EASA AD 2025-0273
Rotors Flight Control — Tail Rotor Pedals Support Bracket — Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0273 is an airworthiness directive addressing the inspection of tail rotor pedal support brackets on MECAER AVIATION GROUP S.p.A. NH-500D and AMD500N helicopters. The directive applies to specific serial numbers and targets tail rotor pedal support brackets with part numbers 369A7505-7, 369A7505-8, 369N2640-1, and 369N2640-2. It mandates inspections to detect cracks and corrosion to ensure continued safe operation.
What Changed
This new regulation introduces mandatory repetitive visual and fluorescent penetrant inspections of the affected tail rotor pedal support brackets. It also prohibits the installation of magnesium cast tail rotor pedal support brackets with part numbers 369A7505-7 and 369A7505-8. The directive requires replacement of any bracket found cracked or corroded with serviceable parts following the MECAER AVIATION GROUP service bulletin instructions.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for maintaining helicopter controllability and preventing potential loss of control due to failure of the tail rotor pedal support bracket. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid unsafe conditions that could lead to accidents. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and adherence to European Union aviation safety regulations.
What To Do
Operators of NH-500D helicopters with serial number BH13 and AMD500N helicopters with serial number 301 must perform a visual inspection within 25 flight hours after 16 December 2025 and repeat every 100 flight hours. Fluorescent penetrant inspections must be done within 50 flight hours and repeated every 300 flight hours. Any cracked or corroded parts must be replaced before further flight, and installation of magnesium cast brackets is prohibited from the effective date.