Summary
This document proposes the supersedure of an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland Model EC135 P1 and T1 helicopters that currently requires visual and dye-penetrant inspections for a cracked stator blade of the fenestron tail rotor (tail rotor). That AD also requires either stop drilling a cracked blade or, as necessary, replacing an unairworthy stator blade with an airworthy stator blade. This action would require replacing the existing stator blade assembly with a new stator blade assembly that incorporates a reinforced base and modified riveting and limits the applicability to certain serial numbered tail booms. This proposal is prompted by additional reports of cracked stator blades of the tail rotor. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.