EASA AD 2022-0021
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2023-0147
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0021 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus Helicopters AS 332 L2 and EC 225 LP models. It addresses the recalculation of life limits, replacement, and modification requirements for main gearbox suspension bar pins, fittings, and related plates. The directive ensures continued airworthiness by mandating updated maintenance and inspection procedures for these critical components.
What Changed
This directive supersedes EASA AD 2017-0189 and introduces requirements for recalculating the service life of affected pins and fittings with an add-on penalty factor. It mandates replacement of parts before exceeding revised life limits and requires modification of helicopters to incorporate design improvements through specific service bulletins. Additionally, it prohibits installation of pre-modification pins on Group 2 helicopters and introduces new tightening torque checks for improved pins.
Why It Matters
The directive is crucial for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential unsafe condition that could lead to structural failure of main gearbox suspension bar components. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to ensure flight safety and regulatory conformity. The updated life limits and modification requirements impact maintenance planning, part replacement schedules, and inspection routines, thereby affecting operational reliability and safety.
What To Do
Operators of affected AS 332 L2 and EC 225 LP helicopters must recalculate the life of affected pins and fittings within 30 flight hours after 3 August 2017 and apply an add-on factor thereafter. Replacement of parts must occur before exceeding the recalculated service life limits. Helicopters must be modified within 825 flight hours or within the specified calendar compliance times (27 months for AS 332 L2 and 40 months for EC 225 LP) following the directive's effective date of 15 February 2022. Installation of pre-modification pins is prohibited on modified helicopters.
Your fleet's weekly compliance brief
AI-summarized regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and action items — filtered to your aircraft, every Monday.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.