FAA Orders Bolt Swaps for Airbus Helicopter Flight Control Safety
Published Date: 3/26/2026
Rule
Summary
If you fly an Airbus Helicopters Deutschland MBB-BK 117 D-3, listen up! The FAA found some bolts in the flight controls might crack because they weren’t properly checked during manufacturing. Starting April 30, 2026, those bolts must be swapped out for safer ones, and you can’t put the old bolts back in. This keeps your helicopter flying safe without breaking the bank.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory bolt replacement and ban
If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Deutschland Model MBB-BK 117 D-3, you must replace bolts (part number D671M7051211 with serial numbers listed in Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB-BK117 D-3-67A-002, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2024) and you may not install an affected bolt on any helicopter. This AD is effective April 30, 2026; the FAA estimates the replacement costs $340 in labor (4 work‑hours × $85/hour) plus $101 in parts, for a total of $441 per helicopter and $64,386 for the 146 helicopters on the U.S. registry.
No reporting requirement to manufacturer
Although the referenced EASA AD specifies submitting certain information to the manufacturer, this FAA AD does not require operators to submit that information. Operators of the MBB-BK 117 D-3 therefore are not obligated by this AD to provide the specified reports to the manufacturer.
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