2026-02-12: Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate
FAA order 2026-02-12 is an airworthiness directive in force since February 17, 2026. The FAA's subject line: Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate. It names Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-3: about 93 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 Deutschland GmbH (AHD)
- Models
- MBB-BK 117 D-3
- On this site
- Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-3 93 registered
Dates and paperwork
- In force since
- February 17, 2026
- Published
- January 30, 2026 (signed January 22, 2026)
- Docket
- FAA-2026-0731
- Status
- Current
- The FAA's document
- Read the order on the FAA's site
The FAA's summary their words, unchanged
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK117 D-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of excessive wear on the bearing bolts, installed on the swashplate, connecting the cardan ring and the control ring assembly. This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of the swashplate for vertical and radial play and, depending on the results of the inspections, corrective actions. This AD also prohibits installing any affected bolt unless the bolts are new or certain requirements are met. 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 (4,452 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-02-12 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 39-23248; Docket No. FAA-2026-0731; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01864-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 17, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK117 D-3 helicopters. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6230, Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of excessive wear on the bearing bolts, installed on the swashplate, connecting the cardan ring and the control ring assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the bearing bolts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to 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 Emergency AD 2025-0298-E, dated December 23, 2025 (EASA Emergency AD 2025-0298-E). (h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2025-0298-E (1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2025-0298-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA Emergency AD 2025-0298-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where EASA Emergency AD 2025-0298-E uses the term "new", this AD requires replacing that term with "new (zero hours time-in-service)". (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA Emergency AD 2025-0298-E. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2025-0298-E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require any of these actions. (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 and email to: AMOC@faa.gov. (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 Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; email: steven.r.warwick@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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) Emergency AD 2025-0298-E, dated December 23, 2025. (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 Parkway, 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 January 22, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-01878 Filed 1-29-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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/2026-02-12.json · aircraft systems.