**Executive Summary**
This Airworthiness Directive (PAD No. 25-001) issued by the Aircraft Engineering Directorate of the DGCA, effective forthwith, mandates a one-time crack detection check on the Non-Rotating Swash Plate (NRSP) of the Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) assembly for all civil Advanced Light Helicopters (Dhruv). This AD is a precautionary measure following a helicopter accident on January 5, 2025, and is issued on XX-XX-2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Applicability:**
* Applies to all civil variant Advanced Light Helicopters (Dhruv).
* Specifically includes Dhruv (CFW) models DW 28, DW 77, DW78, DCWF 01 to 04, DCWF 06, DCWF 07 and DCWF 08 and Dhruv (CS) models DS 35, DS 51 and DS 65 and all Civil Spare IDSs.
* **Required Action:**
* Perform a one-time crack detection check (Dye-penetrant method) on the Non-Rotating Swash Plate (NRSP) of the Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) assembly.
* The check must be performed as per Alert Service Bulletin No. 201 623 A503, Revision A, dated 07-05-2025, immediately after receipt of ASB.
* Endorsement of the checks carried out on the Non-Rotating Swash Plate is to be ensured on the separate log card of Upper Control System (UCS) assembly.
* Record compliance of the Alert Service Bulletin No. 201 623 A503, Revision A, dated 07-05-2025 in Helicopter log book and IDS Log Card.
* Monitor the IDS assembly for chip warnings for 10 hours after the check. Remove and send to HAL for further investigation/rectification if Class 'B' & 'C' chips are noticed.
* **Reason:**
* The directive is issued as a precautionary measure following an accident involving an Indian Coast Guard ALH Mk-III CG-859 on January 5, 2025, and is based on the Defect Investigation committee recommendation.
* **Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC):**
* The Joint Director General, in charge of Aircraft Engineering Directorate, DGCA, New Delhi, may accept Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) for this AD, if requested and appropriately substantiated.
* **Reference Publications:**
* RWR&DC, HAL Alert Service Bulletin No. 201 623 A503, Revision A, dated 07-05-2025
**Impact Analysis**
**Type Certificate (TC) holder/operators**
* **Impact:** Must comply with the AD to maintain an acceptable level of safety.
* **Action Required:** Perform the one-time crack detection check on the specified helicopters and document the results as required. Ensure continued monitoring of the IDS assembly.
**Aircraft Engineering Directorate, DGCA**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring compliance with the AD and may need to evaluate and approve AMOCs. They may also receive inquiries regarding the AD.
* **Action Required:** Address inquiries related to the AD, evaluate AMOC requests, and ensure compliance.
**Customer Service Department, ALH-Civil, Helicopter Division, HAL**
* **Impact:** May receive technical questions related to the AD and the Alert Service Bulletin.
* **Action Required:** Address technical questions and provide necessary support to operators.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The issuing authority of the Airworthiness Directive and the regulator for civil aviation in India.
Airworthiness Directive: The policy document itself which mandates specific actions for aircraft.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): Manufacturer of the affected aircraft (Dhruv helicopters) and involved in the investigations and rectification process.
Advanced Light Helicopters (Dhruv): The type of aircraft affected by this Airworthiness Directive.
CAR 21.3B: Regulatory reference under which the airworthiness directive is issued.
AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION
OPP: TO SAFDARJUNG AIRPORT
NEW DELHI - 110003
(PROPOSED / EMERGENCY) PAD No : 25-001
Issued/Date: XX-XX-2025
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
No person may operate an aircraft to which an Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance
with the requirements of that Airworthiness Directive unless otherwise agreed with the Authority of the
State of Registry.
Type Approval Holder: Type/Model designation(s):
Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre (RWR&DC),
All civil variant Advanced Light
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited,
Helicopters (Dhruv)
Bangalore.
Type Certificate 5-8/96 – RD
Data Sheet Number
Foreign AD Number Not applicable
Supersedure Not applicable
ATA Chapter Name: Name of the affected part / Required action:
system:
62 – MAIN ROTOR(S) One Time Check on Non-Rotating
Upper Control System Swash plate (NRSP) of Integrated
Dynamic System (IDS) assembly
Manufacturer Helicopter Division, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru
Applicability
Model number Serial Number
DW 28, DW 77, DW78, DCWF 01 to 04,
Dhruv (CFW)
DCWF 06, DCWF 07 and DCWF 08
Dhruv (CS) DS 35, DS 51 and DS 65
All Civil Spare IDSs
On 05th Jan 2025 at 1230 Hr, ALH Mk-III CG-859 of Indian Coast Guard met
Reason
with an accident at Porbandar Airport Runway in Gujrat. The ICG helicopter
was on a routine sortie and crash-landed resulting in fire and fatalities. Based
on Defect Investigation committee recommendation one time check for crack
detection on Non-Rotating Swash plate installed in IDS assembly is mandated.As a precautionary measure, this AD is issued to carry out one time check for
Crack Detection (Dye-penetrant method) on Non-Rotating Swash plate of IDS
assembly.
Effective Date Forthwith
Compliance For all civil ALH in operation:
Carry out one time check for Crack Detection (Dye-penetrant method) on Non-
Rotating Swash plate of IDS assembly, as per Alert Service Bulletin No. 201
623 A503, Revision A, dated 07-05-2025, immediately after receipt of ASB.
Note: Endorsement of the checks carried out on the Non-Rotating Swash Plate to be
ensured on the separate log card of Upper Control System (UCS) assembly. Record
the compliance of the Alert Service Bulletin No. 201 623 A503, Revision A, dated 07-
05-2025 in Helicopter log book and IDS Log Card.
After compliance of this one time check, IDS assembly to be monitored for any chip
warnings for a period of 10 hours. If any chip warnings (Class ‘B’ & ‘C’ chips) are
noticed, then IDS assembly to be removed from helicopter and sent to HAL for further
investigation/rectification.
Ref. Publications RWR&DC, HAL Alert Service Bulletin No. 201 623 A503, Revision A, dated
07-05-2025
Remarks 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, Joint Director General, in
charge of Aircraft Engineering Directorate, DGCA, New Delhi may accept
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
2. This AD was circulated as PAD YY-XXX for consultation on dd MMMM
YYYY with a comment period until dd MMMM YYYY. The Comment
Response Document can be found at https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-
portal/
3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be addressed to Joint Director
General, in-charge of Aircraft Engineering Directorate, Office of the
DGCA, Opposite Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi-110003.
e-mail: maneesh.dgca@nic.in
4. For any questions concerning the technical content of the requirements
in this AD or above referred ASB, please contact the Customer Service
Department, ALH-Civil, Helicopter Division, HAL, Post: Vimanapura,
Bangalore-560017, India.
Telephone Number: +91-080-2522 4088, Fax: +91-080-2522 3713
e-mail: csdcivilalh.hcop@hal-india.com
This AD, which prescribes/mandates action to be performed on the helicopters as stated above to
restore an acceptable level of safety, is hereby issued pursuant to CAR 21.3B. TC holder/operators are
required to comply with the above stated AD within the stipulated time.
(Maneesh Kumar)
Joint Director General
For Director General of Civil Aviation