EASA AD 2024-0084-E
SUPERSEDED BY EASA EMERGENCY AD 2024-0211-E
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0084-E is an emergency directive addressing the main landing gear shock absorber assemblies on Leonardo AB139 and AW139 helicopters. It mandates repetitive ultrasonic inspections to detect fatigue cracking in specific shock absorber parts with part numbers 3G3210V00333 and 3G3210V01031. The directive aims to prevent structural failure of the main landing gear that could lead to helicopter damage or occupant injury.
What Changed
This new emergency airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive special detailed inspections of the affected main landing gear shock absorber assemblies using ultrasonic testing. It requires replacement of any parts found with discrepancies and establishes inspection intervals based on the number of landings accumulated by the part. The directive also allows installation of only serviceable parts from the effective date.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of AB139 and AW139 helicopters. Detecting and correcting fatigue cracks in the main landing gear shock absorbers prevents potential structural failures that could cause accidents. Compliance teams must integrate these inspections into maintenance schedules to meet regulatory requirements and avoid grounding of aircraft.
What To Do
Operators of Leonardo AB139 and AW139 helicopters must perform ultrasonic inspections of the main landing gear shock absorber assemblies within specified compliance times based on part usage, starting no later than 15 April 2024. Any parts showing defects must be replaced before further flight. Inspection results must be reported to Leonardo within 10 days. Only serviceable parts may be installed from the effective date onward.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.