EASA AD BR-2026-01-02 — Horizontal Stabilizers Elevator and Wing Aileron Control Systems - Inspections
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive BR-2026-01-02 is a Brazilian Airworthiness Directive issued by ANAC that applies to all Embraer S.A. airplanes model EMB-545 and EMB-550. It mandates inspections and replacements related to the horizontal stabilizers elevator and wing aileron control systems to address unexpected wear in hinge bearing assemblies. The directive aims to ensure continued airworthiness and flight safety of these aircraft.
What Changed
This new directive introduces mandatory functional checks of the left-hand and right-hand horizontal stabilizer elevator and wing aileron control system backlash, along with scheduled replacement of the associated bearings. It establishes specific compliance intervals based on flight hours since new and requires adherence to Embraer Service Bulletin Nº 550-57-0007, revision 02 or later approved revisions. The directive also clarifies that these inspections and replacements are additional to existing maintenance requirements.
Why It Matters
The directive addresses excessive backlash in control system bearings that can cause Limit Cycle Oscillation, leading to unacceptable vibration and reduced airplane controllability. For operators and maintenance organizations, compliance is critical to prevent structural and system damage and to maintain safe flight operations. It also affects maintenance planning by introducing additional inspection and replacement intervals that must be tracked carefully.
What To Do
Operators must perform functional checks of the horizontal stabilizer elevator and wing aileron control system backlash before accumulating 6,000 flight hours if the aircraft has less than 5,500 flight hours at the directive's effective date. Bearings must be replaced within specified intervals according to the aircraft's flight hours, with repeat inspections and replacements at defined intervals thereafter. Compliance must be recorded in maintenance logs, and alternative methods of compliance require ANAC approval.