Fuselage — Aft Fuselage Skin Panels — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2017-0165
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform initial tapping inspections within 110 flight hours after the specified dates depending on the helicopter group, followed by regular visual inspections every 110 flight hours and tapping inspections every 660 flight hours. If debonding is detected within defined limits, more frequent tapping inspections are required until three consecutive inspections show no significant progression. For debonding exceeding criteria, operators must contact Airbus Helicopters for repair instructions and complete repairs before the next flight.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0080 is an airworthiness directive addressing inspection requirements for the aft fuselage skin panels on Airbus Helicopters SA 365, AS 365, and EC 155 models. It mandates repetitive tapping and visual inspections to detect debonding in the aft fuselage outer skin areas, which could compromise structural integrity and safety. The directive applies to all serial numbers of the specified helicopter models.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0080 supersedes the previous AD 2017-0165, expanding the applicability to include SA 365 N helicopters and introducing a conditional terminating action for repetitive tapping inspections. It incorporates revised inspection criteria and definitions for debonding propagation based on updated Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletins. The directive retains previous inspection requirements but allows termination of repetitive inspections if debonding does not progress significantly over three consecutive inspections.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to ensure the structural integrity of the aft fuselage on affected helicopter models. Detecting and addressing skin panel debonding prevents potential safety hazards during flight and landing. Compliance with the directive helps maintain airworthiness and avoid unplanned grounding or costly repairs due to undetected structural issues.
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