FAA Orders Airbus Helicopter Fin Swaps to Stop Cracks
Published Date: 8/21/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly certain Airbus Helicopters, the FAA wants you to keep checking the right side of the vertical fin for cracks like before, but now they also want you to replace the upper fin with a new, safer version. This replacement stops the need for those repeated inspections. The change helps keep helicopters safe and might cost some time and money but ends ongoing checks.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Required upper fin replacement ends inspections
The FAA proposes that those same helicopter operators must replace the upper fin assembly with a modified upper fin assembly developed by Airbus Helicopters. Replacing the upper fin would stop (terminate) the need for the repetitive inspections required by AD 2021-20-16 and is intended to address the unsafe condition.
Keep doing repetitive fin inspections
If you operate certain Airbus Helicopters (Models AS355E, AS355-F, AS355-F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, and certain AS350B3), the FAA proposes you must continue the repetitive cleaning and visual and detailed inspections of the right-hand side of the vertical fin spar and upper attachments as required by AD 2021-20-16. Those inspections must be done with corrective action if cracks are found.
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