Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Drive Line Rear Shaft and Damper – Inspections
Superseded. Comply with 2025-0296, which replaces this document.
- Published
- Effective
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of Airbus Helicopters H160-B must perform initial inspections within 55 flight hours or 3 months from 13 May 2025, whichever occurs first, and repeat inspections every 165 flight hours thereafter. If any damage or discrepancies are found during inspections, corrective actions must be completed before further flight or within the time specified in the Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin. Installation of affected parts is allowed only if inspections and corrections are performed as required.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0098 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus Helicopters H160-B models. It mandates inspections of the tail rotor drive rear shaft and damper components, specifically parts with part numbers U651A1100102, U651A1100103, U651A2200103, U535A2121207, and U535A2121208. The directive aims to ensure continued airworthiness by addressing potential contact and damage between the rear shaft and damper.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of the tail rotor drive rear shaft and damper area on H160-B helicopters. It requires inspections within 55 flight hours or 3 months after the effective date and subsequently every 165 flight hours. Corrective actions must be taken if discrepancies are found, following Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin H160-05-00-0004.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety risk where the tail rotor drive rear shaft may contact its damper, potentially leading to damper degradation or failure. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent loss of rear damper function, which could compromise helicopter safety. Compliance ensures regulatory adherence and reduces the risk of in-service failures.
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