Federal Register #2026-10-16

FAA Mandates Airworthiness Limitation Updates for Airbus AS355 Series Helicopters

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the Department of Transportation, has issued a new Airworthiness Directive (AD 2026-1016) for all Airbus Helicopters AS355 series models. - Government Buyer: - Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch - OEM Highlight: - Airbus Helicopters is the sole OEM affected by this directive - Requirements: - All operators of Airbus AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters must revise the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of their maintenance manuals and approved maintenance or inspection programs - Incorporate new or more restrictive life limits and maintenance tasks as specified by EASA AD 2024-0134 - Action is intended to prevent failure of critical parts and loss of helicopter control - Products/Services: - No physical products or part numbers are being procured; the requirement is for a documentation and program update - Estimated 34 helicopters affected, with a compliance cost of $85 per helicopter for labor - Notable Details: - This is a regulatory compliance action, not a procurement of goods or services - Compliance is mandatory to maintain airworthiness certification for the affected helicopter models

Description

The FAA is issuing a final rule superseding AD 2022-19-13 for Airbus Helicopters models AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP. This directive requires revising the airworthiness limitations section of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the approved maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The purpose is to prevent failure of critical parts and primary structural components that could result in loss of control of the helicopter. The AD is effective July 21, 2026.

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