FAA Orders Tail Rotor Checks on Airbus Choppers
Published Date: 6/29/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you own or operate certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland models, listen up! The FAA wants you to regularly check your tail rotor blades for cracks caused by corrosion and replace any damaged parts to keep flying safe. Comments on this new rule are open until August 13, 2026, so get ready to inspect and possibly spend some bucks to keep your chopper in top shape.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 7 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory Repetitive Tail-Rotor Inspections
If you own or operate the listed Airbus Helicopters Deutschland models, you must repetitively inspect certain tail rotor blade (TRB) assemblies for cracks caused by intergranular corrosion. The proposed rule applies to Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters and would require following the inspection actions specified in EASA AD 2026-0031.
Replace Cracked TRB Assemblies
If an inspection finds a crack in an affected TRB assembly, you must remove the cracked TRB assembly from service and replace it with a serviceable part as required by the AD. The AD makes replacement a required terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
Installation Prohibition for Affected TRBs
The proposed AD would prohibit installing certain TRB assemblies on any helicopter unless specified requirements are met. Replacing an affected TRB with an eligible (not-affected) TRB assembly is identified as terminating action for certain repetitive inspections.
Required Replacement Deadline: 1,432 Hours
The AD requires that an affected TRB part be replaced before it accumulates 1,432 hours time-in-service (TIS) since first installation, or within 10 hours TIS after the AD's effective date, whichever occurs later. This is a hard compliance threshold operators must meet.
Estimated Inspection and Replacement Costs
The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 359 U.S.-registered helicopters. Estimated inspection cost per TRB assembly is up to $305 (3 work-hours at $85/hr plus $50 parts), and the FAA estimates fleet inspection cost up to $109,495. On-condition replacement cost is estimated at $4,900 parts plus 3 work-hours ($255), with replacement costs per helicopter up to $51,550 (for up to 10 TRBs).
Inspection Method Restrictions and Cleaning
The AD includes exceptions that restrict use of certain inspection methods: where a type II visible dye inspection (Method A) was previously used, the AD requires Method B or eddy current instead of fluorescent penetrant; if not previously inspected by type II visible dye, operators must use eddy current or fluorescent penetrant instead of type II visible dye; and if inspection history is unknown, clean all surfaces and use eddy current or fluorescent penetrant. The AD references FAA SAIB CE-18-26R1 about risks with type II visible dye inspections and the importance of pre- and post-inspection cleaning.
No Special Flight Permits Allowed
The proposed AD states that special flight permits under 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 are not allowed for affected helicopters. Operators cannot rely on special flight permits to ferry helicopters that are out of compliance with this AD.
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Key Dates
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