FAA Patches Typo in Chopper Bearing Safety Mandate
Published Date: 9/29/2026
Rule
Summary
If you own or operate MD Helicopters models 369, 500N, or 600N, listen up! The FAA fixed a small mistake in a safety rule about checking and possibly replacing parts in your helicopter’s torque tube and roller bearings. This correction doesn’t change the original safety checks or costs, and it kicks in on October 20, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Required torque-tube and bearing inspections
If you own or operate an MD Helicopters model 369, 369A, 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, or 600N, you must inspect the torque tube assembly and roller bearings within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within 12 months after October 20, 2026, whichever occurs first, and then at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. You must also perform a freedom-of-movement inspection before the helicopter reaches 3,000 total hours TIS or within 100 hours TIS after October 20, 2026, whichever is later, and then every 100 hours; if corrosion, cracks, binding, ratcheting, or bearing damage is found you must remove and install airworthy parts before further flight, and ensure the slotted bushing protrudes 0.010 to 0.080 inch (0.25 to 2.03 mm) when reinstalled.
Correction only fixes AD header, no new burdens
The FAA corrected a missing AD number and amendment number in the published regulatory text; this correction does not change the original safety checks or compliance requirements and has no adverse economic impact or additional burden on any person. The correction and the AD remain effective October 20, 2026.
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