FAA Orders Checks on Airbus Helicopter Tail Rotors
Published Date: 4/10/2025
Rule
Summary
If you fly Airbus Helicopters AS332 models, listen up! The FAA wants you to check the tail rotor parts for cracks or corrosion to keep your chopper safe. Fix or replace any damaged parts ASAP, and report what you find—no shortcuts allowed, or you can’t install those parts again.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Replace or repair damaged TRH parts
If the inspection finds any score, scratch, crack, or corrosion, you must remove corrosion and replace the TRH assembly, slide of the control plate, or pitch control assembly as required. The AD mandates these corrective replacements to address the unsafe condition that led to loss of tail-rotor pitch control.
Mandatory tail-rotor inspections
If you operate or maintain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, or AS332L1, you must inspect the slide of the control plate of the tail rotor head (TRH) assembly for any score, scratch, crack, or corrosion. The inspections and required actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD that the FAA incorporated by reference.
Ban on installing affected TRH assemblies
The AD prohibits installing an affected TRH assembly unless the inspection and any required corrective actions specified in this AD have been accomplished. You cannot reinstall or fit an affected TRH assembly without meeting the AD's requirements.
Requirement to report inspection results
You must report the results of the TRH slide inspections to comply with the AD. Reporting of inspection findings is a required action under the FAA AD that incorporates the EASA AD.
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