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2013-21-05R1: Tail Rotor Control System

FAA order 2013-21-05R1 is an airworthiness directive in force since December 21, 2018. The FAA's subject line: Tail Rotor Control System. It names Airbus Helicopters EC-135 now H135: about 396 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: rotorcraft systems.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
Models
EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+/EC635T2+
On this site
Airbus Helicopters EC-135 now H135 396 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
December 21, 2018
Published
November 16, 2018 (signed November 7, 2018)
Docket
FAA-2013-0446
Replaces
2013-21-05
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are revising Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-21-05 for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (now Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH) (Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters. AD 2013-21-05 required an initial and repetitive inspections of certain bearings and modifying the floor and a rod. Since we issued AD 2013-21-05, we have determined that modifying the floor and rod removes the unsafe condition. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2013-21-05 but removes the repetitive inspections. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (6,043 characters)
Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-21-05, Amendment 39-17629 (78 FR 65169, October 31, 2013), and adding the following new AD: 2013-21-05R1 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH): Amendment 39-19498; Docket No. FAA- 2013-0446; Product Identifier 2010-SW-007-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters, with bearing, part number (P/N) LN9367GE6N2; rod, P/N L671M5040205; lever, P/N L671M5040101; and floor, P/N L533M1014101, L533M1014102, L533M1014103, L533M1014104, L533M1014105 or L533M1014106, installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as limited control of a tail rotor because of the binding of a bearing. This condition could result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2013-21-05, Amendment 39-17629 (78 FR 65169, October 31, 2013). (d) Effective Date This AD becomes effective December 21, 2018. (e) Compliance You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time. (f) Required Actions (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect each bearing for freedom of movement by turning and tilting the bearing as depicted in Figure 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135- 67A-012, Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006 (ASB). During any inspection: (i) If there is binding or rough turning, before further flight, replacethe bearing with an airworthy bearing. (ii) If there is chafing on the lower side of the floor that does not extend through the panel outer layer, before further flight, replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing. (iii) If there is damage on the lower side of the floor in the area of the assembly opening that extends through the panel outer layer (revealing an open honeycomb cell or layer), before further flight, replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing and repair the floor. (2) After performing the actions in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD, before further flight, install a Teflon strip and identify the floor by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.E.(1) through 3.E.(4), of the ASB. (3) Within 100 hours TIS, modify and re-identify the rod as depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB and by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.H.(1) through 3.H.(3)(f), of the ASB. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)(1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected]. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or [[Page 57677]] certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC. (h) Additional Information (1) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-67A-012, Revision 2, dated April 3, 2017, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2006-0318R2, dated April 25, 2017. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket. (i) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720, Tail Rotor Control System. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicableto do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 5, 2013 (78 FR 65169, October 31, 2013). (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-67A-012, Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006. (ii) [Reserved] (4) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. (5) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N- 321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2012-10-03SW-12-45 · Garmin Model 400W/500W Series GPS-WAAS Navigation System
2009-05-07SW-09-26 · Operation with Emergency Flotation System ARMED
2008-08-27SW-08-42 · Emergency Float with Liferaft Kits (kits)

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2013-21-05R1.json · aircraft systems.