Tail Rotor Drive — Gearbox Output Shaft — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2018-0156
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must inspect the 90° TGB shaft within 25 flight hours or 3 months after the effective date, or within 6 months after the last inspection under the previous AD, whichever is sooner. If an affected part is installed, inspections must be repeated every 6 months. Any corrosion found requires immediate replacement of the shaft before further flight. Installation of these parts requires prior identification and inspection as specified.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0206 is an airworthiness directive addressing the inspection of the tail rotor gearbox (TGB) output shaft on Leonardo S.p.A. A119 and AW119MKII helicopters. It mandates inspections of specific 90° TGB shafts, part number 109-0443-03-107, due to reported corrosion issues that could lead to tail rotor failure and reduced helicopter control. The directive updates previous requirements and expands the list of affected parts.
What changed
This directive supersedes EASA AD 2018-0156 and expands the population of affected 90° TGB shafts subject to inspection. It updates inspection instructions and requires identification and repetitive inspections of these parts, including those potentially reinstalled on different gearboxes. The directive retains previous inspection requirements while broadening the scope to ensure safety.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to prevent tail rotor failure caused by corrosion in the gearbox output shaft, which could compromise helicopter control. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of affected Leonardo A119 and AW119MKII helicopters. Non-compliance could lead to unsafe flight conditions and regulatory penalties.
More for Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters A109
All 51- EASA AD 2026-0168Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Gear Box and Chip Detector – InspectionAug 24, 2026
- EASA AD 2024-0004R1Fuselage – Centre Fuselage Frame Assembly – Inspection / Repair / ModificationAug 10, 2026
- EASA PAD 26-088Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Gear Box and Chip Detector – InspectionJul 23, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0115Stabilizers – Torque Tube Assembly – InspectionJun 15, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0045Rotors Flight Control — Collective Stick Torque Tube Assembly — Inspection / Replacement
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