EASA AD 2019-0034
Tail Rotor — Blades — Life Limit / Re-identification
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0034 is an airworthiness directive affecting Airbus Helicopters SA 341 G and SA 342 J models. It addresses the life limit and re-identification requirements for specific tail rotor blades with certain part numbers. The directive mandates compliance with new service life limits and re-identification procedures to ensure continued airworthiness.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory replacement and re-identification of tail rotor blades with part numbers 341A335101.01, 341A335130.05, and 341A335130.06 before exceeding 21,250 flight hours. It also requires investigation and corrective actions for any prior rework, repair, or modification on affected parts and prohibits installation of improperly identified blades.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to prevent unsafe conditions caused by structural changes in tail rotor blades due to a new manufacturing process. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to avoid operating helicopters with blades beyond their approved service life or with incorrect identification, which could compromise flight safety.
What To Do
Operators must replace affected tail rotor blades before they exceed 21,250 flight hours and re-identify affected parts during the next tail rotor hub disassembly after 28 February 2019. They must not install affected parts after this date and must investigate any prior rework or modifications within six months, following any additional maintenance instructions provided by the approval holder.
Your fleet's weekly compliance brief
AI-summarized regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and action items — filtered to your aircraft, every Monday.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.