AD 2021-22-08 Requires Establishing Life Limits And CMR Tasks For Various Parts

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Hélicoptères Guimbal (HG) Model Cabri G2 helicopters.

This AD was prompted by the determination that certain parts need life limits and certification maintenance requirement (CMR) tasks. This AD requires establishing life limits and CMR tasks for various parts and removing any parts from service that have reached or exceeded their life limits. Depending on the results of the CMR tasks, this AD requires corrective action. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective January 13, 2022.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Hélicoptères Guimbal (HG) Model Cabri G2 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 23, 2021 (86 FR 47038). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require before further flight, removing from service certain part-numbered cooling fan front flanges and engine pulley ball bearings that have accumulated or exceeded their life limit. The NPRM also proposed to require establishing recurring CMR tasks for certain part-numbered cooling fan front flanges. Depending on the results of the CMR tasks, the NPRM proposed to require corrective action. Additionally, the NPRM proposed to require painting certain part-numbered tail booms with glossy white paint.

The NPRM was prompted by a series of EASA ADs beginning with EASA AD 2016-0032, dated February 24, 2016 (EASA AD 2016-0032), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for HG Model Cabri G2 helicopters. EASA AD 2016-0032 states HG has revised the airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks specified in the existing maintenance manual. EASA further advised the revisions include new and more restrictive applicable life limits and compliance times for applicable tasks. Accordingly, EASA 2016-0032 required replacing each affected part before exceeding its life limit, accomplishing all applicable maintenance tasks within the defined intervals as described in revised maintenance manual and if discrepancies were found accomplishing the corrective actions in accordance with the applicable maintenance instructions or contacting HG. EASA AD 2016-0032 also required revising the existing Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP) for your helicopter by incorporating the actions specified in the revised maintenance. After EASA issued EASA AD 2016-0032, HG again revised the airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks.

Accordingly, EASA superseded EASA AD 2016-0032 with EASA AD 2019-0025, dated February 4, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0025). EASA advises new and more restrictive life limits have been established for cooling fan part number (P/N) G52-00-001, and P/N G52-00-002, which have been identified as mandatory for continued airworthiness in Hélicoptères Guimbal Cabri G2 Maintenance Manual (MM) No. J70-002 Issue 06, dated December 6, 2018, Section C, Airworthiness Limitations (the ALS). In addition to the new life limits, EASA advises of new and more restrictive inspection intervals identified in the ALS for cooling fan P/N G52-00-001 with a certain mounted cooling fan front flange P/N G52-02-200, or P/N G52-02-201. EASA further advises that the ALS revised the tail structure paint to include certain part-numbered tail booms and an additional figure. This condition, if not addressed, could result in parts remaining in service beyond their fatigue life and failure of a part, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
Accordingly, EASA AD 2019-0025 retains the requirements of EASA AD 2016-0032 and requires replacing each affected part before exceeding its life limit, accomplishing all applicable maintenance tasks within the defined intervals as described in the ALS, and if discrepancies are found accomplishing the corrective actions in accordance with the applicable maintenance instructions or contacting HG. EASA AD 2019-0025 also requires revising the tail structure paint scheme to include certain part-numbered tail booms and an additional figure. EASA AD 2019-0025 requires revising the existing AMP for your helicopter by incorporating the actions specified in the ALS.

FMI: www.regulations.gov