Federal Register #FAA-2026-7230

FAA Proposed Directive for Airbus Helicopters Tail Rotor Blade Inspections and Replacements

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the Department of Transportation, is proposing a new airworthiness directive affecting Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) EC135 and EC635 helicopter models. - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, Airworthiness Products Section - OEM Highlight: - Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) is the primary OEM for all affected helicopter models and tail rotor blade assemblies - Products/Services Requested: - Repetitive inspection of tail rotor blade (TRB) assemblies for cracks, specifically for part numbers L642A2002111, L642A2002112, and potentially L642A2002121 - Removal and replacement of any TRB assemblies found with cracks - Prohibition on installing affected TRB assemblies unless compliance requirements are met - Quantities and Scope: - Directive affects 359 U.S.-registered helicopters, each with up to 10 TRB assemblies - No fixed purchase quantity; replacements are on-condition based on inspection results - Notable Requirements: - Discontinuation of inspection Method A; adoption of alternative inspection methods as per EASA AD 20260032 - Compliance with both FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) directives - Estimated replacement cost is $4,900 per TRB assembly - Streamlined regulatory amendments for commercial space licensing are also proposed, but are not directly related to the helicopter directive

Description

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-04-10, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters. The proposed AD retains the actions of AD 2024-04-10 and requires repetitively inspecting a certain tail rotor blade assembly for cracks, removing any cracked assembly from service, and replacing affected parts as terminating action. It also prohibits installing affected tail rotor blade assemblies unless certain requirements are met. The AD addresses unsafe conditions caused by cracks due to intergranular corrosion that could lead to separation of the tail rotor blade assembly and reduced helicopter control.

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