EASA AD US-2026-11-05
Rotorcraft Flight Control - Auxiliary Servo Assembly - Inspections
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2026-11-05 is a final rule addressing various helicopters including Sikorsky S-61 models and others. It mandates inspections and maintenance actions related to the auxiliary servo assembly and yaw pedal damper housing to prevent loss of tail rotor authority. This directive targets specific helicopter models such as Carson S-61L, Croman SH-3H, Glacier CH-3E, Reynolds USAF CH-3 variants, Sikorsky S-61 series, and Siller CH-3E and SH-3A helicopters.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive visual inspections and fluorescent penetrant inspections of the auxiliary servo assembly and yaw pedal damper housing. It requires recording the remaining life of affected parts, revising rotorcraft flight manuals with new procedures, and updating maintenance manuals to include new service life limits. The AD also mandates corrective actions if fatigue fractures or non-conforming parts are found.
Why It Matters
This AD is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety risk involving loss of tail rotor authority due to fatigue fractures in key flight control components. Operators and maintenance teams must comply to prevent potential loss of helicopter control, which could lead to accidents. The directive ensures continued airworthiness and operational safety by enforcing inspections and life limits on vulnerable parts.
What To Do
Affected operators must perform daily pre-flight inspections of the auxiliary servo assembly and yaw pedal damper housing, conduct fluorescent penetrant inspections as specified, and take corrective actions if defects are detected. They must also update flight manuals and maintenance programs to reflect new procedures and service life limits. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory by July 9, 2026.
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