Tail Rotor – Tail Rotor Blades – Inspection/Replacement
Superseded. Comply with 2023-0128-E, 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 must perform a visual inspection of affected tail rotor blades before the next flight after 16 August 2022, with dye penetrant inspections and replacements required if defects are found. Helicopters with blades exceeding 500 flight hours since new are exempt from inspection. Installation of affected blades is prohibited unless inspected and cleared. One ferry flight without passengers is allowed if immediate inspection or replacement is not possible.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0169-E is an emergency directive addressing safety concerns for Airbus Helicopters SA 341 G and SA 342 J (Gazelle) models. It mandates inspection and possible replacement of tail rotor blades with specific part numbers due to manufacturing defects that could lead to in-flight tail rotor blade loss. The directive applies to all serial numbers of these helicopter models.
What changed
This new emergency airworthiness directive introduces a one-time inspection requirement for affected tail rotor blades and prohibits installation of defective parts unless they have passed specified inspections. It also allows a single ferry flight under certain conditions and requires replacement of blades found with defects or with unknown flight hours.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a high-risk safety issue that could result in loss of helicopter control. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to prevent potential accidents caused by tail rotor blade failure. It also impacts parts management by restricting installation of non-compliant blades.
More for Airbus Helicopters SA 341
All 7- EASA SIB 2023-11Hand Fire Extinguisher (HFE) / Check of the absence of discharge of the HFEOct 24, 2023
- EASA AD 2023-0168Tail Rotor Drive — Transmission Inclined and Horizontal Drive Shaft — InspectionAug 31, 2023
- EASA AD 2023-0155Main Rotor — Main Rotor Blade Leading Edge Protection — InspectionJul 31, 2023
- EASA AD 2023-0128-ETail Rotor — Tail Rotor Blades — Inspection / ReplacementJun 26, 2023
- EASA AD 2023-0002Rotors Flight Control — Pilot Collective Pitch Stick Handle Grip — Replacement
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New ADs and bulletins for Airbus Helicopters SA 341, Helicopters 342, Helicopters SA 341 G and Helicopters SA 342 J, summarized like this page, every Monday.