NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation to EASA Regarding Eurocopter Rotor Blade Inspections

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a safety recommendation, designated as A-11-038, addressed to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This directive is linked to NTSB number MIA07FA116 and references prior safety recommendation A-11-37. The core of the recommendation requires that once the Eurocopter aircraft maintenance manual is revised in accordance with the previously mentioned safety recommendation, EASA must require operators of all Eurocopter helicopters equipped with main rotor blades bearing part numbers 355A11-0020 and/or 355A11-0030 to update their maintenance manuals. These updated manuals must include specific daily visual inspections of the trailing edge of the blades’ upper and lower skin surfaces. The purpose of these inspections is to detect cracks and any surface deterioration or disfiguration. This measure aims to ensure that potential structural issues are identified early through routine checks, thereby enhancing the safety profile of these specific helicopter models under EASA jurisdiction.