Urgent Tail Rotor Checks Ordered for Airbus Helicopters
Published Date: 9/2/2025
Rule
Summary
If you fly Airbus EC 130 B4 or T2 helicopters, listen up! The FAA wants you to check a key tail rotor part to stop it from breaking and causing damage. You’ll need to inspect and maybe replace the part soon, and you can’t use some old maintenance guides anymore. This keeps your chopper safe without breaking the bank or your schedule.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Mandatory tail-rotor bar inspections
If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4 or EC 130 T2, this AD requires inspecting the tail rotor tension-torsion bar and, depending on the inspection results, replacing it with a serviceable part. The rule was prompted by a report of heavy fenestron damage after a tail rotor blade broke at the tension-torsion bar and is intended to address that unsafe condition.
Ban on certain maintenance manuals
This AD prohibits performing maintenance using certain maintenance manuals for Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4 and EC 130 T2. Operators must stop using those manuals for maintenance on these helicopters as part of the unsafe-condition corrective actions.
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