Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23170 · Fuselage miscellaneous structure
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of broken main gearbox (MGB) right hand (RH) center and rear rail support assemblies. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the MGB RH and left hand (LH) center rail support for cracks and, depending on the results of these inspections, accomplishing corrective actions. This AD prohibits the installation of certain part-numbered MGB support assemblies unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
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 (EASA) AD 2025-0165, dated July 29, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0165).
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0165 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0165 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0165 specifies “Flight Hours” in the column heading of Table 1, this AD requires replacing that text with “Hours time-in-service as of the effective date of this AD”.
(4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0165 specifies “if necessary, clean the square housing bearing”, this AD requires replacing that text with “clean the square housing bearing”.
(5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0165 specifies to install a “new” part, this AD requires replacing that text with “new (never installed)” part.
(6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0165 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(7) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2025-0165.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
