Airworthiness Directive 97-32255
one-timeAirworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland Model EC135 P1 and T1 Helicopters
What this AD requires
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-20-13 which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter Deutschland Model EC135 P1 and T1 helicopters by individual letters. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of cracks on the stator blades of the fenestron tail rotor (tail rotor). The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Which aircraft AD 97-32255 applies to
Tail rotor stator blade dye-penetrant crack inspection per Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC135-53A-001 Rev 01 (Aug 8, 1997); stator blades with cracks >=15mm total length, or more than 3 cracked blades, must be replaced before further flight.
Whether AD 97-32255 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:
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.