AD Proposed for AS350 AStar and AS355 Twinstar

The FAA has proposed adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus AS350 and AS355 Helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of debonding on the leading edge protection of certain part-numbered main rotor blades (MRBs). 

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued EASA AD 2022-0246 in December 2022 to address this unsafe condition, which, if not detected and corrected, could lead to significant unbalance of the main rotor, a high level of vibration, failure of the main rotor, failure of the main gearbox, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA’s proposed AD would require accomplishing actions specified in the EASA AD, namely repetitive tap inspections of affected MRBs and repair or replacement as necessary in accordance with Airbus Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AS350-05.01.07 or AS355-05.00.91 as applicable.

You can view the Proposed AD here. Comments are due May 31, 2024.