Airbus helicopter owners must use manufacturer's fix for tail rotor
What happened
The US aviation regulator is tightening maintenance rules for certain Airbus helicopters. Owners of EC130T2 models must install a specific new part to fix tail rotor vibration and cannot use older repair methods.
Why it matters
Helicopter operators must now buy and install a specific part to address a known safety issue. This means they can no longer rely on previous inspection and repair methods for tail rotor vibration, which the manufacturer has now superseded with a new design.
The signal
Watch for any reports of tail rotor failures on these specific helicopter models after the new parts are installed.