Proposed rule · 2025-11697

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-26-07, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. AD 2021-26-07 requires performing repetitive inspections of the tail rotor (TR) hub body and, depending on the inspection results, replacing certain parts, and accomplishing further inspections. AD 2021-26-07 also requires for certain helicopters removing from service any bolt, washer, and nut installed on the TR hub body at certain life limits and replacing them with airworthy parts and accomplishing further inspections. Additionally, AD 2021-26-07 prohibits the installation of a certain part-numbered TR hub body unless certain requirements are met. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-26- 07, it was determined that modifying the link of the TR hub body and splined flange by adding red paint marks is necessary to enable the detection of any loss of tightening torque. This proposed AD would require the same repetitive inspections and corrective actions as AD 2021-26-07 and would require modification of the link of the TR hub body, which would be a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The proposed AD would also require repetitive inspections of the red paint line added during the modification of the link of the TR hub body for alignment. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.