Airbus helicopters must get new inspections for engine wear, or be grounded

US aviation regulators are proposing new mandatory inspections for a specific part in Airbus helicopter engines. This means helicopter operators will have to check for metal particles in the main gearbox more often, or they cannot fly the aircraft.

When a manufacturer finds a problem with a critical part, regulators often issue an Airworthiness Directive. This forces all operators of affected aircraft to perform specific checks or repairs. This particular directive means that a known wear issue in the main gearbox of many Airbus helicopter models must now be actively monitored, shifting the burden of detection from the manufacturer to the operators.