AD 2020-17-11 Requires Replacing Certain Left-Hand (LH) and RH Hydraulic Pumps

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-14-05 for Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters.

AD 2017-14-05 required replacing certain right-hand (RH) hydraulic pumps and was prompted by reports of broken screws that attach the cover of the hydraulic pump. This new AD requires replacing certain left-hand (LH) and RH hydraulic pumps. This AD was prompted by reports of broken bolts that attach the cover of the hydraulic pump. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective September 22, 2020.

Supplementary InfoRMATION: The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2017-14-05, Amendment 39-18949 (82 FR 31899, July 11, 2017) (“AD 2017-14-05”). AD 2017-14-05 applied to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters with certain serial-numbered LH and RH hydraulic pumps part number (P/N) FR65WEO2005-175A installed. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2020 (85 FR 30891).

The FAA preceded the SNPRM with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal Register on October 21, 2019 (84 FR 56152). The NPRM proposed to continue to require replacing the RH hydraulic pump within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS) and also proposed to require replacing the LH hydraulic pump within 110 hours TIS. The NPRM also proposed to continue to prohibit the installation of an affected hydraulic pump on any helicopter. The SNPRM proposed to expand the applicability to include helicopters that have an affected hydraulic pump on one or both of the LH and RH sides and change the proposed requirements to address helicopters with an affected hydraulic pump installed on only one side. The SNPRM also corrected the nomenclature of “screw” to “bolt.”

The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2016-0264-E, dated December 22, 2016, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model SA 330 J helicopters. EASA advises of reports of broken screws that attach the cover of the hydraulic pump. A subsequent investigation revealed that hydrogen was introduced into a batch of screws delivered between July 1, 2015, and November 1, 2016, causing the screws to become brittle and lack sufficient strength. These screws were installed in a batch of hydraulic pumps, P/N FR65WEO2005-175A, identified by certain serial numbers (S/Ns). As a result, the EASA AD requires replacing the hydraulic pumps.

FMI: www.regulations.gov