Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Key claim: The FAA proposes requiring operators of Airbus AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters to do an extra inspection of the emergency sea anchor—and replace it if it fails—on top of an existing inspection rule.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration) The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-17-03, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. AD 2025-17-03 requires inspecting the emergency sea anchor and, depending on the result, replacing the emergency sea anchor. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-17-03, it has been determined that an additional inspection of an affected emergency sea anchor must be accomplished. This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2025-17-03, would also require an additional inspection, and depending on the result, replacing the emergency sea anchor. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Why this matters
Emergency sea anchors are critical flotation-related safety equipment for helicopters operating over water, and offshore-transport variants like the AS332/EC225 are the workhorses of oil-and-gas rotorcraft fleets. Adding an inspection layer incrementally tightens survivability assurance for ditching scenarios without changing the broader airworthiness regime.