🚁New Airworthiness Directive for Airbus Helicopters Announced
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Summary
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-09-14 which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2021-09-14 required repetitively inspecting for a gap between the main gearbox (MGB) oil cooling fan assembly (fan) rotor blade and the upper section of the guide vane bearing housing, installing improved MGB fan rotor shaft bearings, and repetitively inspecting the improved MGB fan rotor shaft bearings. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-09-14, Airbus has developed modifications to the components of the MGB fan bearing assembly and issued new material regarding these modifications. This AD retains the actions required by AD 2021-09-14 and also requires installing the improved MGB fan rotor bearing assembly, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Agencies
- Transportation Department
- Federal Aviation Administration
Business Impact
$$$ - High
The regulation mandates adherence to updated airworthiness directives concerning Airbus helicopters, requiring inspections and modifications that may incur significant costs for compliance. Businesses operating these helicopters must budget for inspection and repair costs estimated to be around $10,680 per helicopter, creating a financial obligation.