Airworthiness DirectiveEASA AD 2019-0225-E

Main Rotor Drive - Main Gearbox Drive Shaft / Engine Coupling - Inspection

Published: Sep 11, 2019
Effective: Sep 13, 2019
Deadline: Sep 13, 2019

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

What to do

Operators of AS 350 B3 and EC 130 T2 helicopters equipped with SAFRAN ARRIEL 2D engines and with less than 300 flight hours must perform a one-time visual inspection of the main gearbox drive shaft and engine coupling before the next flight after 2019-09-13. Any discrepancies found must be reported to Airbus Helicopters and corrected before further flight. Inspection results, including no findings, must be reported within 7 days after inspection completion.

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0225-E is an emergency directive addressing the inspection of the main gearbox drive shaft and engine coupling on Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3 and EC 130 T2 models equipped with SAFRAN ARRIEL 2D engines. It mandates a one-time visual inspection of the affected parts on helicopters with less than 300 flight hours since first flight. The directive aims to ensure continued airworthiness following an accident involving an AS 350 B3 helicopter.

What changed

This new emergency airworthiness directive introduces a mandatory one-time visual inspection of the main gearbox drive shaft installation and related flexible couplings on specified Airbus Helicopters models. It requires operators to report inspection results to Airbus Helicopters and to perform corrective actions if discrepancies are found. The directive applies immediately to recently delivered helicopters with less than 300 flight hours.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential safety risk identified after an accident, ensuring early detection of possible defects in the main rotor drive system. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply promptly to avoid unsafe flight conditions and regulatory non-compliance. The directive also facilitates communication of inspection results to the manufacturer for ongoing safety assessment.

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