Tail Rotor – Tail Rotor Duplex Bearing and Plug – Inspection
Superseded. Comply with 2020-0128, which replaces this document.
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must inspect the affected plug's tightening torque and install additional locking wire within 10 flight hours or 30 days from 13 August 2019. Further inspections of the duplex bearing and related parts are required within 50 flight hours or 6 months and then every 200 flight hours thereafter. Any discrepancies found must be corrected before the next flight according to Leonardo's Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 119-100.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0194-E is an emergency directive addressing safety concerns for Leonardo S.p.A. A119 and AW119MKII helicopters, specifically those with manufacturer serial numbers up to 14966, excluding certain serial numbers. The directive mandates inspections and corrective actions related to the tail rotor duplex bearing and plug to prevent potential loss of helicopter control.
What changed
This directive introduces mandatory inspections of the tail rotor duplex bearing and plug, including verifying the tightening torque and installing additional locking wire. It requires repetitive inspections every 200 flight hours and corrective actions if discrepancies are found. The directive also permits installation of specific tail rotor duplex bearing part numbers with inspection requirements.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to prevent functional failure of the tail rotor pitch change mechanism, which could lead to loss of helicopter control. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of affected helicopters. Compliance helps mitigate risks identified from an accident investigation involving spalling and missing components in the tail rotor assembly.
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