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81-13-09 R2: Tail Rotor Blades Pitch Horn

FAA order 81-13-09 R2 is an airworthiness directive in force since December 18, 1981. The FAA's subject line: Tail Rotor Blades Pitch Horn. It names Airbus Helicopters AS350 AStar (Écureuil), now H125, Airbus Helicopters AS355 TwinStar: about 899 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, 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
Models
AS355E, AS355F, AS350B, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1
On this site
Airbus Helicopters AS350 AStar (Écureuil), now H125 893 registered
Airbus Helicopters AS355 TwinStar 6 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
December 18, 1981
Published
December 17, 1981
Docket
81-ASW-28
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (3,044 characters)
81-13-09 R2 SOCIETE NATIONALE INDUSTRIELLE AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-4175 as amended by Amendment 39-4280. Applies to Models AS350 and AS355 Series Helicopters, certificated in all categories, that are equipped with tail rotor blade pitch horns, P/N 350A12-1368-01 or -02 (Airworthiness Docket No. 81-ASW-28). Compliance required as indicated. To detect possible cracks and prevent failure of the tail rotor blade pitch horns, accomplish the following: (a) Within 10 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished per Aerospatiale Telex Service No. 01.07A dated June 5, 1981, remove each pitch horn, clean and remove paint, inspect for flatness and inspect for cracks as specified in Aerospatiale Telex Service No. 01.07A. (b) Replace horns before further flight if not flat or if cracked. (c) Serviceable pitch horns that comply with this AD must be reinstalled as specified in the Aerospatiale Telex Service No. 01.07A. (d) For pitch horns, P/N 350A-12-1368-01, after initial compliance with paragraphs (a) and (c) of this AD and prior to the first flight of each day, conduct the following: (1) Clean thoroughly, the surface of each horn at the two-mounting bolts. (2) Inspect each horn for cracks using a five power or higher magnifying glass and light in the area of the mounting bolt countersink or spotface and adjacent radii of the yoke. (3) If a crack is found, remove the affected horn prior to further flight and install a serviceable horn as specified in paragraph (c) of this AD. (e) Equivalent means of compliance must be approved by the Chief, Aircraft Certification Staff, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, c/o American Embassy, Brussels, Belgium. (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations to fly aircraft to a base where paragraphs (a) through (c) of this AD can be accomplished. (g) For pitch horns, P/N 350A12-1368-01, accomplish the following: (1) Horns with 400 hours' or more total time in service on July 31, 1981, remove from service within the next 50 hours' time in service. (2) Horns with less than 400 hours' total time in service on July 31, 1981, remove from service before attaining 450 hours' total time in service. (h) For pitch horns, P/N 350A-12-1368-02, remove from service on or before attaining 1,250 hours' total time in service. (i) AS350 Service Bulletin No. 01.07 Revision 2 and AS355 Service Bulletin No. 01.01 Revision 1 may be used instead of TELEX Service No. 01.07A. (Aerospatiale Telex Service No. 01.07B dated June 30, 1981, pertains to the 450 hour' limit.) Amendment 39-4175 became effective July 31, 1981, to all persons including those persons to whom it was made effective by priority mail AD No. 81-13-09 issued June 16, 1981, and to whom part of the amendment was made effective by priority mail AD 81-13-09 issued June 16, 1981. This amendment 39-4280 becomes effective December 18, 1981.

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2021-08-13AIR-21-13 · ENGINE EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN SYSTEM
2019-07-15SW-17-23R2 · Fuel System
2018-03-02SW-17-23R1 · Fuel System
2017-08-24SW-17-23 · Fuel System
2015-08-13SW-15-20 · Air Conditioning System Wiring

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/81-13-09 R2.json · aircraft systems.