FAA Proposes More Checks on MD Helicopter Torque Tubes
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update safety rules for certain MD Helicopters models by expanding inspections on torque tube parts to keep flights safe. If you own one of these helicopters, you’ll need to keep checking and possibly replace parts to avoid problems. Comments on this proposal are open until January 2, 2026, so there’s time to weigh in before changes kick in.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated per-helicopter compliance costs
The FAA estimates this AD would affect 353 U.S.-registered helicopters. Estimated per-helicopter costs are $85 for the visual torque-tube and roller-bearing inspection and $64 for the freedom-of-movement inspection; on-condition replacement costs include about $5,283 to replace a torque tube and about $720 to replace a roller bearing (labor and parts totals shown in the NPRM).
Applicability expanded to all listed models
The FAA proposes to remove the torque-tube part-number limit and apply the AD to all MD Helicopters, LLC Model 369, 369A, 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters regardless of torque tube part number. That means more owners/operators of these models would be required to follow the AD's inspection and replacement rules.
Mandatory repeated inspections and actions
If you operate one of the affected MD Helicopters, you must do a visual torque-tube and roller-bearing inspection within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within 12 months after the AD's effective date (whichever comes first), and then at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. You must also do a freedom-of-movement inspection before the helicopter reaches 3,000 total hours TIS or within 100 hours TIS after the AD's effective date (whichever is later), and then every 100 hours TIS; any corrosion, cracks, binding, or damaged bearings must be removed and replaced before further flight.
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