FAA Mandates Extra Checks on Helicopter Rotors
Published Date: 11/20/2025
Rule
Summary
If you fly an Airbus EC225LP helicopter, listen up! The FAA is updating safety rules to keep your main rotor gearboxes in top shape by adding more parts to watch, requiring regular checks and replacements, and tightening who can do the work. These changes kick in December 26, 2025, so owners should prepare for some extra maintenance that helps keep flights safe without breaking the bank.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 1 mixed.
Mandatory 1,000‑hour replacement rule
If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP with the affected parts, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after December 26, 2025 you must determine the total hours TIS of the right‑hand (RH) free wheel shaft. If it has 1,000 or more hours TIS you must replace the main rotor gearbox (MGB) or the RH free wheel shaft before further flight, and you must repeat replacement before any RH free wheel shaft accumulates 1,000 total hours TIS thereafter.
Optional terminating MGB replacement
For EC225LP helicopters with the parts in paragraph (c)(1), you may choose an optional terminating action: install an MGB P/N 332A32-5001-XX, 332A32-5002-XX, or 332A32-5003-XX with a main module (12-roller) and without MOD 07-53016 installed to terminate the AD's repetitive requirements.
Expanded parts applicability added
This AD expands applicability to add MGB part number 332A32-5004-XX with main module P/N 332A32-5400-00. The expanded applicability means helicopters with those MGBs are now subject to the AD's inspection, replacement, placard, and RFM requirements effective December 26, 2025.
Immediate placard and RFM revision
Within 10 hours TIS after December 26, 2025, you must install one or two self-adhesive placards on the instrument panel and revise the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) by inserting specified text or this AD. The owner/operator with at least a private pilot certificate may make the RFM revision. The FAA estimates installing placards and revising the RFM takes 0.5 work-hour at $85/hour, an estimated $43 per helicopter.
Parts installation limitation rule
As of December 26, 2025, you may not install specified MGB part numbers (including P/Ns 332A32-5001-XX through 332A32-5004-XX with certain modules) on any helicopter unless you have first done the placard and RFM actions required by the AD.
Credit for prior compliant work
If you already performed the AD actions before December 26, 2025 in accordance with Airbus Helicopters Emergency ASB EC225-04A016 Revision 1, 2, or 3 (dates June 28, 2019; July 23, 2019; August 5, 2019), you get credit for the AD's required actions.
Who may perform required replacements changed
The AD changes the requirement for who can replace certain parts: the AD requires the actions be accomplished by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3 rather than by a specifically named Airbus Helicopter Specialist.
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