# 2026-16641: FAA tweaks AD for Airbus chopper drive shaft vibes.

2026-16641, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-08-14, effective 2026-09-18; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16641
- As of: 2026-08-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-16641
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 52494
- Published: 2026-08-14
- Effective: 2026-09-18
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-08-21

## In one line

FAA tweaks AD for Airbus chopper drive shaft vibes.

## Summary

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-25- 14, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2023-25-14 revised the procedures for inspecting the vibration level on the tail rotor drive shaft and, depending on these results, required replacing certain parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-25-14, the manufacturer developed a modification of the rear drive shaft, sliding flange, and equipped splined sleeve. This AD requires installing this modification and repetitively inspecting the vibration level of the tail rotor drive shaft. This AD also prohibits the installation of certain parts and prohibits the performance of a balance correction unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Mandatory installation of modified drive parts: cost, high. If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2, you must install a manufacturer modification that includes a new rear drive shaft, sliding flange, and equipped splined sleeve. The FAA estimates installing the modified parts takes 8 work‑hours (8 x $85 = $680) plus parts costing $61,716, for a t…
- Repetitive vibration inspections required: cost, low. You must repetitively inspect the tail rotor drive shaft vibration level as required by the AD (in accordance with EASA AD 2024-0144 as adopted). The FAA estimates each vibration inspection takes 1 work‑hour at $85 per inspection.
- Parts and balance-correction prohibitions: cost, medium. The AD prohibits installing certain part‑numbered tail rotor drive shafts, sliding flanges, or splined sleeves and prohibits performing a balance correction unless done concurrently with replacing specified parts or using an approved method. If a balance correction was done previously, you must obt…
- No reporting requirement retained: benefit, low. Unlike the EASA AD text, this FAA AD does not require submitting vibration measurement reports to the manufacturer. You are not required to send those reports under this FAA 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
- [2026-16641 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/14/2026-16641/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters)
- [2026-16641 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-14/pdf/2026-16641.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-16636, Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16636)
- [Next: 2026-16643, Safety Zone; Atlantic Ocean, Culebra, Puerto Rico](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16643)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16641 (as of 2026-08-21).