Rule2025-22320
Airworthiness Directives; Hélicoptères Guimbal Helicopters
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 9, 2025
Effective
January 13, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal (Guimbal) Model Cabri G2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked main rotor swashplates (swashplates). This AD requires repetitively inspecting certain swashplates for cracks and, depending on the results, removing and replacing each cracked swashplate. This AD also prohibits installing an affected swashplate unless it has passed the inspection requirements. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 234 (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56982-56985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22320]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1102; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00183-R;
Amendment 39-23205; AD 2025-24-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal (Guimbal) Model Cabri G2
helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked main rotor
swashplates (swashplates). This AD requires repetitively inspecting
certain swashplates for cracks and, depending on the results, removing
and replacing each cracked swashplate. This AD also prohibits
installing an affected swashplate unless it has passed the inspection
requirements. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 13, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 13,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1102; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Guimbal material identified in this AD, contact
Guimbal, 1070, rue du Lieutenant Parayre, A[eacute]rodrome d'Aix-en-
Provence, 13290 Les Milles, France; phone: 33-04-42-39-10-88; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d9aaaca9a9b6abad99e5b8f9b1abbcbfe4" http: guimbal.com">guimbal.com</a>">support@<a href="http://guimbal.com">guimbal.com</a></a>; or at <a href="http://guimbal.com">guimbal.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA,
[[Page 56983]]
call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1102.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Weir, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817)
222-4045; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#accbc9c3decbc982cd82dbc9c5deeccacdcd82cbc3da"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e88f8d879a8f8dc689c69f8d819aa88e8989c68f879e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Guimbal Model Cabri
G2 helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June
18, 2025 (90 FR 25906). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0071, dated
March 14, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0071) (also referred to as the MCAI),
issued by European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI
states that occurrences were reported where, during maintenance, cracks
were found on the rotating and non-rotating part of the swashplates of
two Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters. Guimbal concluded that the
cracks were likely caused by aging and corrosion.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removing the paint on each
swashplate and repetitively visually inspecting the six arms of the
rotating and non-rotating swashplates for cracks and, depending on the
results, removing and replacing any cracked swashplate or repainting
the swashplate. The NPRM also prohibited installing an affected
swashplate unless it has passed the proposed inspection requirements.
The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct a cracked swashplate.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure of a
cracked swashplate, which could result in loss of control of the
helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1102.
Comments
The FAA received comments from 12 commenters. The commenters were
Austin Peay State University Aviation Science, Cabri US, Rotor Leasing
LLC, Carlson Aeromotive, EASA, H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal,
Precision Support Services, and five individual commenters. The
majority of the commenters expressed concerns regarding the necessity
of paint removal for the initial inspection and stated that the cost
estimates for the inspection and corrective actions appear to be
undervalued. Additional concerns were raised about the frequency of
inspections, the availability of materials, and the potential use of a
magnifying glass during the process. Furthermore, there is a desire for
the FAA AD to align with the information outlined in the EASA AD.
Several commenters also voiced support for the opinions of their peers.
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Remove Paint Removal Requirement for the Initial and
Repetitive Inspections
Eleven commenters requested a revision of the required actions to
remove the required action of removing the paint as part of the initial
and repetitive inspections. Five of the commenters stated that the
stripping and repainting is only required in cases of doubt in the
required service material and not at each inspection. Several
commenters stated there is a significant risk of damaging or weakening
the integrity of the swashplate due to repeated paint stripping and
this paint stripping will not enhance the detection of potential
cracks. Guimbal stated that removing the paint at each inspection could
create new corrosion areas as well as painting errors.
Austin Peay State University Aviation Science stated that the
proposed AD will bypass the initial visual inspection and cause
maintenance personnel to initiate invasive maintenance procedures, such
as sanding paint and metal and using abrasives, which will introduce
flaws and could develop into stress fractures and shorten the life of
the component. Additionally, Rotor Leasing LLC stated that, if the FAA
has concerns regarding an undetected crack, it would be prudent to
mandate a dye penetrant inspection rather than relying solely on a
visual inspection. Furthermore, several commenters stated the urethane
paint will crack along with the aluminum if a crack appears and thus
ensure that any cracks won't be concealed by the existing paint.
The FAA partially agrees. The FAA agrees that removing the paint in
order to accomplish the initial and repetitive visual inspections is
unnecessary and revised this AD by eliminating those requirements. The
FAA disagrees with requiring a dye penetrant inspection instead of a
visual inspection in order to accomplish the inspection of the rotating
and non-rotating swashplates for a crack.
Request To Revise the Inspection Interval
Three of the commenters requested that the inspection intervals
proposed in the NPRM of not exceeding 60 hours time in service (TIS) be
revised to align with the 50-hour TIS, 100-hour TIS, and annual
inspections as specified in the service material. The commenters stated
these standard inspections already necessitate a visual inspection of
the swashplate, and requiring an additional visual inspection is not
cost-effective.
The FAA disagrees with revising the proposed inspection intervals
from 60 hours TIS or 14 months, whichever occurs first. This final rule
follows the inspection intervals specified in the MCAI and the service
material. In addition, repetitive inspections may always be conducted
before exceeding the 60 hours TIS to align with maintenance intervals.
The FAA has not changed this AD in this regard.
Request To Revise the Cost of Compliance Paragraph
Several commenters stated the process of removing the paint,
inspecting, and reapplying the paint will take a minimum of 2 hours and
possibly up to 4 hours not 30 minutes as indicated in the NPRM. The
commenters requested revising this estimate to increase to two hours.
The commenters also suggested revising the labor rate of $85 per hour
to a range between $125 and $185 per hour to reflect current rates.
The FAA partially agrees. After considering the data presented by
commenters, the FAA agrees that the number of work-hours required to
remove the paint, inspect and reapply the paint is higher than the
agency's previous estimate. The Costs of Compliance paragraph has been
revised to indicate this as an on-condition cost and has increased the
estimated work-hours associated with this required action to 2 work-
hours. The FAA disagrees with changing the labor rate of $85 per hour.
The FAA notes that the current wage rate for aviation mechanics as
provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, found at <a href="http://data.bls.gov/oesprofile">data.bls.gov/oesprofile</a>, after accounting for fringe benefits that are valued at
roughly 50 percent of the nominal wage, is lower than the estimated
fully burdened labor rate of $85 per hour. Therefore, the FAA is unable
to justify increasing the labor rate from $85 per hour.
Request To Revise the Materials Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR
Part 51 Paragraph
Austin Peay State University Aviation Science stated in the section
titled Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR part 51, the
statement that material is reasonably available is incorrect. The
commenter states the
[[Page 56984]]
approved paint is only available in Europe and is not readily available
due to the long shipping process.
The FAA infers that the commenter assumed this paragraph was
referencing the required materials (i.e., the paint) when in fact this
paragraph references the required service materials (i.e., service
bulletins and documents) and not the materials required to perform the
actions in the AD. Based on this inference, the FAA disagrees. The FAA
has not changed this AD in this regard.
Request Modification of Inspection Procedures
Austin Peay State University Aviation Science requested the visual
inspection include the usage of a 10x magnifying glass to aid in the
detection of a crack. In addition, they requested the wording ``If
operated in a severe corrosion zone'' for helicopters operating in a
corrosive environment, after the initial inspection and thereafter at
every 2,200 hour inspection, remove the paint on the swashplate and a
visually inspect for cracks.
The FAA disagrees. If there is a crack, the paint will crack with
the material underneath. Therefore, requiring the usage of a magnifying
glass or removing the paint at every 2,200-hour inspection is
unnecessary. Cracks can occur on any helicopter regardless of the
operating environment. Restricting the inspection to only those
``operated in severe corrosion zone'' could lead to possible missed
helicopters. The FAA has not changed this AD in this regard.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, and any other changes described previously,
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will
increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Guimbal Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-001,
Revision C, dated March 20, 2024 (Guimbal SB 24-001 C), which specifies
procedures for performing repetitive inspections of the six arms from
both the rotating and non-rotating swashplate part number G41-00-000
for cracks, replacing any cracked swashplate, and contacting Guimbal
support. If there is doubt about the existence of a crack or if there
is paint damage or peeling, Guimbal SB 24-001 C specifies removing the
paint and further inspecting for cracks. If no crack is found, Guimbal
SB 24-001 C specifies touching up the paint in areas where paint was
removed before approving the helicopter for return to service.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
The material referenced in the MCAI specifies contacting Guimbal
support after replacing the swashplate, whereas this AD does not
require that action.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 59 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost inspection operators per
cycle inspection cycle
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Inspect Swashplate.................... .25 work-hours x $85 per $0 $22 $1,298
hour = $22.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacements that
would be required based on the results of the inspection. The agency
has no way of determining the number of helicopters that might need
this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Remove paint, inspect, and repaint Swashplate 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $60 $230
$170.
Replace Swashplate........................... 6 work-hours x $85 per hour = 7,066 7,576
$510.
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
[[Page 56985]]
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-24-08 H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal: Amendment 39-23205;
Docket No. FAA-2025-1102; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00183-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 13, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal (Guimbal)
Model Cabri G2 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a
main rotor swashplate part number (P/N) G41-00-000 installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6230, Main Rotor
Mast/Swashplate.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the rotating and
non-rotating parts of the swashplates. The FAA is issuing this AD to
detect and correct a cracked swashplate. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could lead to failure of a cracked swashplate, which
could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within the compliance time listed in table 1 to paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 hours
time in service (TIS) or 14 months, whichever occurs first, visually
inspect with a flashlight all six arms of both the rotating and non-
rotating swashplates for a crack, paying particular attention to
each face of each clevis arm as shown in the picture under paragraph
(a) of Guimbal Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-001, Revision C,
dated March 20, 2024 (Guimbal SB 24-001 C).
Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(1)
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Initial compliance
Swashplate serial No. time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
801 through 1077 inclusive...................... Within 30 hours TIS or
4 months, whichever
occurs first, after
the effective date of
this AD.
1078 and higher................................. Within 60 hours TIS or
6 months, whichever
occurs first, after
the effective date of
this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) If a crack is found on a swashplate during any inspection
required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight,
remove the cracked swashplate from service and install an airworthy
swashplate.
(3) If there is paint damage (i.e., scratches, fading, peeling,
discoloration, staining, or cracking), found on any swashplate
during an inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, remove
the paint using P600-GRIT abrasive for further crack inspection and
retouch all areas of each swashplate where paint was removed by
following paragraph (d) of Guimbal SB 24-001 C.
(h) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a swashplate
having P/N G41-00-000 on any helicopter, unless it has been
inspected in accordance with paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for any inspection and associated actions
required by paragraph (g) of this AD if you performed that
inspection before the effective date of this AD using Guimbal
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-001, Revision A, dated February 7,
2024, or Guimbal Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-001, Revision B,
dated March 13, 2024.
(j) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of
this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#adece0e2eeedcbcccc83cac2db"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbfaf6f4f8fbdddada95dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(l) Additional Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact George Weir,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-4045; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e7808288958082c986c990828e95a7818686c9808891"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5730323825303279367920323e251731363679303821">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Guimbal material identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraph (m)(3) of this AD.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Guimbal Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-001, Revision C,
dated March 20, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Guimbal material identified in this AD, contact
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal, 1070, rue du Lieutenant Parayre,
A[eacute]rodrome d'Aix-en-Provence, 13290 Les Milles, France; phone:
33-04-42-39-10-88; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#80f3f5f0f0eff2f4c0bce1a0e8f2e5e6bd" http: guimbal.com">guimbal.com</a>">support@<a href="http://guimbal.com">guimbal.com</a></a>; or at <a href="http://guimbal.com">guimbal.com</a>.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8bedf9a5e2e5f8fbeee8ffe2e4e5cbe5eaf9eaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cbadb9e5a2a5b8bbaea8bfa2a4a58ba5aab9aae5aca4bd">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on November 21, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-22320 Filed 12-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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