EASA AD 2022-0254
SUPERSEDED BY EASA AD 2024-0019
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0254 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting SAFRAN Helicopter Engines RTM 322-01/9A engines, commonly installed on NH Industries NH90 military helicopters. This directive mandates compliance with updated airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks as specified in the SAFRAN RTM 322-01/9A Engine Base Maintenance Manual Airworthiness Limitations Section approved on 30 October 2022. It ensures continued airworthiness by enforcing mandatory inspections and life limits for specific engine components.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2022-0254 supersedes the previous AD 2022-0118 and introduces new and more restrictive maintenance tasks and limitations, including mandatory inspections for turbine modules with a new Stage 1 High Pressure Turbine blade part number and engines equipped with a new combustion chamber part number. The directive updates the Airworthiness Limitations Section to reflect these changes and reduces thresholds or intervals where applicable.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it ensures the safe operation and continued airworthiness of RTM 322-01/9A engines by enforcing updated maintenance requirements. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent unsafe conditions that could arise from component failures. Compliance also aligns with European regulations, avoiding regulatory penalties and ensuring operational safety.
What To Do
Operators and maintenance teams must implement the updated maintenance tasks and life limits as specified in the latest Airworthiness Limitations Section starting from 2 January 2023. They must revise the approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months of the effective date to incorporate these changes. Any discrepancies found during inspections must be corrected within the specified compliance times or before the next flight if no time is given.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.