# 2026-03520: Airbus Helicopters Face New Bearing Inspection Rules 2026-03520, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-02-23, effective 2026-03-10 (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03520 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-03520 - Title: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters - Type: Rule - Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration - Citation: 91 FR 8371 - Published: 2026-02-23 - Effective: 2026-03-10 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line Airbus Helicopters Face New Bearing Inspection Rules ## Summary If you fly or fix Airbus H160-B helicopters, listen up! The FAA is updating safety rules to add new checks on certain helicopter parts called scissors spherical bearings to keep flights safe. Starting March 10, 2026, owners must inspect more parts regularly and follow new rules before installing these bearings, helping avoid costly problems down the line. ## Abstract The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-07- 06, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. AD 2025-07-06 required measuring the axial play of the rotating scissors spherical bearings and depending on the results, accomplishing corrective action and reporting inspection results. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-07-06 a determination was made that repetitive inspections for axial play measurements on non-rotating scissors spherical bearings are necessary. This AD retains all of the actions required in AD 2025-07-06 and extends the definition of an affected part to include all serial numbered non-rotating scissors spherical bearings. This AD also prohibits installing affected rotating and non- rotating scissors spherical bearings unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. ## Effects PRIA read - Mandatory inspections for scissors bearings: cost, medium. If you own, operate, or maintain Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters, you must measure the axial play of both rotating and non-rotating scissors spherical bearings and do any follow-up inspections or replacements required by European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2025-0264. The AD is effe… - Ban on installing affected bearings: cost, medium. Beginning March 10, 2026, you may not install affected rotating or non-rotating scissors spherical bearings on Model H160-B helicopters unless the installation meets the requirements specified in EASA AD 2025-0264 (incorporated by reference in this AD). - 7‑day inspection reporting requirement: cost, low. You must report inspection results to Airbus Helicopters: for inspections done on or after March 10, 2026, submit the report within 7 days after the inspection; for inspections done before March 10, 2026, submit the report within 7 days after March 10, 2026. The Paperwork Reduction Act burden is es… - FAA cost estimates for compliance and replacements: cost, medium. The FAA estimates this AD affects nine U.S.-registered H160-B helicopters. Estimated routine costs: measurement of axial play = 3 work-hours × $85/hour = $255 per helicopter; reporting = 1 work-hour × $85/hour = $85 per helicopter. On-condition replacement cost (if required) is estimated at $1,470… - Special flight permits prohibited: cost, low. Special flight permits (ferry or other special flights) are prohibited for affected H160-B helicopters under this AD effective March 10, 2026, meaning you cannot obtain a special flight permit to operate the helicopter while out of compliance with the AD. ## 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 - [2026-03520 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/23/2026-03520/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters) - [2026-03520 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-23/pdf/2026-03520.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-03518, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03518) - [Next: 2026-03577, Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder; Correction](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03577) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03520 (as of 2026-06-11).