Main Rotor — Swashplate Assembly — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must inspect the swashplate assembly on affected helicopters before the next flight after 16 January 2023, following the instructions in the Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin. If the inner ring is missing or its presence cannot be confirmed, operators must contact Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH for approved corrective instructions and comply within the specified timeframe. From the effective date, installation of affected swashplate parts is only permitted if the inner ring is confirmed installed.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0006-E is an emergency directive addressing the inspection of the main rotor swashplate assembly on Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH MBB-BK117 and BO105 helicopter models. It applies to all variants and serial numbers of BO105 A, C, D, S, LS A-1, LS A-3 (including 'Superlifter' STC-modified versions), and MBB-BK117 A-1 through D-2 helicopters. The directive mandates inspection of specific swashplate parts identified by multiple part numbers to ensure the proper installation of the inner ring.
What changed
This new emergency airworthiness directive introduces a mandatory inspection requirement for the swashplate inner ring on affected helicopter models due to a reported occurrence of a missing inner ring. It requires operators to inspect the affected parts before the next flight after the effective date and to take corrective actions if the inner ring is missing or its installation cannot be confirmed. Additionally, it restricts installation of affected parts unless the inner ring is verified as installed.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because failure to detect a missing swashplate inner ring could lead to loss of helicopter control, posing a significant safety risk. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure timely inspections and corrective measures to maintain airworthiness and regulatory compliance. The directive also impacts parts installation procedures, requiring verification of the inner ring to prevent unsafe conditions.
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- EASA AD 2019-0024Airworthiness Limitation Section – TT-Straps – Storage Life LimitFeb 4, 2019
- EASA AD 2016-0142R1Main Rotor — Swashplate Assembly — Replacement / Inspection
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