EASA AD 2022-0180
Tail Rotor Drive — Fan Assembly — Inspection / Modification
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0180 is an airworthiness directive addressing the tail rotor drive fan assembly on Airbus Helicopters AS 355 E, F, F1, F2, and N models. It mandates inspection and modification of specific right-hand and left-hand fan support parts to prevent failure. The directive applies to all serial numbers of these helicopter models and focuses on parts with certain part numbers prone to cracking or breaking.
What Changed
This directive supersedes EASA AD 2022-0069 and retains its inspection requirements while adding a mandatory modification to replace affected fan support parts with serviceable ones. It introduces a terminating action that ends repetitive inspections once the modification is completed. The directive also prohibits installation of affected parts after specified dates depending on helicopter group classification.
Why It Matters
This AD is critical for aviation professionals because failure of the fan support parts can lead to loss of main gearbox and engine oil cooling and tail rotor drive, potentially causing loss of helicopter control. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft safety and airworthiness. The directive clarifies compliance timelines and corrective actions to mitigate risk of in-flight failures.
What To Do
Operators of affected AS 355 helicopters must perform repetitive inspections of the fan support legs within 50 flight hours or 6 months after 3 May 2022 and continue at intervals not exceeding these limits. If cracks or breaks are found, the affected parts must be replaced with serviceable parts before the next flight. All affected helicopters must complete the modification within 600 flight hours or 24 months after 12 September 2022, the effective date of this AD.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.