# 2026-01180: Helicopter Tail Woes: FAA Mandates Inspections for Cracked Rotors

2026-01180, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-01-22, effective 2026-02-26 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01180
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-01180
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 2681
- Published: 2026-01-22
- Effective: 2026-02-26
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Helicopter Tail Woes: FAA Mandates Inspections for Cracked Rotors

## Summary

If you own or fly Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH EC135 models, listen up! The FAA found some tail rotor parts might be cracked or bent, so they’re requiring inspections and fixes starting February 26, 2026. You can’t install certain parts unless you follow new safety steps, helping keep everyone flying safe without surprise costs if you act on time.

## Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC635T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of ruptured and deformed flexible couplings. This AD requires inspecting the axial displacement of the tail rotor drive shaft and, depending on the results, taking corrective actions including inspecting the flexible couplings. This AD also prohibits installing a tail rotor drive shaft unless certain procedures are followed. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Mandatory tail-rotor inspections for EC135s: cost, high. If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135 (listed EC135P1, P2, P2+, P3, T1, T2, T2+, T3 and variants), you must inspect the axial displacement of the tail rotor drive shaft and take corrective actions beginning February 26, 2026. The FAA estimates inspecting both flexible couplings tak…
- No installation without required procedures: cost, low. From February 26, 2026, you may not install a tail rotor drive shaft on the affected EC135 helicopters unless you follow the specific procedures referenced in the AD (instructions in the incorporated EASA service material and the AD exceptions).
- Special flight permits are prohibited: cost, medium. Starting February 26, 2026, special flight permits are prohibited for the affected EC135 helicopters under this AD, meaning operators cannot use special permits to fly helicopters that have the unsafe condition without complying first.
- No parts-return or reporting requirement: benefit, low. Although the EASA material requests submitting information and sending parts to the manufacturer, this FAA AD explicitly does NOT require reporting or returning parts, reducing paperwork and shipment obligations for U.S. operators as of February 26, 2026.

## Related documents

- [2026-15585](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-15585): Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems, 2026-07-31
- [2026-13440](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13440): Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight, 2026-07-02
- [2026-13126](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13126): Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period, 2026-06-30
- [2026-08943](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08943): Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility, 2026-05-06
- [2025-04846](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-04846): Extension of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Territory and Airspace of Libya, 2025-03-20
- [2025-03853](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-03853): Enforcement Policy Regarding “Drug and Alcohol Testing of Certificated Repair Station Employees Located Outside of the United States; Corre…, 2025-03-11

## Sources
- [2026-01180 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/22/2026-01180/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters-deutschland-gmbh-helicopters)
- [2026-01180 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-22/pdf/2026-01180.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-01172, Amendment of Class D and Class E4 Airspace Over Wilkes-Barre, PA](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01172)
- [Next: 2026-01182, Airworthiness Directives; PZL-Swidnik S.A. Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01182)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01180 (as of 2026-06-11).