Main Rotor — Spherical Bearing — Inspection / Time Limit
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of AS 350 BB helicopters must perform a visual inspection of the spherical bearing elastomer within 25 flight hours after 3 December 2019 and then at intervals not exceeding 10 flight hours or after the last flight of the day. Any detected discrepancies require immediate corrective action before the next flight. Additionally, affected bearings must be replaced before exceeding 6,400 flight hours or within 165 flight hours after the effective date if already beyond 6,235 flight hours.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2019-0280 is an airworthiness directive issued for Airbus Helicopters AS 350 BB models. It addresses the inspection and life limit requirements for the main rotor spherical thrust bearing, part number 579085. The directive mandates inspections and replacement of these bearings to ensure continued airworthiness.
What changed
This new directive introduces a mandatory service life limit of 6,400 flight hours for the spherical thrust bearing and requires repetitive visual inspections of the bearing elastomer at specified intervals. It also establishes corrective actions if discrepancies are found during inspections and sets clear replacement timelines based on accumulated flight hours.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it prevents potential failure of the main rotor spherical bearing, which could lead to loss of aircraft control. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to avoid unsafe conditions and maintain regulatory conformity. The directive also clarifies inspection intervals and replacement criteria, aiding in maintenance planning and risk management.
More for Airbus Helicopters AS 350
All 99- EASA AD 2025-0159R1Placards and Markings – Unlock Sliding Door – InstallationOct 19, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0052R2Instruments – Fuse Cover Attachment of Circuit Breaker Panel – ModificationSep 24, 2026
- EASA AD 2023-0214R1Fuselage – Tail Rotor Drive Shaft / Rear Transmission Bearing Support – Inspections / ModificationSep 16, 2026
- EASA AD 2024-0144R1Tail Rotor Drive – Shaft-Line – Check / Measurement / ModificationSep 16, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0146
Get the next one by email
New ADs and bulletins for Airbus Helicopters AS 350, Helicopters EC 130 and Helicopters AS 350 BB, summarized like this page, every Monday.