# 2026-00137: FAA Mandates Tighter Helicopter Checks – Snore Fest

2026-00137, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-01-08, effective The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by February 23, 2026. (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00137
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00137
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 645
- Published: 2026-01-08
- Effective: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by February 23, 2026.
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FAA Mandates Tighter Helicopter Checks – Snore Fest

## Summary

The FAA wants all owners of Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, AS350B3, EC130B4, and EC130T2 to update their maintenance manuals with new safety rules. These changes make helicopter checks stricter to keep everyone safer. Comments on this proposal are open until February 23, 2026, and while it may cost some time and money, it’s all about flying safer!

## Abstract

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2, AS350B3, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual (MM) or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- 30‑Day Maintenance Manual Update: cost, low. If you own or operate an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, AS350B3, EC130B4, or EC130T2, you must revise the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of your maintenance manual and approved maintenance or inspection program within 30 days after the AD's effective date. The FAA requires this faster 30‑day…
- Mandatory Parts Replacements and Tasks: cost, medium. This AD incorporates by reference EASA AD 2025-0137 (dated June 27, 2025; corrected October 29, 2025) and requires replacing components before exceeding their life limits and doing all maintenance tasks within the thresholds and intervals specified in the ALS. Initial compliance for those tasks is…
- FAA Cost Estimate: $85 Each: cost, low. The FAA estimates the AD would affect 1,163 U.S.-registered helicopters and that the action to revise the ALS will take 1 work‑hour at $85 per helicopter. The FAA's estimated total cost to U.S. operators for that revision is $98,855.
- Safety: Prevent Critical Part Failures: benefit, high. The FAA says the new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are required to prevent failure of critical parts and primary structural components that could lead to loss of control of the helicopter. The AD's actions are intended to improve safety for operators, pilots, and passengers of the a…

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## Sources
- [2026-00137 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/08/2026-00137/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters)
- [2026-00137 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-08/pdf/2026-00137.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00131, Parcel Dimension Compliance](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00131)
- [Next: 2026-00138, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00138)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00137 (as of 2026-06-11).