# 2026-00818: Helicopter Pilots: Check Shafts Instead of Swapping Every Time

2026-00818, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-01-16, effective 2026-02-02 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00818
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00818
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 2072
- Published: 2026-01-16
- Effective: 2026-02-02
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Helicopter Pilots: Check Shafts Instead of Swapping Every Time

## Summary

If you fly Airbus EC130B4 or EC130T2 helicopters, listen up! The FAA updated the rules: instead of always swapping out the center shaft, you can now inspect it regularly for cracks and only replace it if needed. This new rule starts February 2, 2026, and helps keep flights safe without breaking the bank.

## Abstract

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-23- 52, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2025-23-52, required replacing the center shaft assembly with a serviceable center shaft assembly (either a shaft with another part number (P/N) or the same P/N with lower hours time-in- service (TIS)) and prohibited installing a center shaft assembly that is not a serviceable center shaft assembly on any helicopter. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-23-52, it was determined that for certain center shaft assemblies a repetitive inspection is adequate instead of replacement. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the center shaft assembly for cracks and replacing the center shaft assembly if it fails the inspection or exceeds a certain TIS. This AD also prohibits installing a center shaft assembly that is not a serviceable center shaft assembly on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Inspections Instead of Blanket Replacement: benefit, high. If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 or EC130T2, beginning February 2, 2026 you must repetitively inspect the center shaft assembly for cracks and replace it if it fails the inspection or exceeds a certain hours time-in-service (TIS). For certain center shaft assemblies, the FAA deter…
- Explicit Compliance Cost Estimates: cost, high. The FAA estimates this AD affects 304 U.S.-registered helicopters. The AD lists estimated compliance costs: an inspection costs $170 per helicopter (2 work-hours at $85/hour, $0 parts) and replacing the center shaft assembly costs $27,910 per helicopter (12 work-hours at $85/hour = $1,020 plus $26,…
- Special Flight Permits Prohibited: cost, medium. The AD explicitly prohibits special flight permits for affected helicopters. This prohibition is effective with the AD on February 2, 2026 and means operators cannot obtain special flight permits to fly those helicopters under the conditions the AD addresses.
- Ban on Installing Non-Serviceable Shafts: cost, medium. The AD prohibits installing a center shaft assembly that is not a serviceable center shaft assembly on any EC130B4 or EC130T2 helicopter. The prohibition is carried forward from the prior AD and remains effective as of February 2, 2026.

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## Sources
- [2026-00818 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/16/2026-00818/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters)
- [2026-00818 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-16/pdf/2026-00818.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00815, Eliminating Redundant Regulatory Part Related to Public Information and Disclos…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00815)
- [Next: 2026-00830, Improving Continuity for Religious Organizations and Their Employees](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00830)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00818 (as of 2026-06-11).