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2025-05-12: Main Rotor Head

FAA order 2025-05-12 is an airworthiness directive in force since May 8, 2025. The FAA's subject line: Main Rotor Head. It names Airbus Helicopters EC120: about 71 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: rotorcraft systems.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
Airbus Helicopters
Models
EC120B
On this site
Airbus Helicopters EC120 71 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
May 8, 2025
Published
April 3, 2025 (signed March 27, 2025)
Docket
FAA-2024-2542
Replaces
2008-10-01, 2010-05-51
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-10-01 and AD 2010-05-51, which applied to certain Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC120B helicopters. AD 2008-10-01 required replacing certain part-numbered and serial-numbered spherical thrust bearings. AD 2010-05-51 required repetitively inspecting the main rotor (M/R) head rotor hub (rotor hub) and, depending on the results, taking corrective action. Since the FAA issued those ADs, the manufacturer revised the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) to incorporate various airworthiness limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals that were previously contained in service bulletins, as well as incorporate a new task. This AD requires revising the ALS of the existing maintenance manual (MM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICAs) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (5,865 characters)
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive AD 2008-10-01, Amendment 39-15507 (73 FR 24856, May 6, 2008), and AD 2010-05-51, Amendment 39-16265 (75 FR 22510, April 29, 2010); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-05-12 Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate previously held by Eurocopter France): Amendment 39-22984; Docket No. FAA-2024-2542; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00611-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 8, 2025. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2008-10-01, Amendment 39-15507 (73 FR 24856, May 6, 2008), and AD 2010-05-51, Amendment 39-16265 (75 FR 22510, April 29, 2010). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters (type certificate previously held by Eurocopter France) Model EC120B helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor Head. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of certain parts, which if not addressed, could result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2023-0083, dated April 19, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0083). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0083 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0083 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) This AD does not adopt paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0083. (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0083 specifies "Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved AMP," this AD requires replacing that text with "Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the airworthiness limitations section of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable." (4) Regarding "the ALS" as defined in EASA AD 2023-0083; where the material referenced in "the ALS" in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0083 specifies contacting Airbus [Helicopters] if there is a crack in the (main rotor head rotor) hub body, this AD does not require contacting Airbus Helicopters. (5) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0083 is on or before the applicable "limitations" and "associated thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0083 or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (6) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0083. (i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals After the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2023-0083. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (k) of this AD or email to: AMOC@faa.gov. If mailing information, also submit information by email. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang, Aviation Safety Engineer, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3758; email: hye.yoon.jang@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0083, dated April 19, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on March 27, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-05708 Filed 4-2-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2021-06-10AIR-21-09 · LANDING GEAR SYSTEM, Landing gear skid tube
2015-08-13SW-15-20 · Air Conditioning System Wiring
2012-02-03SW-12-17 · Autopilot System
2004-07-14SW-04-71 ·
2003-12-24SW-04-38 ·

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 7, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2025-05-12.json · aircraft systems.