Airbus helicopters must get their tail rotors inspected for cracks
What happened
The US aviation regulator now requires inspections for certain Airbus helicopters. This means operators must check specific parts of the tail rotor control system for cracks and fix them if found.
Why it matters
Helicopter tail rotors are critical for control. A broken control rod means the pilot loses the ability to steer the helicopter, which can lead to a crash. This new rule forces operators to find these problems before they cause an accident.
The signal
Watch for reports of how many helicopters are found with cracked parts during these inspections, and how quickly they are repaired.