Fuselage – Main Gearbox Bracket Bolts – Inspection
Superseded. Comply with 2022-0128, which replaces this document.
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must inspect the affected main gearbox bracket bolts within the compliance times specified: before exceeding 1200 flight hours if under 1035 flight hours at the effective date, or within 165 flight hours or 12 months if at or above 1035 flight hours. If a single bolt head is missing, all affected bolts on that bracket must be replaced before the next flight. If multiple bolt heads are missing, operators must contact Airbus Helicopters for approved repair instructions. Inspection results must be reported within 30 days after inspection.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0152 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency addressing Airbus Helicopters AS 350, EC 130, and AS 355 models. It mandates a one-time inspection of the main gearbox bracket installation bolts to detect missing bolt heads, which could lead to fatigue failure and potential loss of the helicopter's main gearbox suspension bar. The directive applies to all serial numbers of the specified helicopter models.
What changed
This directive introduces a mandatory inspection requirement for the affected main gearbox bracket bolts due to a reported incident of a missing bolt head. It requires operators to inspect the bolts within specified flight hour thresholds and to perform corrective actions if any discrepancies are found. Additionally, it mandates reporting of inspection results to Airbus Helicopters.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential unsafe condition that could result in catastrophic failure of the main gearbox suspension bar. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and safety of the affected helicopters, preventing possible accidents. Maintenance and compliance teams must prioritize these inspections to avoid operational disruptions and regulatory penalties.
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