Equipment / Furnishings — Hoist Cable Cutter Frame — Modification
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of Leonardo AB139 and AW139 helicopters with affected hoist control panels must install the hoist cable cutter frame within 200 flight hours from 12 June 2020. Additionally, no affected hoist control panels without the frame may be installed on any helicopter after the modification deadline. Maintenance and compliance teams should follow Leonardo Alert Service Bulletin 139-637 for modification instructions.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0131 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Leonardo S.p.A. AB139 and AW139 helicopters. It addresses the hoist cable cutter frame installed on single and double hoist control panels with specific part numbers. The directive mandates a modification to prevent inadvertent activation of the hoist cable cutter during night operations.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces a mandatory modification requiring the installation of a hoist cable cutter frame on affected hoist control panels. The modification is intended to prevent unintended activation of the hoist cable cutter caused by accidental contact with the adjacent searchlight thumb switch. The directive also prohibits installation of affected parts without the frame after the modification deadline.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because inadvertent activation of the hoist cable cutter can cause serious injury to personnel or damage to equipment during helicopter operations. Operators and maintenance teams must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft airworthiness and operational safety. Failure to comply could result in unsafe conditions and regulatory non-compliance.
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