AD Proposed for AStar Cargo Hooks - National Agricultural Aviation Association

The FAA has proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS-350 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of non-conformity of a certain cargo hook. This proposed AD would require inspecting the gap between the filler and the side plates of the affected cargo hook and, depending on the results, replacing the cargo hook. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an affected cargo hook on any helicopter. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued EASA AD 2025-0036 on February 12, 2025, which specifies procedures for inspecting certain cargo hooks to measure the gap between the filler and the front and rear side plate assemblies and, depending on the results, replacing the cargo hook with a cargo hook that is not affected.

FAA’s proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the EASA AD.

You can view the proposed AD here. Comments are due January 2, 2026.