Fuselage – Rear Transmission Bearing Support – Inspection
Superseded. Comply with 2021-0283R1, which replaces this document.
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of EC 130 T2 helicopters with modification 074581 must perform visual inspections of the rear transmission bearing support rivets and local structure before the next flight or within 7 days of the AD's effective date, whichever is sooner, and continue inspections after each last flight. If any damage or missing rivets are found, operators must obtain and implement repair instructions from Airbus Helicopters before further flight. Ongoing compliance with these inspections is mandatory until further notice.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0235-E is an emergency directive addressing a safety issue on Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 models equipped with modification 074581. It mandates repetitive inspections of the rear transmission shaft bearing support rivets and surrounding structure to detect cracks or damage. This directive aims to prevent potential failure of the tail rotor drive shaft and loss of yaw control.
What changed
This new emergency AD introduces mandatory visual inspections of the rear transmission bearing support rivets and local structure for cracks before the next flight and during each after last flight (ALF) inspection. It requires corrective actions if any rivets are missing, loose, sheared, or if cracks are found, including contacting Airbus Helicopters for approved repair instructions. No terminating action is provided, indicating further ADs may follow.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance teams to ensure the structural integrity of the tail rotor drive system, preventing potential catastrophic failure and loss of helicopter control. Compliance with this AD is essential to maintain airworthiness and operational safety of affected EC 130 T2 helicopters. It also impacts maintenance scheduling and resource allocation due to the requirement for repetitive inspections.
More for Airbus Helicopters AS 350
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- EASA AD 2026-0052R2Instruments – Fuse Cover Attachment of Circuit Breaker Panel – ModificationSep 24, 2026
- EASA AD 2023-0214R1Fuselage – Tail Rotor Drive Shaft / Rear Transmission Bearing Support – Inspections / ModificationSep 16, 2026
- EASA AD 2024-0144R1Tail Rotor Drive – Shaft-Line – Check / Measurement / ModificationSep 16, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0146
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