AD 2021-19-09 Prompted By The Development Of A Modification (MOD) Procedure By Airbus Helicopters

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-24-03, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters.

AD 2020-24-03 required testing the UP/DOWN switches of a certain part-numbered DUNLOP cyclic stick grip, installing a placard, and revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter, or removing the DUNLOP cyclic stick grip. This AD retains some requirements of AD 2020-24-03 and also requires incorporating a new modification, and removing the placard and the RFM amendment installed previously as required by AD 2020-24-03. The additional actions are required as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by the development of a modification (MOD) procedure by Airbus Helicopters for the electrical wiring of the hoist control of the DUNLOP cyclic stick. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 4, 2021.

Supplementary Information: EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0023, dated January 19, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0023) to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350 and AS 355 helicopters.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-24-03, Amendment 39-21333 (85 FR 76955, December 1, 2020) (AD 2020-24-03). AD 2020-24-03 applied to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters with DUNLOP cyclic stick grip manufacturer part number (MP/N) AC66444 with UP/DOWN switches for rescue hoist control installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 12, 2021 (86 FR 36516). The NPRM was prompted by Airbus Helicopters developing MOD MC20096 and Airbus Helicopters issuing service information for performing this modification on the DUNLOP cyclic stick.

The NPRM proposed to continue to require ground testing of the UP/DOWN switches, installing a placard, and revising the existing RFM for your helicopter. The NPRM also proposed to require modifying the electrical wiring of the DUNLOP cyclic stick and removing both the placard and RFM amendment previously installed as specified in EASA AD 2021-0023.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address inadvertent activation of the rescue hoist cable cutter function and consequent detachment of an external load or person from the helicopter hoist, possibly resulting in personal injury, or injury to persons on the ground, as specified in an EASA AD. See EASA AD 2021-0023 for additional background information.

FMI: www.regulations.gov