Rotors Flight Control — Ball Bearing Control System — Inspections
- Published
- Effective
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected EC135 and EC635 helicopters must perform a one-time inspection within 50 flight hours or 2 months after 19 February 2026, whichever occurs first. Repetitive inspections must then be conducted every 3 months, with possible deferral to 6 months if the helicopter is not operated in a corrosive environment. Any discrepancies found during inspections must be corrected before further flight. Installation of actuator assemblies or affected parts is only allowed if they are serviceable as defined in the directive.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2026-0024 is issued for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH EC135 and EC635 helicopter models with serial numbers 0005 to 1276 inclusive. It addresses inspections of the rotors flight control ball bearing control system, specifically focusing on the yaw actuator assemblies and control rods. The directive mandates inspections to detect potential failures that could lead to loss of tail rotor control.
What changed
This new directive introduces mandatory one-time and repetitive inspections for helicopters equipped with specific yaw actuator assemblies and control rods. It expands the scope beyond previous directives by including helicopters with different configurations that may be affected by similar unsafe conditions. It also allows installation of serviceable parts under defined conditions and provides detailed corrective actions if discrepancies are found.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety issue that could result in loss of helicopter control due to broken control rods in the yaw actuator. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and prevent accidents. Compliance teams need to integrate these inspections into maintenance schedules to avoid operational disruptions and regulatory penalties.
More for Airbus Helicopters EC135
All 49- EASA AD 2026-0188Instruments – Warning Unit Emergency Off Switches – Operational CheckSep 30, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0131Engine Fuel & Control – Electronic Engine Control Unit – Software Update; Engine Fuel & Control – Preference Injector – Non-extinguishing Test / ReplacementJul 6, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0032Tail Rotor — Tail Rotor Blades — InspectionFeb 19, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0031Tail Rotor — Tail Rotor Blades — InspectionFeb 19, 2026
- EASA AD 2025-0260
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