FAA AD 2026-05-06 for Airbus Helicopters addresses fatigue cracks in the tail rotor pitch change spider arms, resulting from increased loads due to degraded bearing stacks in the tail rotor system.

This new AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and SA330J helicopters, certificated in any category.

Effective Date: April 17, 2026.

Published in the Federal Register on March 13, 2026 (Volume 91, Number 49).

For full details, compliance instructions, affected part numbers, reduced life limit tables, replacement procedures, and the incorporated EASA AD 2024-0250, view the official AD in the FAA Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) or the regulations.gov docket FAA-2025-5043.

Stay updated on rotorcraft airworthiness directives—check our Rotorcraft Network and AD Summaries archive for future posts on Airbus, Bell, Sikorsky, and other models.

Categories: Airworthiness Directives, Airbus Helicopters

Tags: FAA AD, tail rotor, AS332, SA330, Super Puma, Puma, bearing stack, EASA