FAA orders · airworthiness directive · current

2026-03-08: Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate

FAA order 2026-03-08 is an airworthiness directive in force since March 10, 2026. The FAA's subject line: Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate. It names Airbus Helicopters H160: about 18 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: H160-B
On this site: Airbus Helicopters H160 18 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since: March 10, 2026
Published: February 23, 2026 (signed February 4, 2026)
Docket: FAA-2026-0743
Replaces: 2025-07-06
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) 2025-07- 06, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. AD 2025-07-06 required measuring the axial play of the rotating scissors spherical bearings and depending on the results, accomplishing corrective action and reporting inspection results. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-07-06 a determination was made that repetitive inspections for axial play measurements on non-rotating scissors spherical bearings are necessary. This AD retains all of the actions required in AD 2025-07-06 and extends the definition of an affected part to include all serial numbered non-rotating scissors spherical bearings. This AD also prohibits installing affected rotating and non- rotating scissors spherical bearings unless 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 (5,165 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 2025-07-06, Amendment 39-23008 (90 FR 15306, April 10, 2025); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-03-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23257; Docket No. FAA-2026-0743; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01764-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 10, 2026. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2025-07-06, Amendment 39-23008 (90 FR 15306, April 10, 2025) (AD 2025-07-06). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6230, Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by report of excessive axial play of the scissors spherical bearings (rotating and non-rotating). The FAA is issuing this AD to address excessive axial play of the scissors spherical bearings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2025-0264, dated November 26, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0264). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0264 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0264 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0264 refers to its effective date, or January 21, 2025 (the effective date of EASA AD 2025-0018), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where Table 3 in appendix 1 of EASA AD 2025-0264 refers to October 24, 2024 (the effective date of EASA AD 2024-0206-E), this AD requires using January 17, 2025 (the effective date of AD 2024-26-01). (4) Where paragraph (7) of EASA AD 2025-0264 specifies to report inspection results to AH [Airbus Helicopters] within certain compliance times, for this AD, report inspection results at the applicable times specified in paragraphs (h)(4)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For an inspection done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 7 days after the inspection. (ii) For an inspection done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 7 days after the effective date of this AD. (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0264. (i) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (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: [email protected]. (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: [email protected]. (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) AD 2025-0264, dated November 26, 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: [email protected]; 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 [email protected]. Issued on February 4, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. Issued on February 4, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-03520 Filed 2-20-26; 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 November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2026-03-08.json · aircraft systems.