Lights — Main Rotor Tip Light Fairings — Replacement
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must install the rescue hoist kit removable parts before each flight into known or expected icing conditions starting from the effective date. Within 400 flight hours or 12 months from 31 March 2021, affected main rotor tip light fairings must be replaced with serviceable parts following the Leonardo AW189 Alert Service Bulletin 189-265. After replacement, affected parts must not be reinstalled, and temporary installation of removable parts is no longer required.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0078 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Leonardo S.p.A. AW189 helicopters equipped with the Main Rotor tip lights kit P/N 8G3340F00411 combined with Full or Limited Ice Protection System kits. The directive addresses unsafe conditions related to ice accretion on specific main rotor tip light fairings during icing conditions.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory installation of rescue hoist kit removable parts as a temporary measure before flights in known or expected icing conditions. It also requires replacement of affected main rotor tip light fairings with serviceable parts within 400 flight hours or 12 months, and prohibits reinstallation of the affected parts after modification.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to prevent significant ice buildup on main rotor tip light fairings, which could lead to ice ingestion by engines and potential double engine in-flight shutdown. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and safety of AW189 helicopters operating in icing conditions, reducing the risk of loss of control due to engine failure.
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