Main Rotor — Main Rotor Blades — Inspection
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- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of AS 350 B, B1, B2, BA, BB, D and AS 355 E, F, F1, F2, N helicopters must perform a tapping inspection of affected main rotor blades within 55 flight hours or 6 months from 26 December 2022, whichever occurs first, and repeat every 165 flight hours thereafter. If disbonding is found within limits, repair or replace the blade before next flight; if beyond limits, replace before next flight. Installation of affected parts is restricted to serviceable parts only, and replacement with non-affected blades terminates inspection requirements.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0246 is an airworthiness directive addressing inspection requirements for main rotor blades on Airbus Helicopters AS 350 and AS 355 models. It applies to specific part numbers of main rotor blades that have shown occurrences of debonding on the stainless steel leading edge protection. The directive mandates repetitive inspections and, depending on findings, repair or replacement of affected parts to ensure continued airworthiness.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0246 introduces new mandatory repetitive tapping inspections for affected main rotor blades on AS 350 and AS 355 helicopters. It prohibits installation of non-serviceable affected parts and requires corrective actions including repair or replacement if disbonding is detected. This is a new regulation addressing a previously unregulated unsafe condition.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk that could lead to main rotor or main gearbox failure, potentially causing loss of helicopter control. Operators and maintenance organizations must implement these inspections to detect and correct debonding issues early. Compliance ensures the safety and reliability of affected helicopters and prevents costly unplanned maintenance or accidents.
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