Fuselage - Fuselage Frame - Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK 117 C-2 with STC SR00592DE must remove the recessed medical wall rack and inspect the fuselage frame for cracks and loose rivets before further flight. Any cracks found must be repaired before returning the helicopter to service. Inspection results, photographs, total hours since STC installation, and helicopter serial numbers must be submitted to the FAA within 10 hours time-in-service after inspection. Installation of specified medical wall components is prohibited.
Summary
Federal Register Volume 84, Number 171 (September 4, 2019) Final Rule Airworthiness Directive 2019-10-51 addresses all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This directive mandates inspection of the fuselage frame for fatigue cracks and prohibits installation of certain recessed medical wall components installed under Supplemental Type Certificate SR00592DE. The directive aims to mitigate risks of structural failure due to reported cracks in the fuselage frame.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive requires removal of the recessed medical wall rack, inspection of the fuselage frame box beam for cracks and loose rivets before further flight, and submission of inspection results to the FAA within 10 hours time-in-service. It also prohibits installation of specific medical wall assembly parts associated with STC SR00592DE. Unlike the related service bulletin, this AD mandates immediate inspection before flight and does not require repetitive inspections or contacting the manufacturer for crack disposition.
Why it matters
This AD is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving fatigue cracks that could lead to in-flight structural failure and loss of control. Operators and maintenance teams must comply promptly to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of affected helicopters. The directive also impacts compliance management by requiring timely reporting of inspection results to the FAA for further safety analysis.
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