EASA AD 2018-0163
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2021-0116
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0163 is an airworthiness directive issued for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. It mandates inspection of the co-pilot collective lever wire harness and its routing to detect and correct any chafing or incorrect routing that could cause electrical short circuits and uncommanded system activations.
What Changed
This directive introduces a one-time inspection requirement for the co-pilot collective lever wire harness and routing, along with mandatory inspections each time the co-pilot collective lever is installed or reinstalled. It also requires corrective actions if any discrepancies are found during inspections.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of affected helicopters by preventing potential electrical failures that could lead to unintended activation of safety systems. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure inspections and corrective actions are performed to avoid operational hazards and regulatory non-compliance.
What To Do
Operators must perform an initial inspection of the co-pilot collective lever wire harness and routing within specified compliance times based on helicopter configuration, including within 100 flight hours or 3 months for helicopters with a rescue hoist system installed. Additionally, inspections are required before each flight after any (re)installation of the co-pilot collective lever. Any discrepancies found must be corrected before further flight.
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