Helicopter Doors Pop Open in Flight: FAA Orders Urgent Repairs
Published Date: 6/2/2025
Rule
Summary
If you fly certain Airbus Helicopters, listen up! The FAA wants you to fix some upper rail rollers on sliding doors because one door flew open mid-flight—yikes! You’ll need to make changes, add warning labels, and stop using the old parts ASAP to keep everyone safe and sound.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Required modification of rail rollers
If you operate Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, or AS355NP, you must modify certain upper rail rollers on sliding doors. The FAA adopted this rule after a sliding door locked open and detached in flight to address that unsafe condition.
Prohibition on using affected parts
The rule prohibits installing affected upper rail rollers or any sliding door that contains an affected upper rail roller on the listed Airbus Helicopter models. Operators and maintenance providers must not put those parts back into service.
Mandatory sliding-door warning labels
If you operate the listed Airbus Helicopter models, you must install a label on each sliding door. The label requirement is part of the FAA directive to reduce the risk of a door being locked open and detaching during flight.
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