EASA AD 2026-0125R1
Landing Gear – Nose landing Gear Hydraulic Actuator Rod End – Inspection
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2026-0125R1 is an updated regulatory requirement addressing the inspection of the nose landing gear hydraulic actuator rod end on Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH DA 42, DA 42 M, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG aeroplanes. The directive mandates repetitive inspections of specific part numbers X11-0006-SMRCD10IRMR.7403 and X11-0006-GARSW-10RR to detect cracks that could cause rudder control issues. It applies to all serial numbers of the affected aircraft models.
What Changed
This revision corrects the applicability of the initial emergency AD 2026-0125-E issued on 29 June 2026, refining which aircraft are subject to operational limitations and inspection requirements. It maintains the requirement for repetitive inspections and updates compliance timelines based on flight hours accumulated. The revised AD also clarifies that the operational limitation can be removed after the initial inspection is completed.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving uncommanded rudder deflection caused by cracks in the nose landing gear hydraulic actuator rod end. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to prevent potential loss of rudder control, which could compromise aircraft handling during landing gear retraction. Adhering to this AD helps maintain airworthiness and regulatory compliance for affected Diamond DA 42 series aircraft.
What To Do
Operators must implement an operational limitation before the next flight if the aircraft has accumulated more than 1,000 flight hours since first flight, and perform an initial inspection within specified flight cycle intervals depending on total flight hours. Repetitive inspections must continue every 4,000 flight cycles thereafter. Any discrepancies found during inspections require immediate replacement of the affected part with a serviceable one. Inspection results must be reported to Diamond Aircraft Industries within 14 days of inspection.
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