WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Federal Aviation Administration has issued a rule called: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on March 16 by Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.

Summary: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a tail rotor drive rear shaft that came into contact with its rear damper during a flight test. This AD requires repetitive visual inspections of the rear damper and, depending on the results, corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. ...