Helicopter Hoists Face FAA Crackdown for Safety Sake
Published Date: 2/13/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to keep Airbus Helicopters Deutschland models safe by checking for cracks in the rescue hoist cable drums. If cracks are found, the cable drum must be fixed or replaced, and unsafe hoists can’t be used or installed. Helicopter owners should act quickly, as comments on this rule are due by March 30, 2026, and repairs might cost time and money but keep everyone safe.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory hoist cable drum inspections
If you own or operate one of the listed Airbus Helicopters Deutschland (AHD) or MBB-BK 117 helicopters, you must repetitively inspect the rescue hoist cable drum for cracks longer than 3 mm. The proposed rule would require repairing or replacing any affected cable drum and would prohibit operating or installing an affected rescue hoist assembly unless it meets the AD’s requirements; comments are due by March 30, 2026.
Estimated inspection and replacement costs
The FAA estimates this AD would affect 476 U.S.-registered helicopters and that a visual inspection takes 1 work-hour at $85 per helicopter (total estimated cost $40,460 for U.S. operators). The FAA estimates replacing a rescue hoist assembly would cost about $123,298 per product (parts listed at $123,000 and labor roughly $298), and the FAA cannot determine how many helicopters will need repair or replacement.
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Key Dates
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