Tail Rotor Drive — Pitch Control Rod Bearing — Inspection / Replacement
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2022-0038
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of Airbus Helicopters SA 365 C1, C2, C3, and N models must perform magnetic plug inspections at specified intervals not exceeding 10 flight hours for Group 1 helicopters and conduct a one-time inspection of the tail rotor gearbox control rod dual bearing within 110 flight hours or 4 months for Group 2 helicopters. If inspection reveals particles outside defined limits, immediate replacement of the tail rotor gearbox or affected bearing is required before the next flight. All inspections and corrective actions must follow the instructions in the referenced Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletins.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0001 is an airworthiness directive addressing the inspection and replacement of the pitch control rod dual bearing in the tail rotor drive of Airbus Helicopters SA 365 C1, C2, C3, and N models. It applies to all serial numbers of these helicopters and focuses on dual bearings with Part Number 360A33-4052-00 installed on specific tail rotor gearboxes. The directive mandates inspections to detect bearing degradation that could lead to loss of yaw control.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0001 supersedes AD 2022-0038 and retains its requirements while introducing a new one-time inspection for Group 2 helicopters that have accumulated 500 flight hours or more on the affected parts. It also updates inspection intervals and corrective actions based on findings from magnetic plug inspections and metallurgical particle analysis. This AD is considered an interim measure pending further regulatory action.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a potential unsafe condition that could result in loss of helicopter yaw control, posing a significant safety risk. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply with the inspection and replacement requirements to ensure continued airworthiness and regulatory compliance. Failure to detect and correct bearing degradation could lead to in-flight failures and compromise flight safety.
More for Airbus Helicopters SA
All 58- EASA AD 2026-0195Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Gear Box Control Rod Bearings – Replacement / Life LimitationOct 13, 2026
- EASA PAD 26-105Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Gear Box Control Rod Bearings – Replacement / Life LimitationSep 11, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0118Rotors Flight Control – Tail Rotor Actuator – InspectionJun 22, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0029Tail Rotor Drive — Tail Gear Box Input Flange — Functional ChecksFeb 12, 2026
- EASA PAD 26-017Powerplant — Engine Firewalls — Modification
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