AD 2021-13-17 Continues To Require The Repetitive Inspections Of The MRB Attachment Pins

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-17-01, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters.

AD 2017-17-01 required repetitive inspections of the main rotor blade (MRB) attachment pins. This AD continues to require the repetitive inspections of the MRB attachment pins, and also requires repetitive measurement of the attachment pin chamfer at certain intervals after corrosion removal, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that it is necessary to measure the attachment pin chamfer after corrosion removal, that replacement of an attachment pin after four corrosion removals is no longer necessary, and that all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters are affected by the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 17, 2021.

Supplementary Information: The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0172, dated August 7, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0172) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. EASA AD 2018-0172 superseded EASA AD 2015-0016, dated January 30, 2015 (which prompted FAA AD 2017-17-01, Amendment 39-18991 (82 FR 39506, August 21, 2017) (AD 2017-17-01)).

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2017-17-01. AD 2017-17-01 applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 24, 2020 (85 FR 74931). The NPRM was prompted by the FAA's determination that it is necessary to measure the attachment pin chamfer after corrosion removal, that replacement of an attachment pin after four corrosion removals is no longer necessary, and that all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters are affected by the unsafe condition. The NPRM proposed to continue to require the repetitive inspections of the MRB attachment pins, as specified in an EASA AD. The NPRM also proposed to require repetitive measurement of the attachment pin chamfer at certain intervals after corrosion removal, as specified in an EASA AD.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracked MRB attachment pins which could result in loss of an MRB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. See the MCAI for additional background information.

FMI: www.regulations.gov