AD Issued for AStar Cargo Swing Frame

The FAA has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD 2025-10-01) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2, AS350B3 and EC130B4 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of broken cargo swing frames and the determination to change an existing repetitive inspection threshold. 

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued EASA AD 2023-0107 dated May 26, 2023 (corrected June 2, 2023) after finding that the interval for repetitive inspections of the swing cargo installation, currently defined in operating hours in the applicable aircraft maintenance manual, must instead be based on sling cycles. 

FAA’s AD directs compliance with the EASA AD, except that the procedures must be accomplished by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3 and the only corrective action approved is to replace the cargo swing frame if an identified defect is found. 

You can view the AD here; it is effective July 11, 2025.