AD Issued for AStar MGB Suspension Bar Attachments - National Agricultural Aviation Association

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a gap between the bolted assemblies under the attachment fittings of the main gearbox (MGB) suspension bars. This AD requires replacing any affected front and rear attachment fittings, screws, nuts and washers of the MGB suspension bars, and prohibits installing any affected parts unless they are new (never previously installed) parts.

The required actions are adopted from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD (EASA AD 2026-0021) and Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (AH EASB AS350-63-31-0001 Issue 002) for this issue.

AD 2026-07-12 (this AD) is effective April 29, 2026.