Equipment / Furnishings — Hoist Boom Assembly — Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected EC135, EC635, and MBB-BK117 helicopters must inspect hoist boom assemblies before they accumulate 3,330 cycles or within 30 days after 7 April 2023, whichever is later, and then every 30 cycles thereafter. Inspections must follow the Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletins and Airworthiness Limitations Section instructions. Any discrepancies found must be corrected before the next hoist operation, or the affected part must be replaced with a serviceable one. Compliance with these inspections terminates the need for repetitive checks.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0066 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency concerning the inspection of hoist boom assemblies on Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH EC135, EC635, and MBB-BK117 helicopter models. The directive mandates repetitive inspections of specific hoist boom assembly parts identified by part numbers 44301-500, 44307-500, and 44307-500-1 to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. It applies to all variants and serial numbers of the affected helicopter models.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0066 introduces a new requirement for repetitive inspections of hoist boom assemblies based on accumulated cycles. It provides detailed instructions for determining accumulated cycles and mandates inspections before reaching 3,330 cycles or within 30 days of the directive's effective date, with subsequent inspections every 30 cycles. The directive also updates the Airworthiness Limitations Section and provides corrective actions for discrepancies found during inspections.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential unsafe condition that could lead to hoist boom assembly failure, risking load loss and injury. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to ensure the structural integrity of the hoist boom assemblies, maintain regulatory compliance, and avoid operational disruptions. The directive helps maintain safety standards and prolongs the service life of affected helicopter components.
More for Airbus Helicopters EC135
All 49- EASA AD 2026-0188Instruments – Warning Unit Emergency Off Switches – Operational CheckSep 30, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0131Engine Fuel & Control – Electronic Engine Control Unit – Software Update; Engine Fuel & Control – Preference Injector – Non-extinguishing Test / ReplacementJul 6, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0032Tail Rotor — Tail Rotor Blades — InspectionFeb 19, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0031Tail Rotor — Tail Rotor Blades — InspectionFeb 19, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0024
Get the next one by email
New ADs and bulletins for these 5 aircraft types, summarized like this page, every Monday.