[Correction] Fuselage — Rear Structure Junction Frame Reinforcement Angles — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2014-0076R3
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform initial and repetitive inspections of the affected parts within specified flight hour thresholds and intervals, following Airbus Helicopters' service bulletin instructions. If cracks are found, corrective actions must be taken before further flight. Incorporating the optional modification service bulletin terminates the need for repetitive inspections. The effective date for compliance is April 5, 2022.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0051 is a corrective directive addressing inspection requirements for the rear structure junction frame reinforcement angles on Airbus Helicopters AS 350 and AS 355 models. It applies to specific serial numbers and affected parts, including junction frames reinforced by modification 073215 or equipped with certain reinforcement angles. The directive mandates repetitive inspections to detect cracks that could lead to tail boom loss and specifies optional modification as a terminating action.
What changed
EASA AD 2022-0051 supersedes the previous AD 2014-0076R3 and corrects typographical errors in referenced AD numbers. It expands the applicability to include additional AS 355 NP helicopters found to have affected parts despite prior exclusions. The directive retains inspection requirements and clarifies compliance timelines and corrective actions.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to prevent structural failure of the tail boom due to undetected cracks in reinforcement angles. Operators and maintenance organizations must adhere to the inspection intervals to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. Compliance helps avoid potential catastrophic failures and aligns with regulatory requirements for aircraft operation.
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