EASA AD No.: 2009-0087-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 1/3

EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2009-0087-E 

Date: 11 April 2009 

Note: This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance 

with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States 

and of the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of 

that Regulation 

This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 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 

[EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

EUROCOPTER 

Type/Model designation(s) : 

AS 332 and EC 225 helicopters 

TCDS Number : EASA.R.002 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 63 Main Rotor Drive – Magnetic Plug of Main Gear Box Epicyclic 

Reduction Gear Module – Check 

Manufacturer(s): Eurocopter (formerly Eurocopter France) 

Applicability: AS 332 L2 and EC 225 LP helicopters, all serial numbers. 

Reason: 

This emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following the accident of 

the AS 332 L2 helicopter registered G-REDL that occurred on the 1st of April 

2009, off the coast of Scotland near Aberdeen. 

The investigation is still in progress and at this early stage, the cause of this 

accident seems to be connected with a degradation of the epicyclic module of 

the MGB, the root cause of which is still to be determined. In the light of this 

information, the detection of any contamination of the MGB is of utmost 

importance as a precautionary measure. 

For the reasons described above, this AD requires: 

− on AS 332 L2 helicopters, to check the magnetic plug of the MGB epicyclic 

reduction gear module on a daily basis and to ensure also that correct MGB 

maintenance has been applied in case a particle was found on the 

magnetic plug before issuance of this AD; and 

− on EC 225LP helicopters, to perform maintenance of the MGB epicyclic 

reduction gear module each time chip detection occurs and to ensure also 

that correct MGB maintenance has been applied in case a particle was 

found on the electric magnetic plug before issuance of this AD. 

SUPERSEDED
EASA AD No.: 2009-0087-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 2/3

Effective Date: 11 April 2009 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

1. For AS 332 L2 helicopters:

1.1 Before next flight after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter each day 

After the Last Flight of the day (ALF inspection) without exceeding 10 Flight 

Hours (FH) between each ALF, check the MGB epicyclic reduction gear 

module magnetic plug in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 

2.B.1 of Eurocopter AS332 ASB No. 05.00.81 initial issue. 

1.2 Before next flight after the effective date of this AD, check the helicopter 

maintenance records in order to determine if, within the last 200FH prior to 

the effective date of this AD, one or more particles were detected on the 

magnetic plug of the epicyclic reduction gear module without ensuing 

complete compliance with maintenance Work Card (WC) 60.00.00.212.001: 

 If detection occurred and was not followed by complete maintenance 

(epicyclic reduction gear module not removed to check chip collector 

magnets), before further flight, disassemble and inspect the MGB 

epicyclic reduction gear module in accordance with the instructions of 

paragraph 2.B.2 of Eurocopter AS332 ASB No. 05.00.81 initial issue. 

2. For EC 225 LP helicopters:

2.1 After the effective date of this AD, each time particles are detected on the 

electric magnetic plug of the MGB epicyclic reduction gear module, before 

further flight, disassemble and inspect the MGB epicyclic reduction gear 

module in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 2.B.2 of 

Eurocopter EC225 ASB No. 05A017 initial issue. 

2.2 Before next flight after the effective date of this AD, check the helicopter 

maintenance records in order to determine if, within the last 200FH prior to 

the effective date of this AD, one or more particles were detected on the 

electric magnetic plug of the epicyclic reduction gear module without 

ensuing complete disassembly and inspection of the module: 

 If detection occurred and was not followed by maintenance as defined 

above, before further flight, disassemble and inspect the MGB epicyclic 

reduction gear module in accordance with the instructions of paragraph 

2.B.2 of Eurocopter EC225 ASB No. 05A017 initial issue. 

3. For AS 332 L2 and EC 225 LP helicopters: 

After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any helicopter a MGB, 

unless its condition has been checked in accordance with the requirements 

of this AD. 

Ref. Publications: 

Eurocopter AS332 ASB 05.00.81 initial issue, dated 10 April 2009. 

Eurocopter EC225 ASB 05A017 initial issue, dated 10 April 2009. 

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for 

SUPERSEDED

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 
EASA AD No.: 2009-0087-E 

EASA Form 111 Page 3/3

Remarks :

1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative 

Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. The safety assessment has requested not to implement the full consultation 

process and an immediate publication and notification. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness 

Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification 

Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: 

EUROCOPTER (STDI) – Aéroport de Marseille Provence 13725 Marignane 

Cedex, France; telephone +33 (4) 12 85 97 97; facsimile +33 (4) 85 99 66; 

E-mail: Directive.technical-support@eurocopter.com

SUPERSEDED