Heli Oil Lights May Fail: Update Manuals, Pilots!
Published Date: 9/28/2026
Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating safety rules for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland models because the warning light for low oil in the main gearbox might not work. Pilots must update their flight manuals with new emergency and normal procedures by October 13, 2026. This change helps keep flights safer without big costs, but the FAA welcomes comments until November 12, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory flight-manual update for EC135 series
If you operate an AHD EC135-series helicopter listed in this rule, you must update the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) to add the updated emergency, malfunction, and normal procedures and insert the specified warning language. This AD is effective October 13, 2026, and the RFM procedures must be incorporated within 14 days or 50 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs first, after that effective date.
Pilots may revise manuals and must record compliance
The owner/operator who holds at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing RFM to comply with this AD (instead of requiring a mechanic) and must enter the compliance action into the helicopter maintenance records under 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The AD incorporates EASA AD 2026-0080 by reference and requires following the actions specified there as applicable.
Estimated compliance cost and fleet size
The FAA estimates this AD affects 106 U.S.-registered helicopters and estimates the cost to revise the RFM is 1 work-hour at $85 per helicopter, for a per-helicopter cost of $85 and a U.S. fleet cost of $9,010.
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