# Proposed AD FAA-2025-1735: Airbus Helicopters

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2025-24-04
- Products: Airbus Helicopters
- Product type: Aircraft
- Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- Published: August 21, 2025, 90 FR 40786
- Comments due: October 6, 2025
- Became: [AD 2025-24-04](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2025-24-04)
- Docket: FAA-2025-1735 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2025-1735, where comments are filed)
- Project: MCAI-2024-00408-R
- FR document: 2025-16012
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/fb/e1/fbe157d124f7ab4f46e2fb782d228b8054400c763df1cd02dc4b058e1c8889c3 (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-08-21/pdf/2025-16012.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/21/2025-16012/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/FR-ADNPRM-2025-16012-00000000000.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2025-1735

## Summary

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-20-16, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, AS 355-F, AS 355-F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters and certain Model AS 350B3 helicopters. AD 2021-20-16 requires repetitive cleaning and visual and detailed inspections of the right-hand side of the vertical fin spar and vertical fin upper attachments for discrepancies (cracking) with corrective action, if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-20-16, Airbus Helicopters developed a modification of the upper fin assembly. This proposed AD would require the same actions as AD 2021-20-16 and would also require replacement of the upper fin assembly with a modified upper fin assembly, which would constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Notices in this docket

- Aug 21, 2025: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2025-16012, comments due Oct 6, 2025 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/21/2025-16012/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters)

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