Airworthiness Directive 2009-09-51
one-timeAirworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC225LP Helicopters
What this AD requires
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-09-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC225LP helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before further flight, determining if the "CHIP" detector light on the instrument panel (Vehicle Monitoring System Screen) previously illuminated. If the "CHIP" detector light did illuminate and it illuminated because of a metal particle on the magnetic plug of the epicyclic reduction gear module (module) of the main gearbox (MGB), or if you cannot determine from the maintenance records which chip detector caused the "CHIP" detector light to illuminate or whether the detector light stayed illuminated after the "CHIP" detector switch was turned to the "CHIP PULSE" setting, replacing the module with an airworthy module is required before further flight. Also required before further flight is inspecting the MGB module magnetic chip detector electrical circuit and determining whether the system is functioning properly, including whether the "CHIP" detector light annunciates on the instrument panel (Vehicle Monitoring System Screen). Finally, this AD requires replacing the module with an airworthy module if the "CHIP" detector light illuminates, stays illuminated after the "CHIP" detector switch is turned to the "CHIP PULSE" setting, and you determine that a metal particle on the module magnetic plug caused that illumination. This amendment is prompted by a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. EASA notified us of an accident that occurred April 1, 2009 on a Eurocopter Model AS332L2 helicopter and EASA advises that the "cause of the accident seems to be connected with degradation of the epicyclic module of the MGB, the root cause of which is still to be determined." The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Which aircraft AD 2009-09-51 applies to
Applies only when an epicyclic reduction gear module, part number 332A32-5021-01M, is installed.
Whether AD 2009-09-51 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.