FAA Mandates Helicopter Gearbox Inspections for Safer Flights
Published Date: 5/15/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to make sure certain Airbus Helicopters have their engine parts installed correctly to keep flying safe. If you own or operate models like AS350 or EC130, you’ll need to check the main gearbox engine coupling soon and fix any problems found. Comments on this plan are open until June 29, 2026, and while inspections might cost some time and money, they’re key to avoiding bigger issues.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Mandatory MGB Engine Coupling Inspection
If you own or operate Airbus Helicopters Model AS350 (B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D) manufactured before May 15, 2023, or EC130B4/EC130T2 manufactured before February 13, 2023, you must inspect the main gearbox (MGB) engine coupling for a possibly inverted engine flange and do required corrective actions. The FAA proposes to require following European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2023-0127 (dated June 27, 2023), which specifies a one-time inspection and, depending on results, installing a correctly assembled engine flange or a new engine flange.
Estimated Inspection and Repair Costs
The FAA estimates the inspection takes 1 work-hour at $85, affecting 4,102 U.S.-registered helicopters for an estimated total cost to U.S. operators of $348,670. If corrective action is needed, installing an engine flange is estimated at 2 work-hours ($170) plus parts costing up to $1,935, for a potential repair cost per helicopter up to $2,105.
FAA Removes Reporting Requirement
EASA AD 2023-0127 asks operators to submit inspection results to the manufacturer, but this FAA proposed AD explicitly does not require submitting those inspection results. You still must perform the inspection and any corrective actions, but you are not required by this FAA AD to send the results to the manufacturer.
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