Airworthiness Directive 2012-18-18

one-time
Official AD 2012-18-18 · FR doc 2012-22536 · 2012-09-19 · turboshaft engine

Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

What this AD requires

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires accomplishment of the TU166 modification. This new AD requires adding the Arriel 2S2 and 2C2 engines to the applicability of engines requiring the TU166 modification with different compliance times. This AD was prompted by reports of an accident involving a twin-engine helicopter powered by two Arriel 2S2 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture of a gas generator (GG) turbine blade, which could result in an uncommanded in-flight shutdown and a forced landing or accident.

Which aircraft AD 2012-18-18 applies to

MakesTurbomeca S.A.
ModelsArriel 2B, Arriel 2B1, Arriel 2S2, Arriel 2C2, Arriel

Applies only to engines not modified by Turbomeca S.A. Modification TU166.

Whether AD 2012-18-18 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.

How AD compliance is recorded

A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:

Method of complianceThe specific action taken (inspected, replaced, modified) and to what revision.
DateWhen the work was done.
Aircraft timeTotal time in service / tach at compliance — how recurring next-due is computed.
Signature & certificateThe A&P/IA who returned it to service, with certificate number.
Is AD 2012-18-18 complied with on your aircraft?

Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.

Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)

Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.