FAA Issues Final Rule on Airbus Helicopters EC130B4

The FAA is issuing a superseding airworthiness directive for certain Airbus Helicopters EC130B4s. AD 2012-02-13 required inspecting certain areas of the tailboom/fenestron junction frame (junction frame) for cracking. The new AD retains the requirements of AD 2012-02-13, expands the inspection area of the junction frame and shortens the repetitive inspection interval. These actions are intended to detect a crack in the junction frame, which could result in detachment of the fenestron and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.