Opportunity
Federal Register #20260851
FAA Directive: Inspection and Replacement of Rotor Hub-Shafts on Airbus MBB-BK 117 D-3 Helicopters
Buyer
Federal Aviation Administration
Posted
April 29, 2026
Identifier
20260851
NAICS
488190
This opportunity concerns a new FAA airworthiness directive for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters: - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation - Aircraft Certification Service, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch - OEMs and Key Entities: - Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (primary OEM) - European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA; directive incorporated by reference) - Products/Services Requested: - Inspection of rotor hub-shafts for cracks - Replacement of any cracked rotor hub-shafts - Reporting after replacement - Affected rotor hub-shafts identified by part numbers D623M1501203 and D623M1501204 - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Prohibits installation of affected rotor hub-shafts unless compliance requirements are met - Addresses a critical safety issue: risk of main rotor transmission failure and loss of helicopter control - Applies to all Airbus MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters - No specific purchase quantities provided; this is a regulatory safety action, not a procurement for new parts - Places of Performance/Delivery: - FAA Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, Fort Worth, TX - FAA International Validation Branch, Westbury, NY - Docket Operations, Washington, DC
Description
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack on the rotor hub-shaft detected after increased vibration was reported by the crew. The directive requires inspecting the rotor hub-shaft for cracks, replacing any cracked parts, and reporting the replacement information. It also prohibits installing any affected rotor hub-shaft unless certain requirements are met. The AD aims to address the unsafe condition that could lead to failure of the main rotor transmission and loss of control of the helicopter.