Summary
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reduced life limits being established for certain part-numbered tail rotor (TR) blades. This proposed AD would require determining the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of certain part-numbered TR blades, establishing a life limit for certain part-numbered TR blades, removing from service any TR blade that has reached or exceeded its life limit, creating a component history card, re-identifying certain part-numbered TR blades, and removing any TR blade from service before reaching its retirement life. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain TR blades on certain model helicopters. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.