2024-04-10: Tail Rotor Blades

FAA order 2024-04-10 is an airworthiness directive in force since March 19, 2024. The FAA's subject line: Tail Rotor Blades. 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 (AHD)
Models: EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2+/EC635T2+, EC135T3, EC635T2+, EC135T2
On this site: Airbus Helicopters EC-135 now H135 396 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since: March 19, 2024
Published: March 4, 2024 (signed February 23, 2024)
Docket: FAA-2024-0453
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T2, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a separated tail rotor (T/R) blade due to a crack which was caused by intergranular corrosion. This AD requires repetitively inspecting certain part- numbered T/R blades for a crack and, depending on the results, removing any cracked T/R blade from service. This AD also prohibits installing certain T/R blades on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) emergency AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (188 characters)

Issued on February 23, 2024. Caitlin Locke, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-04589 Filed 2-29-24; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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/2024-04-10.json · aircraft systems.