Airbus helicopters must get new tail inspections after a structural crack report

The US aviation regulator proposes new mandatory inspections for several models of Airbus helicopters. This means operators must regularly check the tail fin's vertical attachment spar for cracks and fix them, or replace the entire assembly.

A single crack report can trigger mandatory inspections across an entire fleet of aircraft. This proposed rule means that every operator of these specific Airbus helicopter models will now face new maintenance costs and potential downtime. It also means that certain tail fin parts can no longer be installed, tightening the supply chain for replacements.