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Airworthiness Directive 2026-10-20

one-time
Official AD 2026-10-20 · FR doc 2026-11175 · 2026-06-04 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

What this AD requires

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of excessive vibrations in-flight due to an incorrect installation of the angular ball bearing of the control ring assembly. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the affected swashplates and, depending on the results of the inspection, corrective actions. This AD prohibits the installation of an affected swashplate on a helicopter, unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Which aircraft AD 2026-10-20 applies to

MakesAirbus Helicopters Deutschland Gmbh
ModelsMBB-BK 117 D-3, MBB-BK 117

Whether AD 2026-10-20 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.

How AD compliance is recorded

A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:

Method of compliance — The specific action taken (inspected, replaced, modified) and to what revision.
Date — When the work was done.
Aircraft time — Total time in service / tach at compliance — how recurring next-due is computed.
Signature & certificate — The A&P/IA who returned it to service, with certificate number.
Is AD 2026-10-20 complied with on your aircraft?

Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.

Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)

Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.