EASA AD 2024-0211-E
Main Landing Gear — Main Landing Gear Shock Absorber — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0211-E is an emergency directive addressing the inspection of main landing gear shock absorber assemblies on Leonardo AB139 and AW139 helicopters. It mandates repetitive ultrasonic inspections of specific affected parts with part numbers 3G3210V00333 and 3G3210V01031 to detect fatigue cracking. The directive applies to all serial numbers of these helicopter models and aims to prevent structural failure of the main landing gear.
What Changed
This directive supersedes EASA AD 2024-0084-E and introduces reduced initial inspection compliance times due to new occurrences of broken eye ends on the shock absorber piston rods. It retains the requirement for repetitive special detailed inspections and updates compliance intervals based on the number of landings accumulated by the affected parts. The directive also clarifies reporting requirements and allows installation of serviceable parts under specified conditions.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potentially unsafe condition that could lead to main landing gear failure, risking helicopter damage and occupant injury. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply with the updated inspection intervals to ensure continued airworthiness. Compliance teams need to track landing counts and inspection deadlines closely to avoid operational disruptions and regulatory non-compliance.
What To Do
Operators of Leonardo AB139 and AW139 helicopters must perform ultrasonic special detailed inspections on affected main landing gear shock absorber assemblies within the specified compliance times based on landing counts. Any detected discrepancies require immediate replacement of the affected part before further flight. Inspection results must be reported to Leonardo within 10 days, and only serviceable parts may be installed from the effective date of 11 November 2024.