Choppers Flying with Bootleg Blades? FAA Says Swap 'Em!
Published Date: 9/28/2026
Rule
Summary
If you fly or fix Airbus EC 130 T2 helicopters, listen up! The FAA found some main rotor blades that aren’t officially approved and can’t be properly maintained. Starting November 2, 2026, you’ll need to swap out these blades for approved ones to keep flying safely—no shortcuts allowed!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Must Replace and Ban Unapproved Main Rotor Blades
If you operate an Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 T2 delivered before September 23, 2024, you must replace main rotor blades (MRB) that are not certified and you may not install those affected MRBs. The AD takes effect November 2, 2026 and requires compliance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2025-0062 for replacing the affected MRBs with serviceable MRBs P/N 355A11003004 and prohibits installing the affected MRBs P/N 355A11003002.
Per-Helicopter Replacement Cost Estimates
The FAA estimates parts cost $106,496 and 1 labor hour at $85 per MRB, yielding an estimated cost of $106,581 per MRB. Because helicopters may need up to three MRBs replaced, the FAA estimates per-helicopter costs of $106,581 (minimum, one MRB) to $319,743 (maximum, three MRBs). The FAA estimates this AD affects 139 U.S.-registered EC 130 T2 helicopters, with total U.S. operator cost estimated between $14,814,759 and $44,444,277.
Potentially Large Share of Revenue for Small Operators
The FAA estimated impacts on example small entities showing compliance costs can be a large share of annual revenue: e.g., an operator with $250,000 annual revenue faces $106,581 (42.63% of revenue) to $319,743 (127.90%); a scenic operator with $19,750,000 revenue faces $1,385,553 (7.02%) to $4,156,659 (21.05%); a pilot training business with $1,550,000 revenue faces $106,581 (6.88%) to $319,743 (20.63%).
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