Tail Rotor — Shaft Assembly — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Leonardo A109 helicopters must perform initial inspections within 25 flight hours or 3 months from 1 July 2021, whichever occurs first, and continue with repetitive inspections at specified intervals. Any detected discrepancies must be corrected before further flight, and reports of findings must be submitted to Leonardo within 30 days of inspection. Installation of affected parts is allowed only if they are serviceable, and replacing affected parts with updated parts can terminate repetitive inspection requirements.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0144 is an airworthiness directive addressing the inspection of tail rotor shaft assemblies on Leonardo S.p.A. A109 series helicopters, including models A109C, A109K2, A109E, A109S, and AW109SP. The directive mandates inspections and measurements of specific tail rotor sleeve assemblies and related components to detect cracks and prevent potential failure of the tail rotor mast.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of affected tail rotor sleeve assemblies and bushings, a one-time inspection of the tail rotor shaft assembly, and corrective actions if discrepancies are found. It also requires reporting of any defects discovered during inspections and defines serviceable and updated parts for compliance.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving potential tail rotor mast failure, which could lead to loss of helicopter control. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft airworthiness and safety. The directive also provides clear instructions for inspections and repairs, helping maintenance teams to effectively manage the affected components.
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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