Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters
Key claim: The FAA proposes to supersede AD 2024-04-10 for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135/EC635 models by discontinuing inspection Method A, requiring repetitive crack inspections of certain tail rotor blade assemblies, and allowing replacement of an affected part as terminating action.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration) The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-04-10, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters. AD 2024-04-10 requires repetitively inspecting certain part-numbered tail rotor (T/R) blades for a crack and, depending on the results, removing any cracked T/R blade from service. AD 2024-04-10 also prohibits installing certain T/R blades on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met. Since AD 2024-04-10 was issued, it was determined that inspection Method A should be discontinued and that additional limitations shall be provided. This proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2024-04-10 and would require repetitively inspecting a certain tail rotor blade (TRB) assembly for cracks and, depending on the results, removing any cracked TRB assembly from service and replacing an affected part as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an affected TRB assembly on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Why this matters
Superseding ADs like this one show how the FAA iteratively refines rotorcraft safety mandates as field data accumulates — narrowing inspection options and offering a permanent fix path rather than open-ended repetitive checks. For EC135/EC635 operators, discontinuing Method A and enabling a terminating replacement changes the practical maintenance burden while keeping the underlying tail-rotor crack hazard addressed.