Airworthiness Directive 2026-09-15
recurringAirworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
What this AD requires
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-01-04 for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. AD 2023-01-04 required, for helicopters with certain part- numbered tail rotor head (TRH) spider pitch change units installed, inspecting the pitch change spider nut (nut) for correct installation; marking a 2 to 5 mm wide black paint index mark and repetitively inspecting the alignment of the marking; and performing additional inspections and corrective actions if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-01-04, new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations were issued, which terminated the requirement for the repetitive inspections of the black paint index marking. This AD requires the same actions as AD 2023-01-04, except for the repetitive black paint index marking inspections and prohibits installing certain parts unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Which aircraft AD 2026-09-15 applies to
Note: Helicopters with AS350B3e designation are Model AS350B3 helicopters.
Whether AD 2026-09-15 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:
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.