# 2026-22776: Cracked Tail Rotor Blades Prompt Another FAA Inspection Directive 2026-22776, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-11-09, effective 2026-12-14; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22776 - As of: 2026-11-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-22776 - Title: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters - Type: Rule - Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration - Citation: 91 FR 70771 - Published: 2026-11-09 - Effective: 2026-12-14 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64 - Last updated: 2026-11-11 ## In one line Cracked Tail Rotor Blades Prompt Another FAA Inspection Directive ## Summary If you fly Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH EC135 or EC635 models, listen up! The FAA is updating safety rules to keep your tail rotor blades crack-free by stopping one old inspection method and adding new limits. Starting December 14, 2026, you’ll need to inspect, fix, or replace parts to keep flying safe—no shortcuts allowed, and it might cost some time and money but keeps everyone safer in the sky. ## Abstract The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-04-10 which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters. AD 2024-04-10 required repetitively inspecting certain part-numbered tail rotor (T/R) blades for a crack and, depending on the results, removing any cracked T/R blade from service. AD 2024-04-10 also prohibits installing certain T/R blades on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met. Since AD 2024-04-10 was issued, it was determined that inspection Method A should be discontinued and that additional limitations shall be provided. This AD retains the actions of AD 2024-04-10 and requires repetitively inspecting a certain tail rotor blade (TRB) assembly for cracks and, depending on the results, removing any cracked TRB assembly from service and replacing an affected part as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD also prohibits installing an affected TRB assembly on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. ## Effects PRIA read - Mandatory repetitive tail-rotor inspections: cost, high. If you operate an AHD Model EC135 or EC635T2+ helicopter, you must perform repetitive inspections of certain tail rotor blade (TRB) assemblies for cracks per EASA AD 2026-0032 as adopted by this AD, starting with this AD effective December 14, 2026. The FAA estimates this AD affects 359 U.S.-regist… - Replacement allowed as terminating action — parts cost noted: cost, high. If an inspection finds a crack, you must remove the cracked TRB assembly and replace it; replacing an affected TRB assembly is a terminating action for repetitive inspections. The AD lists an on-condition parts cost of $4,900 per TRB assembly and an example maximum on-condition cost of up to $51,55… - Prohibition on installing certain TRB assemblies: cost, medium. The AD prohibits installing an affected TRB assembly on any helicopter unless certain requirements in EASA AD 2026-0032 (as modified by this AD) are met. The rule explicitly retains the installation prohibition language from the prior ADs and the incorporated EASA AD. - Inspection method change — Method A discontinued: cost, medium. The AD discontinues use of the previously approved Type II visible dye inspection Method A (dye-penetrant with increased temperature) and requires alternative inspection methods: e.g., eddy current or fluorescent penetrant in specified scenarios, with specific rules for parts previously inspected b… - No special flight permits allowed: cost, medium. The AD explicitly states that special flight permits under 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 are not allowed for affected helicopters. That means you cannot fly an affected helicopter under a special flight permit for maintenance or other purposes while non-compliant with this AD. ## Related documents - [2026-15585](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-15585): Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems, 2026-07-31 - [2026-13440](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13440): Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight, 2026-07-02 - [2026-13126](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13126): Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period, 2026-06-30 - [2026-08943](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08943): Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility, 2026-05-06 - [2025-04846](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-04846): Extension of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Territory and Airspace of Libya, 2025-03-20 - [2025-03853](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-03853): Enforcement Policy Regarding “Drug and Alcohol Testing of Certificated Repair Station Employees Located Outside of the United States; Corre…, 2025-03-11 ## Sources - [2026-22776 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/09/2026-22776/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters-deutschland-gmbh-ahd-helicopters) - [2026-22776 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-09/pdf/2026-22776.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-22774, Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22774) - [Next: 2026-22780, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22780) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22776 (as of 2026-11-11).