# Proposed AD FAA-2020-1132: Airbus Helicopters

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2021-05-09
- Products: Airbus Helicopters
- Product type: Aircraft
- Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- Published: December 16, 2020, 85 FR 81427
- Comments due: February 1, 2021
- Became: [AD 2021-05-09](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2021-05-09)
- Docket: FAA-2020-1132 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2020-1132, where comments are filed)
- Project: MCAI-2020-01386-R
- FR document: 2020-27660
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/15/f8/15f8359b2ff78b24d2ca2be70cbadc8fff07e2f2442c3c18a6eee7a8a370707e (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-12-16/pdf/2020-27660.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/16/2020-27660/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/16304689434F6C4786258640005137A8.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2020-1132

## Summary

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-15-02, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. AD 2018-15-02 requires repetitively inspecting the tail rotor (TR) pitch rod for a damaged elastomeric ball joint, and corrective action if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-15-02, the FAA determined that the manufacturer had developed improved inspection procedures and identified conditions that would allow the repetitive inspection intervals specified in AD 2018-15-02 to be extended to correspond with the intervals for the inspection of the TR pitch rod specified in the airworthiness limitation section of the applicable helicopter maintenance manual. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2018-15-02 and allow the repetitive inspection interval to be extended under certain conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Notices in this docket

- Dec 16, 2020: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2020-27660, comments due Feb 1, 2021 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/16/2020-27660/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters)

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.