FAA Adds More Helicopters to the Cargo-Hook Repair List
Published Date: 11/3/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update safety rules for MD Helicopters with cargo hooks, adding more helicopter models to the list. They’re asking owners to replace or fix certain clutch parts and update maintenance manuals to keep flying safe. Comments are open until December 18, 2026, so owners should act soon to avoid costly fixes later.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Mandatory clutch removals and reidentification
If your helicopter has overrunning clutch assembly P/N 369A5350-BSC, 369A5350-601, or 369A5350-603 installed, you must within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) or at the next annual inspection (whichever occurs first after the AD's effective date) remove any overrunning clutch subassembly that is not P/N 369A5350-41 or 369A5350-51, install P/N 369A5350-41 or 369A5350-51 if removed, and reidentify the overrunning clutch assembly to P/N 369A5350-605.
Adds Model 500N to AD applicability
If you operate an MD Helicopters Model 500N with a cargo hook, this proposed AD now explicitly applies to your helicopter. The AD applies to all MD Helicopters models listed (including 500N) that are equipped with a cargo hook.
Required maintenance manual and program changes
For all helicopters except Models 369 and 369A, you must revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the approved maintenance/inspection program within 30 days after the AD's effective date by incorporating the specified inspection tasks and intervals. For Models 369 and 369A, you must revise the ALS and approved program within 30 days using a method approved by the Manager, West Certification Branch, FAA. The AD specifies finite life and intervals: sprag assembly finite life 1,800 hours TIS; clutch inner and outer races inspected every 300 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first.
FAA estimated compliance costs and scope
The FAA estimates this AD would affect 568 U.S.-registered helicopters. The FAA estimates revising the ALS will cost 1 work-hour at $85 per helicopter (total $48,280 for 568 helicopters). For replacing and reidentifying an overrunning clutch subassembly (up to 40 helicopters), the FAA estimates 3 work-hours (3 x $85 = $255) plus parts costing up to $34,409, for an estimated cost per product of up to $34,664 and a total up to $1,386,560.
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Key Dates
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