Main Rotor Drive — Rotor Brake Control Cable — Inspection
- 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 rotor brake control cables within 50 flight hours after 23 March 2021 and then every 100 flight hours thereafter, following Leonardo's Alert Service Bulletin instructions. Any defects found must be corrected by replacing the cable before the next flight. Inspection results must be reported to Leonardo within 30 days of detection or the effective date, whichever is later.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0067 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Leonardo S.p.A. A109 and AW109 helicopter models equipped with specific rotor brake kits and control cables. The directive mandates inspections of the main rotor drive rotor brake control cable to prevent uncommanded activation of the rotor brake system.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of the rotor brake control cable on affected Leonardo A109 and AW109 helicopters. It requires replacement of any defective control cable found during inspections and mandates reporting of inspection results to Leonardo. The directive also sets conditions for installation of affected parts after the effective date.
Why it matters
This directive addresses a safety risk where the rotor brake control cable can jam, causing unintended rotor brake activation and potential loss of helicopter control. Compliance is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to ensure continued airworthiness and prevent damage to critical helicopter systems. It also ensures regulatory compliance with EASA continuing airworthiness requirements.
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