Airworthiness DirectiveSupersededEASA AD 2018-0065

Time Limits / Maintenance Checks – Main Gearbox / Particle Detectors – Inspection

Superseded. Comply with 2018-0272, which replaces this document.

Published: Mar 23, 2018
Effective: Mar 30, 2018
Deadline: Mar 30, 2018

Airbus Helicopters SA 330

AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.

What to do

Operators of Airbus Helicopters SA 330 J must inspect the main gearbox particle detector during each after last flight inspection or at intervals not exceeding 10 flight hours starting from 30 March 2018. If particles are found, they must be analyzed according to Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin SA330-05.103, and any necessary corrective actions must be completed before the next flight. Installation of main gearbox assemblies is permitted only if followed by the required inspections.

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0065 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency affecting all Airbus Helicopters SA 330 J models. It mandates repetitive inspections of the main gearbox particle detector to detect and analyze particles, ensuring continued airworthiness and safety. This directive aligns inspection standards with those applied to EC 225 LP and AS 332 L2 helicopters.

What changed

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0065 introduces updated inspection intervals and particle assessment criteria for the main gearbox particle detector on SA 330 J helicopters. It requires inspections during each after last flight (ALF) or every 10 flight hours, whichever occurs first, and mandates particle analysis and corrective actions if particles exceed specified limits. This AD is a new regulation addressing potential failures identified from investigations of other helicopter models.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to prevent potential failures of the main gearbox second stage planet gear, which could compromise flight safety. Compliance ensures early detection of gearbox wear or damage through particle detection, reducing the risk of in-flight failures and costly unscheduled maintenance. It also ensures regulatory compliance with EASA continuing airworthiness requirements.

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