Main Rotor — Rotating Swashplate Yokes — Inspection / Restoration / Service Life Limit
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2023-0042
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform detailed inspections of the affected swashplate yokes within specified compliance times and repeat them every 110 flight hours or 2 months, whichever occurs first. Protective paint restoration is required if no cracks are found, and any detected cracks or corrosion must be addressed per the Airbus Helicopters service bulletin instructions. Affected parts must be replaced before exceeding 13 years since manufacture, and inspection results must be reported to Airbus Helicopters within 7 days if cracks are found.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0205 is an airworthiness directive addressing Airbus Helicopters EC 225 LP main rotor rotating swashplate yokes, specifically Part Numbers 332A31-3074-00 and 332A31-3074-01. It mandates inspections, restoration, and service life limits to prevent structural failure due to cracking caused by environmental ageing. The directive updates inspection methods and protective paint restoration requirements to ensure continued airworthiness.
What changed
This directive supersedes EASA AD 2023-0042 and introduces repetitive detailed inspections using eddy current methods instead of visual inspections for crack detection. It also requires restoration of protective paint coatings on affected parts and enforces a strict service life limit of 13 years for the swashplate yokes. Additionally, it prohibits stripping yokes according to previous ASB revisions and mandates reporting of any crack findings to Airbus Helicopters.
Why it matters
This AD is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to prevent potential loss of helicopter control caused by undetected cracks in the main rotor swashplate yokes. It ensures safer operation by enforcing more effective inspection techniques and timely replacement of ageing parts. Compliance with these updated requirements helps maintain regulatory conformity and reduces the risk of in-service failures.
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