Main Rotor — Blades — Inspection / Replacement
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AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of NH-500D and AMD500N helicopters must inspect affected main rotor blades within 25 flight hours after 12 June 2019 and subsequently at every 100 flight hours or every 12 months, whichever occurs first. If any cracks are detected, the affected blade must be replaced with a serviceable part before the next flight. Installation of affected blades is permitted only if they are serviceable and inspected as required.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0117 is an airworthiness directive addressing inspection and replacement requirements for main rotor blades on MECAER AVIATION GROUP S.P.A. NH-500D and AMD500N helicopters. The directive applies specifically to main rotor blades with part numbers 369D21100-(), 369D21120-(), and 369D21102-() manufactured by Helicopter Technology Company, LLC and Breda-Nardi S.p.A. It mandates repetitive inspections to detect cracks near the trim tab area to prevent potential in-flight failures.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0117 introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of affected main rotor blades for cracks adjacent to the trim tab, with replacement required if cracks are found. It aligns with a similar FAA directive and incorporates service bulletin instructions from MECAER AVIATION GROUP and Helicopter Technology Company. This is a new directive and does not supersede any previous ADs.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk of main rotor blade failure due to cracks, which could lead to loss of helicopter control. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain airworthiness and avoid unsafe flight conditions. The directive also provides clear inspection intervals and corrective actions to mitigate this risk.
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