EASA AD No.

: 2021-0015

Airworthiness Directive
AD No.: 2021-0015
Issued: 13 January 2021
Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation
(EU) 2018/1139 on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the European third
countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 129 of that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the
continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which
an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I,
Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Article 71 exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name: Type/Model designation(s):

Effective Date: 27 January 2021

ATA 53 – Fuselage – Tail Boom – Inspection / Modification / Repair

Manufacturer(s):
Airbus Helicopters (AH), formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter France

Applicability:
EC 120 B helicopters, all serial numbers.

Definitions:
For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply:

The ASB: AH Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC120-53A017 Revision 1.

The SB: AH Service Bulletin (SB) EC120-53-018.

Reason:
An occurrence was reported of finding corrosion on the external tail boom skin of an EC 120
helicopter, under the Very High Frequency (VHF) antenna. This galvanic type of corrosion cannot be
detected without removing the VHF antenna.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to degradation of the tail boom structure,
and, upon landing under severe load, possibly result in a roll-over of the helicopter.

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 EASA AD No.: 2021-0015

To address this potential unsafe condition, AH issued the ASB to provide instructions to inspect the
VHF antenna attachments, and for embodiment of a modification to prevent such galvanic
corrosion in the affected area. AH also issued the SB to provide repair instructions, in case cracks or
corrosion are detected.

For the reason described above, this AD requires a one-time inspection of the VHF antenna
attachments to the tail boom and, depending on findings, accomplishment of a modification or
applicable corrective action(s).

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):

Inspection(s):
(1) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the VHF antenna attachments to
the tail boom in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 3.B of the ASB.

Corrective Action(s):
(2) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, no corrosion and no cracks are
detected, before next flight, modify the helicopter in accordance with the instructions of
paragraph 3.B of the ASB.

(3) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any corrosion or cracks are
detected, before next flight, repair the helicopter in accordance with the instructions of
paragraph 3.B of the SB.

Part(s) Installation:
(4) From the effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install on any helicopter a tail boom,
provided that, prior to installation, it has been inspected and, depending on findings, it has
been modified in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 3.B of the ASB, or repaired in
accordance with the instructions of paragraph 3.B of the SB, as applicable.

Ref. Publications:
AH ASB EC120-53A017 original issue dated 14 September 2020, and Revision 1 dated 26 November
2020.

AH SB EC120-53-018 original issue dated 26 November 2020.

The use of later approved revisions of the above-mentioned documents is acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks:
1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of
Compliance for this AD.

2. This AD was posted on 03 December 2020 as PAD 20-193 for consultation until 31 December
2020. No comments were received during the consultation period.

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 EASA AD No.: 2021-0015

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the EASA Safety Information Section,
Certification Directorate. E-mail: [email protected].

4. Information about any failures, malfunctions, defects or other occurrences, which may be
similar to the unsafe condition addressed by this AD, and which may occur, or have occurred on
a product, part or appliance not affected by this AD, can be reported to the EU aviation safety
reporting system. This may include reporting on the same or similar components, other than
those covered by the design to which this AD applies, if the same unsafe condition can exist or
may develop on an aircraft with those components installed. Such components may be
installed under an FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) or other modification.

5. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please
contact: Airbus Helicopters – Aéroport de Marseille Provence, 13725 Marignane CEDEX, France
Telephone: +33 (4) 42 85 97 97, Fax: +33 (4) 42 85 99 66,
E-mail: [email protected],
Web portal: https://keycopter.airbushelicopters.com > Technical Requests Management.

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Proprietary document. Copies are not controlled. Confirm revision status through the EASA-Internet/Intranet.
An agency of the European Union