Tail Rotor — Blade — Life Limit / Re-identification
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must replace tail rotor blades with part numbers 350A333002.04 or 350A333002.05 before they exceed 10,000 flight hours. Re-identification of affected blades must occur during the next tail rotor hub disassembly or within 1,200 flight hours after 11 September 2018, whichever is later. Additionally, any prior rework, repair, or modification on affected parts must be reviewed within six months of the effective date, and no new rework or modifications are allowed unless approved for the new part number.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0182 is an airworthiness directive affecting Airbus Helicopters EC 130 B4 and EC 130 T2 models. It addresses the life limit and re-identification requirements for tail rotor blades with specific part numbers, ensuring continued airworthiness and safety. The directive mandates compliance with new service life limits and proper identification of affected tail rotor blades.
What changed
This directive introduces mandatory service life limits of 10,000 flight hours for tail rotor blades with part numbers 350A333002.04 and 350A333002.05, which resulted from a new manufacturing process. It also requires re-identification of certain tail rotor blades that were incorrectly marked with an old part number and mandates investigation and corrective actions for any prior rework, repair, or modification on affected parts.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it ensures the structural integrity and safety of tail rotor blades on EC 130 helicopters by enforcing updated life limits and correct part identification. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid unsafe conditions and regulatory non-compliance, which could lead to operational restrictions or safety risks. It also affects maintenance planning and parts management due to the re-identification and replacement requirements.
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