Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters

Document 2026-15374 is a Proposed Rule published by the Department of Transportation in the Federal Register on July 30, 2026. The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-04-10, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters. AD 2024-04-10 requires 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 proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2024-04-10 and would require 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 proposed AD would also prohibit installing an affected TRB assembly on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/30/2026-15374/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters-deutschland-gmbh-ahd-helicopters.

No. Document 2026-15374 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.