Main Rotor — Main Rotor Blades — Inspection

Published: Jul 19, 2019
Effective: Jul 23, 2019
Deadline: Jul 23, 2019

AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.

What to do

Operators must inspect affected main rotor blades within 5 flight hours from 23 July 2019 and then every 24 months thereafter, following Leonardo Service Bulletin 206-253. If corrosion is detected, the affected blade must be replaced with a serviceable part before the next flight. Installation of affected blades is permitted only if they meet the serviceable criteria and are inspected accordingly.

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0178-E is an emergency directive addressing the inspection of main rotor blades on Leonardo AB206A and AB206B helicopters. It specifically targets main rotor blades with part number 206-010-200-33 and serial numbers prefixed with M3, EM, or A5. The directive mandates repetitive inspections to detect corrosion and prevent potential blade failure.

What changed

This new emergency airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of affected main rotor blades for corrosion, with replacement required if corrosion is found. It also defines serviceable parts and allows installation of affected parts only if they have passed recent inspections. No previous directives are superseded by this AD.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of AB206 helicopters by preventing main rotor blade failure due to corrosion. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid potential loss of helicopter control. Compliance ensures continued safe operation and adherence to European aviation safety regulations.

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