FAA Demands Bolt Swaps to Keep Helicopters Aloft
Published Date: 6/2/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly Airbus Helicopters AS 332L2 or EC 225LP models, listen up! The FAA wants you to swap out some bolts on the main gearbox suspension bar because the old ones might be too long or bent. You'll also need to check those bolts and tell Airbus what you find—keeping your chopper safe and sound without breaking the bank.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Required replacement of MGB suspension bolts
If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Model AS 332L2 or EC 225LP, the FAA proposes you must replace certain attachment bolts on the main gearbox (MGB) suspension bar fittings. The replacement is required because reports found overlengthened and deformed attachment bolts on the suspension bar link.
Inspection of removed attachment bolts
The proposed rule requires inspecting the removed attachment bolts from the MGB suspension bar link. Inspecting the bolts is meant to identify overlengthened or deformed bolts that could cause an unsafe condition.
Mandatory reporting of inspection results to Airbus
The FAA proposes that operators must report the results of the bolt inspections to Airbus Helicopters. Reporting the inspection results is required as part of the directive to document findings for the unsafe condition investigation and corrective actions.
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