Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-09-03 and AD 2021-05-15, which apply to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. AD 2019-09-03 requires a one-time inspection of the jettisoning mechanism of the cabin doors. AD 2021-05-15 requires repetitive inspections, modifying the release system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door or modifying the design of the jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-05-15, the manufacturer developed a prerequisite modification for certain helicopters, determined improved modification instructions were necessary for installation of the release system of the cabin lateral sliding plug door, and determined the compliance time could be extended. This proposed AD would require modifying the release system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door or modifying the design of the jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.