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2026-12-03: Main rotor gearbox

FAA order 2026-12-03 is an airworthiness directive in force since July 14, 2026. The FAA's subject line: Main rotor gearbox. It names Aerospatiale AS-355, Airbus Helicopters AS350 AStar (Écureuil), now H125, Airbus Helicopters AS355 TwinStar, Airbus Helicopters EC 130 now H130: about 1,230 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, 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
AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, EC130T2
On this site
Aerospatiale AS-355 23 registered
Airbus Helicopters AS350 AStar (Écureuil), now H125 891 registered
Airbus Helicopters AS355 TwinStar 6 registered
Airbus Helicopters EC 130 now H130 310 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
July 14, 2026
Published
June 9, 2026 (signed June 3, 2026)
Docket
FAA-2025-5032
Replaces
2025-06-04
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) 2025-06-04 for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2025-06-04 required repetitively inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) bevel wheel and the MGB magnetic plug for particles and performing corrective actions if applicable and prohibited installing an affected MGB unless certain requirements were met. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-06-04, the FAA determined that AD 2025-06-04 contains errors in the interval compliance times. This AD continues to require the actions of AD 2025-06-04 and corrects the interval compliance times. 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 (259 characters)
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Issued on June 3, 2026. Paul R. Bernado, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-11560 Filed 6-8-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2021-08-13AIR-21-13 · ENGINE EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN SYSTEM
2019-07-15SW-17-23R2 · Fuel System
2018-03-02SW-17-23R1 · Fuel System
2017-08-24SW-17-23 · Fuel System
2015-08-13SW-15-20 · Air Conditioning System Wiring

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/2026-12-03.json · aircraft systems.