# 2026-17583: FAA Orders Helicopter Hoist Swaps to Avoid Rescue Fails

2026-17583, Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopters, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-08-28, effective 2026-10-02; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-04).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17583
- As of: 2026-09-04
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-17583
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopters
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 55439
- Published: 2026-08-28
- Effective: 2026-10-02
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-09-04

## In one line

FAA Orders Helicopter Hoist Swaps to Avoid Rescue Fails

## Summary

If you fly certain Airbus or Leonardo helicopters, listen up! The FAA found some rescue hoist parts that might not work right, so they’re making owners swap out those parts for safe ones by October 2, 2026. This keeps everyone safer and stops risky gear from being installed again—expect some costs and a tight deadline to get it done.

## Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B, EC225LP, AS 365 N3, and AS332L2 helicopters; all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters; all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters; and all Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139, AW109SP, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports that certain rescue hoist assemblies may have been equipped with a non-conformant overload clutch assembly. This AD requires replacing each affected rescue hoist assembly with a serviceable rescue hoist assembly. This AD also prohibits installing an affected rescue hoist assembly unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Replace Affected Rescue Hoists Now: cost, high. If you operate any of the listed helicopter models, you must replace each affected rescue hoist assembly with a serviceable rescue hoist assembly in accordance with EASA AD 2025-0051R1. The FAA estimates this AD affects 858 U.S. helicopters and the cost to replace a rescue hoist is $46,913 per heli…
- Installation of Affected Hoists Prohibited: cost, medium. You are prohibited from installing an affected rescue hoist assembly on these helicopters unless the conditions and requirements specified in EASA AD 2025-0051R1 (as adopted by this AD) are met. The AD explicitly includes a prohibition on installation of affected rescue hoist assemblies unless cert…
- No Reporting or Return Requirement: benefit, low. Although the referenced EASA material asks for submitting information and returning parts, this FAA AD does not require reporting or returning parts. The AD explicitly states in paragraph (i) that it does not require those actions.
- Special Flight Permits Allowed to Repair Site: benefit, low. You may be issued a special flight permit under 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to fly the helicopter to a location where the AD requirements can be accomplished, provided the rescue hoist is not used during that flight. The AD allows special flight permits for this limited purpose.

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- [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
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- [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
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## Sources
- [2026-17583 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/28/2026-17583/airworthiness-directives-various-helicopters)
- [2026-17583 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-28/pdf/2026-17583.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-17582, Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17582)
- [Next: 2026-17584, Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17584)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17583 (as of 2026-09-04).