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AS355 helicopter crews may need to verify tail-rotor parts
The proposed rule covers AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2 and AS355N helicopters. The FAA says a wrong label could lead to missed inspections and, in the worst case, a loss of control.
Some Airbus Helicopters operators could face a new maintenance check if a federal proposal becomes final. The Federal Aviation Administration says certain AS355 models need a review because some tail-rotor parts were mislabeled during production.
Comment deadline: August 3, 2026 Submit comments: https://www.regulations.gov Effective date: effective date of this AD
That mismatch matters because mechanics depend on the paperwork as much as the metal. If the records do not line up with the parts in service, the FAA says inspections can be missed and an undetected fatigue failure can follow.
When the log card and part disagree
The proposed airworthiness directive, or AD, would require operators to verify serial numbers and amend the log cards for the affected parts. If the paperwork and the hardware still do not match, crews would have to carry out a one-time borescope inspection, a close internal check used to confirm what is actually installed.
Depending on what that inspection finds, the parts would have to be replaced or re-identified. The FAA says the proposal follows EASA AD 2024-0127, a July 3, 2024 directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency that addressed the same unsafe condition. Comments are due Aug. 3, 2026.
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT Docket ID: FAA-2026-4657 RIN: 2120-AA64 CFR parts: 14 CFR Part 39 Comment deadline: August 3, 2026 Effective date: effective date of this AD Submit comments: https://www.regulations.gov Contact: Andrew Gronau • Aviation Safety Engineer • (847) 294-7378 • andrew.s.gronau@faa.gov • U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590