# 2026-01182: Rusty Bolts Force Inspections on Polish-Made Army Helicopters

2026-01182, Airworthiness Directives; PZL-Swidnik S.A. Helicopters, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-01-22, effective 2026-02-06 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01182
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-01182
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; PZL-Swidnik S.A. Helicopters
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 2687
- Published: 2026-01-22
- Effective: 2026-02-06
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Rusty Bolts Force Inspections on Polish-Made Army Helicopters

## Summary

If you own or fly a PZL-Swidnik W-3A helicopter, listen up! The FAA found rust on some main rotor blade bolts and now requires regular checks, repairs, or replacements to keep things safe. These rules kick in February 6, 2026, so get ready to inspect, report, and keep your chopper flying smoothly without breaking the bank.

## Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain PZL-Swidnik S.A. (Swidnik) Model PZL W-3A helicopters. This AD was prompted by the detection of corrosion on the main rotor blade (MRB) attachment bolts. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the MRB attachment bolts and, depending on the results of the inspection, repairing or replacing any affected bolts. This AD also requires reporting the inspection results and prohibits installing any MRB attachment bolt unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Mandatory MRB Bolt Inspections and Repairs: cost, medium. If you own or operate a PZL W-3A helicopter, you must remove, clean, and inspect each main rotor blade (MRB) attachment bolt P/N 37.21.000.50.00 within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever comes first, after February 6, 2026. If defects are found you must repair bolts within repai…
- Mandatory Inspection Reporting to Manufacturer: cost, low. After each inspection you must report the inspection results to PZL-Swidnik S.A. within 30 days. The rule estimates public reporting will take about 1 hour per response (OMB Control Number 2120-0056).
- Prohibition on Installing Uninspected Bolts: cost, low. As of February 6, 2026, you may not install MRB attachment bolt P/N 37.21.000.50.00 on any helicopter unless that bolt has been inspected in accordance with this AD. This limits use of that part until it has passed the required inspection or repair process.
- No U.S. Compliance Costs Today: benefit, low. The FAA states there are no costs of compliance with this AD because there are currently no PZL W-3A helicopters on the U.S. Registry. That means no immediate compliance spending is expected from U.S. operators right now.

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## Sources
- [2026-01182 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/22/2026-01182/airworthiness-directives-pzl-swidnik-sa-helicopters)
- [2026-01182 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-22/pdf/2026-01182.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-01180, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01180)
- [Next: 2026-01183, Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01183)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01182 (as of 2026-06-11).