EASA AD 2022-0077-E
Rotors Flight Control — Flight Control Flexball Cables — Replacement
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0077-E is an emergency directive addressing flight control flexball cables on various Airbus Helicopters models including AS 350, AS 355, EC 130, EC 135, EC 635, and MBB-BK 117 series. The directive identifies specific part numbers and serial numbers of flexball cables that are not compliant with approved design standards. It mandates replacement of these affected parts to ensure continued airworthiness and safe flight control operation.
What Changed
This new regulation introduces a mandatory replacement requirement for flight control flexball cables identified as defective due to increased friction risk that could lead to flight control jamming. It prohibits installation of any affected flexball cable parts on the listed helicopter models from the effective date. The directive also provides detailed identification of affected parts by part number and serial number.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential safety hazard that could result in loss of helicopter control. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure affected parts are replaced promptly to maintain compliance and flight safety. Compliance teams need to track affected serial numbers and part numbers to avoid installation of non-compliant components.
What To Do
Operators of the affected helicopter models must replace any installed affected flight control flexball cables with serviceable parts before the next flight after 2 May 2022. A single ferry flight without passengers is permitted to reach a maintenance facility for the replacement. From the effective date, installation of any affected flexball cable parts is prohibited on all helicopters covered by this directive.
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