EASA AD 2025-0064
Engine Exhaust — Ejector Duct — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0064 is an airworthiness directive addressing inspection requirements for the engine exhaust ejector ducts on Leonardo S.p.A. AW189 helicopters. It applies to ejector ducts with part numbers 8G7810P00131 (left-hand side) and 8G7810P00231 (right-hand side) installed on all serial numbers of AW189 helicopters. The directive mandates repetitive inspections to detect cracking and potential damage that could affect flight safety.
What Changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0064 supersedes AD 2023-0149 and introduces more stringent inspection intervals for certain helicopters identified as Group 2, which have a higher likelihood of cracking. The inspection area has been extended to include exhaust bracket reinforcements, and the directive requires reporting of findings to Leonardo. This AD partially retains previous requirements but reduces compliance times and inspection intervals for affected helicopters.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving potential detachment of ejector duct parts that could impact the tailplane or tail rotor, leading to loss of control. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply with the updated inspection intervals and reporting requirements to ensure continued airworthiness and prevent accidents. Compliance teams need to track these changes to avoid regulatory violations and maintain operational safety.
What To Do
Operators of Leonardo AW189 helicopters must perform inspections of the affected ejector ducts within 25 flight hours for Group 1 helicopters and within 10 flight hours for Group 2 helicopters after the effective date of this AD, then continue inspections at specified intervals. Any detected discrepancies require immediate replacement of the affected part before next flight and reporting to Leonardo within 30 days. Compliance with the Leonardo Alert Service Bulletin 189-384 Revision A is mandatory.