Equipment / Furnishings – Mechanical Dropping Control – Inspection
- Published
- Effective
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected helicopters must perform a visual inspection and free play check of the dropping control system within 30 days or before 50 sling cycles after 7 August 2026, whichever occurs first. Repetitive free play checks must be conducted before missions involving cargo swing use. Any discrepancies found require immediate corrective action before further flight.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2026-0146 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3, AS 355 N, AS 355 NP, and EC 130 B4 models. The directive addresses inspection requirements for the mechanical dropping control system, specifically the dropping control part number 704A41811037, to prevent unintended load release during cargo operations.
What changed
This new directive introduces mandatory inspections of the dropping control system on affected helicopters, including a one-time visual inspection and repetitive checks for free play of the manual release lever. It also specifies corrective actions if discrepancies are found and allows installation of serviceable affected parts under certain conditions.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving unintended release of loads from cargo hooks, which could cause injury on the ground. Operators and maintenance teams must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and safe operation of the affected helicopters, avoiding potential accidents and regulatory penalties.
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- EASA AD 2023-0214R1Fuselage – Tail Rotor Drive Shaft / Rear Transmission Bearing Support – Inspections / ModificationSep 16, 2026
- EASA AD 2024-0144R1Tail Rotor Drive – Shaft-Line – Check / Measurement / ModificationSep 16, 2026
- EASA AD 2026-0052R1
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