AD 2023-25-14: Airbus Helicopters

What the FAA requires

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-27- 09, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2022-27-09 required repetitively inspecting the vibration level on the tail rotor drive shaft and, depending on the results, taking corrective action. AD 2022-27-09 also required reporting information and prohibited installing certain rotor drive shafts unless the inspection was done. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-27- 09, Airbus Helicopters revised its service information to update the procedures for inspecting that vibration level, reduce an allowable vibration level, and clarify when a balance correction may be accomplished. This AD was prompted by the determination that a certain vibration measurement tool was providing unexpected results and therefore the threshold must be revised. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2022-27-09 and also revises the procedures for inspecting the vibration level on the tail rotor drive shaft and depending on these results, requires replacing certain parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Read the full directive on the Federal Register →

Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2023-0190-E, dated November 2, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0190-E). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6510, Tail Rotor Drive Shaft. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in the tailboom. The FAA is issuing this AD to address an excessive vibration level on the tail rotor drive shaft. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the tail rotor drive shaft and subsequent loss of yaw control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the complianc

Part numbers this directive names

This directive does not name specific part numbers in its text; it applies by aircraft model. See the applicability above and the manufacturer's service bulletin it references.