EASA have withdrawn its Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2026-0001-E which called for replacement of main rotor pitch rod end bearings every 165 hours. The AD was issued after Airbus issued its own emergency Service Bulletin following a precautionary ditching of an Omni operated H160 on January 2nd. Giving it’s reasons for the AD withdrawal EASA said that although the investigation into the ditching is ongoing the data revealed by the CENIPA investigation has led it away from a component design as a factor in its failure.
Furthermore, said EASA Airbus has provided data from additional tests which shows that the fatigue strength of the pitch rod conform to the certification design assumptions. Consequently, “the specific unsafe condition addressed by this AD is no longer supported by the current evidence”
Image: Omni Helicopters
