Stabilizers – Torque Tube Assembly – Inspection
- Published
- Effective
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Leonardo A109 helicopters must inspect the torque tube assembly within 50 flight hours after 29 June 2026 and perform repetitive maintenance tasks every 800 flight hours thereafter. If debonding is found, replacement must be done within specified flight hour limits depending on the extent of debonding. All findings of cracks, corrosion, or debonding must be reported to Leonardo within 30 days. Installation of affected parts is only allowed if they are serviceable.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2026-0115 is issued for Leonardo S.p.A. A109 series helicopters including A109A, A109AII, A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109LUH, A109S, and AW109SP models. It mandates inspections of the horizontal stabilizer torque tube assembly to detect debonding issues that could lead to cracks and potential loss of the horizontal stabilizer. The directive applies to specific part numbers and serial numbers of torque tube assemblies as detailed in the document.
What changed
This new Airworthiness Directive introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of affected torque tube assemblies on specified Leonardo A109 helicopter models. It requires corrective actions including replacement of parts if debonding is detected, with compliance times based on the severity of the debonding. The directive also sets conditions for installation of serviceable parts and reporting requirements for detected discrepancies.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk that could lead to loss of helicopter control due to failure of the horizontal stabilizer torque tube assembly. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to prevent in-flight structural failures. It also impacts maintenance planning and parts management by defining affected parts and inspection intervals.
More for Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters A109
All 51- EASA AD 2026-0168Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Gear Box and Chip Detector – InspectionAug 24, 2026
- EASA AD 2024-0004R1Fuselage – Centre Fuselage Frame Assembly – Inspection / Repair / ModificationAug 10, 2026
- EASA PAD 26-088Tail Rotor Drive – Tail Gear Box and Chip Detector – InspectionJul 23, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0045Rotors Flight Control — Collective Stick Torque Tube Assembly — Inspection / ReplacementMar 4, 2026
- EASA PAD 26-014
Get the next one by email
New ADs and bulletins for these 10 aircraft types, summarized like this page, every Monday.