Airbus helicopters need more frequent inspections after a new part was found to be unsafe

US aviation regulators are proposing new rules for certain Airbus helicopters. These rules would require more frequent inspections and replacements of a specific part in the main rotor gearbox, expanding on previous requirements.

Helicopter operators will now face higher maintenance costs and more downtime for these specific Airbus models. This change means that a part previously thought to be safe in some gearboxes is now identified as a potential failure point, forcing a re-evaluation of maintenance schedules across the fleet. The FAA is responding to a newly identified safety risk, which means the previous rules were not enough.