AD Proposed for AStar/TwinStar Helicopters - National Agricultural Aviation Association

The FAA has proposed adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus AS350 (AStar) and AS355 (TwinStar) Helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturer assessment that determined additional actions are necessary to improve particle detection for main gearboxes (MGBs) with certain planet gear bearings installed. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the MGB bevel wheel for the presence of particles, repetitively inspecting the MGB magnetic plug for particles, and prohibit installing an affected MGB unless certain requirements are met. These actions are specified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0044.

You can view the proposed AD here. Comments are due by December 20, 2024.