EASA AD 2021-0290
[Correction] Time Limits / Maintenance Checks — Airworthiness Limitations Section — Amendment
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0290 is a correction issued on 23 December 2021 concerning Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH MBB-BK117 D-3 and D-3m helicopters. It mandates compliance with updated airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks as specified in the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) to ensure continued airworthiness. The directive applies to all serial numbers of the affected helicopter models.
What Changed
This directive introduces new and/or more restrictive maintenance tasks and limitations, including reduced inspection intervals for certain bolts. It also establishes a special compliance time for the initial inspection of specific bolt part numbers as detailed in the associated Alert Service Bulletin. The effective date was corrected in this republished version.
Why It Matters
Compliance with these updated airworthiness limitations is mandatory to prevent unsafe conditions that could arise from failure to perform required maintenance. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must update their maintenance programs to reflect these changes to ensure regulatory compliance and flight safety. Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in grounding of aircraft or unsafe operation.
What To Do
Operators must replace components before exceeding life limits and perform all maintenance tasks within specified thresholds and intervals starting from 6 January 2022. They must revise the approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months to incorporate the new ALS tasks and limitations. Any discrepancies found during inspections must be corrected within the specified compliance times or before the next flight if no time is specified.
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