012-0108-E), which was issued after a crack was discovered during the “T” inspection of an AS365 helicopter. The crack started at a rivet hole of a doubler that was installed on the frame No. 9 in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.42, dated January 31, 2001. EASA stated in EASA AD 2012-0108-E that structural alteration of frame No. 9 by modifications or repairs can result in fatigue crack initiation under normal operational loads.

According to EASA, this condition, if not corrected, could lead to crack propagation and failure of frame No. 9, which would adversely affect the structural integrity of the helicopter. For these reasons, EASA AD 2012-0108-E required repetitive inspections of frame No. 9 for a crack in the area of the doubler or any repair performed in the area of the latch support and stretcher support. EASA advises in EASA AD 2012-0108R1 that Airbus Helicopters developed MOD 07 53D21 and MOD 07 53D22.

Consequently, EASA AD 2012-0108R1 was issued to introduce the MODs as optional terminating action for the repetitive  inspections, reduce the applicability by excluding certain post-MOD helicopters, and make some editorial changes that do not affect the required actions.

FMI: www.regulations.gov