Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-09-03 and AD 2021-05-15 for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. AD 2019-09-03 required a one-time inspection of the jettisoning mechanism of the cabin lateral sliding plug doors. AD 2021-05-15 required repetitive inspections, modifying the release system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, or modifying the design of the jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-05-15, the manufacturer developed a prerequisite modification for certain helicopters, determined improved modification instructions were necessary for installation of the release system of the cabin lateral sliding plug door, and determined the compliance time could be extended. This AD requires modifying the release system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door or modifying the design of the jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.