Airbus helicopters get red paint marks to show if tail rotor bolts are loose
What happened
The US aviation regulator is updating rules for Airbus EC120B helicopters. Mechanics must now add red paint marks to the tail rotor hub body, which will make it easier to spot loose bolts.
Why it matters
Previously, mechanics had to perform repetitive, detailed inspections of the tail rotor hub. Now, a simple visual check of the paint marks will tell them if something is wrong. This change means less time spent on maintenance and a clearer indicator of a potential safety issue.
The signal
Watch for any changes in the frequency of tail rotor issues reported for these helicopters, or if other helicopter models adopt similar visual inspection methods.