AD/EC 135/23 Time Limits / Maintenance Checks (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Eurocopter EC 135 Series Helicopters

AD/EC 135/23 Time Limits / Maintenance Checks 21/2009

Applicability:

Models EC135 P1(CDS), EC135 P1(CPDS), EC135 P2(CPDS), EC 135 P2+, EC 135 T1(CDS), EC 135 T1(CPDS), EC 135 T2(CPDS), EC 135 T2+, EC 635 T1 (CPDS), EC 635 P2+ and EC 635 T2+ helicopters, all serial numbers.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2009-0207.

Note:  Eurocopter Deutschland EC135 MSM Chapter 04 Revision 10 dated 1 July 2009, or later EASA approved revision, refers.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 October 2009.

Background:

Based on the result of the fatigue life evaluation for parts of the Tail Boom Structure, the Main Rotor Blades, the Main Rotor Hub-Shaft, the Tail Rotor, the Tail Rotor Drive Shaft, the Tail Rotor Transmission, the Mixing Lever Gear Unit and the Hoist Assembly, Eurocopter Deutschland has revised the related life limits and/or inspection intervals for these components of the EC135/EC635 helicopter type design and their constituent parts.  Failure of any of these components or their constituent parts could lead to loss of control of the helicopter.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

7 October 2009