FAA Issues New Airworthiness Directive for Airbus Helicopters Due to Gearbox Warning Flaw

The Federal Register published an airworthiness directive affecting all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters. The federal agency enacted this requirement after determining that the low pressure caution or warning light might fail to illuminate during instances of main gearbox oil loss.

To address this unsafe condition, the directive instructs operators to update their existing rotorcraft flight manuals. This mandatory revision involves incorporating newly updated emergency, malfunction, and normal procedures into the documentation.

The affected aircraft are twin-engine rotorcraft designed for utility purposes such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, and corporate transport. These helicopters accommodate a single pilot and multiple passengers depending on the cabin arrangement chosen by the operator.

Developed from an earlier prototype, the rotorcraft design incorporates a bearingless composite main rotor alongside a Fenestron anti-torque tail device. Operators can equip these machines with various advanced glass cockpit suites and autopilots to support instrument flight rules operations.

The type features a maximum take-off weight of 2910.0 kg and is powered by engines yielding 472.0 kW of power. Pilots flying the rotorcraft experience a cruise speed of 254.0 km/h and a range capability of 635.0 km, with thousands of units delivering millions of flight hours worldwide across diverse service environments.

For owners and pilots of the specified models, compliance with the newly issued instructions is required to mitigate the risks associated with undetected main gearbox oil depletion.

Sources: FAA (Federal Register)