Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23249 · Main rotor system
Airbus Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2026-01-51 R1. Comply with the one in force.
This emergency AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This emergency AD was prompted by a report of the main rotor pitch rod rupturing during flight. This AD requires replacing the upper and lower pitch rod end bearings on the pitch rods of the main rotor with new pitch rod end bearings and reporting information after accomplishment of the replacement. This emergency AD also prohibits installing any affected main rotor lower and upper pitch rod end bearings on any helicopter, unless it is a serviceable part. The FAA is issuing this emergency AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Comply with this emergency AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency Emergency AD 2026-0001-E, dated January 8, 2026; corrected January 9, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E).
(1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the date of receipt of this emergency AD.
(2) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this emergency AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E specifies “check”, this emergency AD requires replacing that text with “inspect”.
(4) This emergency AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
