Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Key claim: The FAA proposes to give operators of certain Airbus SA330J helicopters more time to install an improved main-gearbox cooling-fan bearing assembly, while still requiring repeated inspections and restricting which replacement bearings can be installed.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration) The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-08-06, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2025-08-06 requires repetitively inspecting for a gap between the main gearbox (MGB) oil cooling fan assembly rotor blade and the upper section of the guide vane bearing housing, replacing the MGB fan rotor bearings with serviceable bearings if necessary, and at a later compliance time replacing the MGB fan rotor bearing assembly with an improved MGB fan rotor bearing assembly, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-08-06, the FAA has determined that the compliance time for installing the improved MGB fan rotor bearing assembly should be extended. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2025-08-06 and would increase the compliance time for installing the improved MGB fan rotor bearing assembly. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing any MGB fan rotor bearings and any MGB fan rotor bearing assembly, unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Why this matters
Extending a parts-replacement deadline while keeping inspections in place is a common AD pattern that balances fleet operational feasibility against continued safety oversight. For SA330J operators, the practical effect is more scheduling flexibility for the terminating modification without loss of interim risk mitigation.