FAA Orders More Checks on Wobbly Helicopter Torque Tubes
Published Date: 9/15/2026
Rule
Summary
If you own certain MD Helicopters models, listen up! The FAA is updating safety rules to include more helicopters with possible torque tube and roller bearing issues. Starting October 20, 2026, you'll need to keep inspecting these parts regularly to keep flying safe—some repairs might cost time and money but are worth it to avoid bigger problems.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory 100‑hour inspections and fixes
If you operate one of the affected MD Helicopters, you must inspect the torque tube and roller bearings within 100 hours time‑in‑service (TIS) or within 12 months after October 20, 2026, whichever comes first, and then at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. You must also perform a freedom‑of‑movement inspection before 3,000 total hours TIS or within 100 hours TIS after October 20, 2026, and then every 100 hours; any corrosion, cracks, binding, ratcheting, or bearing damage must be fixed by replacing the part before further flight.
FAA cost estimates per helicopter
The FAA estimates an inspection cost of $149 per inspection cycle, with an average of 7 inspection cycles per year (about $1,043 per year as a low‑case). Operators could incur up to three on‑condition costs of $6,024, and if an operator incurred all inspection and on‑condition costs the FAA estimates $7,067 per helicopter annually. The AD affects 680 U.S.-registry helicopters.
Applicability expanded to all MD models
The AD now applies to all MD Helicopters, LLC Model 369, 369A, 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters regardless of torque tube part number. The Costs of Compliance was changed in this final rule from 353 helicopters to 680 U.S.-registry helicopters.
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