Helicopter Tail Fixes: FAA's Crash-Prevention Plumbing Update
Published Date: 12/8/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly Airbus Helicopters models AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, or SA330J, listen up! The FAA found cracks in the tail rotor parts caused by worn-out bearings and wants to shorten how long these parts can be used before swapping them out. You’ll need to replace these bearings sooner than before to keep flying safe, and you can’t put old or unchecked bearings back on. Comments on this plan are open until January 22, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Shorter life limits — replace tail rotor bearings
If you operate Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, or SA330J, the FAA proposes reduced life-limit intervals for the affected tail rotor bearing stack and would require replacing that bearing stack before it exceeds the reduced life limit. The proposed rule also prohibits installing an affected bearing stack on a helicopter unless certain requirements are met. The FAA estimates replacement would cost $1,600 per helicopter (8 work-hours at $85/hour plus $920 in parts) and estimates the rule would affect 10 U.S.-registered helicopters (total estimated cost $16,000).
Special flight permits are prohibited
Under the proposed AD, special flight permits are prohibited for the affected helicopters. That means operators cannot use special flight permits to fly aircraft that require the bearing-stack actions specified by this AD.
No parts return or reporting required
Although the related EASA AD specifies submitting certain information and returning parts to the manufacturer, the FAA's proposed AD explicitly does not require submitting that information or returning parts. Operators therefore would not be required by this FAA AD to send parts back or to submit the EASA-specified reports.
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