EASA AD 26-115 — Tail Rotor – Damper Bracket – Inspection

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive PAD No. 26-115 is a proposed directive addressing the inspection of the tail rotor damper bracket Part Number 8G6420A00831 installed on Leonardo S.p.A. AW189 helicopters. It requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks or corrosion on the affected tail rotor damper bracket to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. The directive applies to all serial numbers of the AW189 helicopter model.

What Changed

This new proposed Airworthiness Directive introduces mandatory repetitive inspections of the tail rotor damper bracket to detect cracks or corrosion. It also mandates replacement or corrective actions if defects are found and requires reporting inspection results to Leonardo S.p.A. The directive defines inspection intervals based on the age and flight hours of the affected part and allows installation only of serviceable parts.

Why It Matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals because cracks in the tail rotor damper bracket can compromise the structural integrity of the helicopter's tail rotor system, potentially leading to loss of control. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent unsafe conditions, avoid unplanned downtime, and ensure regulatory compliance. The reporting requirement supports ongoing safety investigations and future corrective actions.

What To Do

Operators of AW189 helicopters must inspect the tail rotor damper bracket within 150 flight hours or 3 months after the directive's effective date, depending on the part's age, and continue inspections at intervals not exceeding 150 flight hours or 6 months. If cracks are found, the affected part must be replaced before the next flight. Corrosion findings require contacting Leonardo S.p.A. for approved corrective actions. Inspection results with cracks must be reported to Leonardo S.p.A. within 30 days.