Story ID: 
Airbus Helicopters AD Superseded
By: AIN Staff
Caption: New AD supersedes a 2013 directive.
Word Count: 166
The FAA published an airworthiness directive—AD 2015-02-27—correcting a terminology error in previously issued AD 2013-19-19 for Airbus Helicopters AS332C/L/L1/L2 and EC225LP models. The new directive, which takes effect February 17, requires replacing certain serial-numbered main gearbox (MGB) bevel gear vertical shafts and inspecting and replacing, if necessary, each MGB bevel gear vertical shaft in the aforementioned helicopters.

The older document required the same actions, but contained an error in the term used to identify an inspection qualification and updates the type certificate holder's name, which has been corrected with the new AD. The FAA is seeeking comments by April 3.

This AD was prompted by two incidents of emergency ditching after warning indications of loss of MGB oil pressure. These actions are intended to detect a cracked shaft, which could result in loss of MGB oil pressure, loss of the MGB lubrication system and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.