Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-19-13, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2019-19-13 requires determining the total hours time- in-service (TIS) of the free wheel shafts of certain main rotor gearboxes (MGBs), replacing the MGB or right-hand side (RH) free wheel shaft, installing placard(s), and revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for the helicopter. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-19-13, an additional part-numbered MGB has been identified to have the same unsafe condition and the FAA determined that additional changes are necessary. This proposed AD would require the actions of AD 2019-19-13 and, expand the applicability by adding the additional part-numbered MGB, change the requirement to determine the total hours TIS of a certain free wheel shaft, require repetitive replacement of the MGB or the RH free wheel shaft, change the requirements for who can replace parts, and expand the parts installation limitation conditions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.