Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23195 · Tail rotor drive shaft
Airbus Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2026-01-08. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD was prompted by a determination that the service life limit of the center shaft assembly needs to be corrected because a crack could initiate on the center shaft assembly. This AD requires replacing the center shaft assembly with a serviceable center shaft assembly (either a shaft with another part number (P/N) or the same P/N with lower hours time-in-service (TIS)). This AD also prohibits installing a center shaft assembly that is not a serviceable center shaft assembly on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
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 2025-0249-E, dated November 7, 2025 (EASA Emergency AD 2025-0249-E).
(1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2025-0249-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA Emergency AD 2025-0249-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA Emergency AD 2025-0249-E.
Although the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2025-0249-E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer and to return the parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require any of these actions.
