# Federal Register #FAA-2026-11814

Proposed FAA safety directive for Airbus Helicopters main rotor servo-controls

**Buyer:** Federal Aviation Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation)
**Posted:** October 19, 2026
**Respond By:** December 04, 2026
**Identifier:** FAA-2026-11814

The Federal Aviation Administration proposes a safety directive for specified Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft models.
- **Government buyer and action**
  - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing an airworthiness directive; this is a regulatory action, not a purchase solicitation.
  - The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) directive is incorporated by reference.
- **OEM and affected models**
  - **Airbus Helicopters**: AS350B3, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2.
- **Required safety work**
  - Inspect the tightening torque of the upper ball-bearing-end nut on the forward, left, and right main rotor servo-controls, including after a servo-control is removed and installed.
  - Take corrective action as needed. Possible actions include re-inspection, inspecting and cleaning threads, replacing the ball bearing end or servo-control, or obtaining approved instructions.
  - Report all inspection results.
  - The affected servo-control and nut-retainer part numbers identified in the initial release are 360A27-2121-20 and 365A27-8193-20.
- **Safety concern**
  - A bearing end could disconnect from a servo-control, potentially causing loss of helicopter control.
- **Procurement status**
  - No products are being purchased, and no quantities, contract value, or period of performance are specified.

### Description

The FAA proposes a new airworthiness directive for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. The proposal follows a report of lost tightening torque between the upper ball bearing end and a main rotor servo-control, which could lead to disconnection and loss of helicopter control. It would require inspection of the nut tightening torque, corrective actions depending on the results, and reporting of inspection results. Comments are due by December 3, 2026.

[View original listing](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/19/2026-21387/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters)