Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 157 (Monday, August 18, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40025-40028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15657]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0765; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00981-R; 
Amendment 39-23106; AD 2025-16-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 
Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4 and EC 130 T2 helicopters. This AD 
was prompted by the determination that fatigue cracks may develop at 
the root section of certain tail rotor blades (TRBs). This AD requires 
inspecting those TRBs and, depending on the results, replacing the TRB 
with a serviceable TRB. This AD also prohibits installing those TRBs 
unless certain actions are accomplished. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 22, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
22, 2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0765; 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material 
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; 
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find

[[Page 40026]]

the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <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, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0765.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Jason Franklin, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (817) 222-5291; email: [email protected].

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 Airbus Helicopters 
Model EC 130 B4 and EC 130 T2 helicopters. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on April 1, 2024 (89 FR 22356). The NPRM was prompted 
by EASA AD 2022-0150, dated July 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0150) (also 
referred to as ``the MCAI''), issued by EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that 
fatigue cracks may develop at the root section of certain part-numbered 
TRBs.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively fluorescent 
penetrant inspecting those TRBs and, depending on the results, 
accomplishing corrective action. The FAA also proposed to prohibit 
installing those TRBs unless certain actions are accomplished. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracks on a TRB, which if not 
addressed, could result in crack propagation, TRB failure, and 
consequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0765.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from four commenters. The commenters were 
Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA), Air Methods, Airbus 
Helicopters, and Metro Aviation, Inc. The commenters requested changes 
regarding the repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) and 
inspector level requirements, and two commenters made remarks regarding 
differences between the FAA and EASA AD actions. The following presents 
the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each 
comment.

Comments Regarding Inspector Level Requirements

    Air Methods, Airbus Helicopters, and Metro Aviation, Inc., 
requested the FAA change the proposed requirement for the inspection to 
be performed by a certified Level II or III inspector. Airbus 
Helicopters and Metro Aviation, Inc., stated that the Level II or Level 
III inspector requirement is burdensome and prohibitive to immediate 
operations. Air Methods requested the FAA explain this proposed 
requirement, which is not required by the Airbus Helicopters service 
information or EASA AD 2022-0150. Air Methods commented that a similar 
requirement was recently included in AD 2024-04-10, Amendment 39-22689 
(89 FR 15431, March 4, 2024) (AD 2024-04-10), which resulted in the 
need for operators to immediately request FAA approval of an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to avoid grounding the fleet 
due to unavailability of certified inspectors.
    The FAA agrees and has removed paragraph (h)(3) from this final 
rule.

Comments Regarding FPI Requirements

    All commenters requested the FAA remove the proposed requirement 
for FPIs instead of Die Penetrant Inspection (DPI) and instead adopt 
EASA AD 2022-0150 without restrictions. Metro Aviation, Inc., stated 
that it has successfully accomplished DPIs of the affected TRBs with no 
unsatisfactory findings. Metro Aviation, Inc. also noted that the FAA's 
proposal is inconsistent with past ADs, as AD 2021-10-25, Amendment 39-
21558 (86 FR 29176, June 1, 2021) (AD 2021-10-25), requires DPI of the 
same part-numbered TRBs and a global AMOC approved for AD 2024-04-10 
showed that DPI provided an acceptable level of safety. AMOA expressed 
concern about the FAA's inconsistency and differences with the State of 
Design Authority as to the use of DPIs for cracks on certain TRBs. AMOA 
stated that the FAA did not explain what changed since the FAA issued 
AD 2021-10-25, which required the DPI method. AMOA further stated that 
it is unclear if the FAA followed its terms under the relevant 
bilateral agreement to accept the State of Design Authority's 
requirements and resolve differences.
    The FAA agrees to remove paragraph (h)(3) of the proposed AD, which 
would have required an FPI instead of a DPI. However, FPI remains the 
preferred method of compliance for this AD. Dye penetrant inspection 
methods involve the use of either visible (colored) penetrant or 
fluorescent penetrant. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC130-05A041 
specifies to perform a DPI with a general reference to Airbus Standard 
Practices Manual (MTC) 20-02-09-101. MTC 20-02-09-101, Crack detection 
through dye-penetrant inspection, dated May 25, 2016, identifies Type I 
(fluorescent penetrant) as the type of penetrant to be used and states 
Type II (colored penetrant) should be only used for a cross-check once 
a crack has been detected or otherwise with approval from Airbus 
Helicopters. The FAA reminds operators of the airworthiness concern 
regarding liquid penetrant inspection discussed in FAA Special 
Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-18-26R1, dated October 30, 
2018 (SAIB CE-18-26R1). SAIB CE-18-26R1 explains the risks associated 
with using visible DPI methods, including the prohibition in American 
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1417 on the use of type 2 
visible dye penetrant prior to the use of type 1 fluorescent penetrant 
on the same surface. SAIB CE-18-26R1 also advises of the importance of 
pre- and post-inspection cleaning to ensure proper detection of cracks. 
You can find SAIB CE-18-26R1 at drs.gov.

Additional Changes Made From the NPRM

    The FAA added paragraph (k) of this AD to allow revising the 
maintenance or inspection program as an optional terminating action for 
the repetitive inspections. Since the FAA issued the NPRM, EASA revised 
AD 2022-0150 and issued EASA AD 2022-0150R1, dated July 10, 2024 (EASA 
AD 2022-0150R1). EASA AD 2022-0150R1 does not require repeating the DPI 
because Airbus Helicopters revised the airworthiness limitations 
section (ALS) of the aircraft maintenance manual to include the 
repetitive inspection requirements addressed by EASA AD 2022-0150. The 
FAA is considering further rulemaking action to require incorporating 
the revised ALS into the existing maintenance manual or instructions 
for continued airworthiness and the existing maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, as terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections.
    The FAA removed paragraph (h)(4) of the proposed AD, which replaced 
the text ``affected parts'' with ``serviceable parts,'' since this 
exception is not necessary.
    The FAA revised paragraph (j) of the proposed AD, which would have 
prohibited special flight permits if there were a crack in the TRB, to 
instead

[[Page 40027]]

prohibit all special flight permits. The TRB is a critical component of 
the helicopter, and flight in exceedance of the compliance threshold of 
this AD, as well as flight with a crack in the TRB, should not be 
permitted.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the 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, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 
considered the 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 other changes described previously, this AD 
is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes increase the 
economic burden on any operator.

Related AD

    AD 2021-10-25 applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4 
and EC 130 T2 helicopters. AD 2021-10-25 was prompted by EASA AD 2020-
0187, dated August 21, 2020. The FAA issued AD 2021-10-25 to address 
geometrical non-conformities of the TRBs, which could lead to crack 
initiation and consequent blade failure and possible loss of control of 
the helicopter. AD 2021-10-25 requires cleaning the TRBs, visual and 
dye penetrant inspections for cracks in the TRBs, a dimensional 
inspection to verify conformity of the TRB, and corrective actions if 
necessary. AD 2021-10-25 and this AD require a DPI of the same TRB 
part-numbers for the same helicopter models. However, AD 2021-10-25 
requires performing a DPI of the drain holes, whereas this AD requires 
performing a DPI of the area surrounding the drain holes.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0150, which specifies procedures for 
repetitive DPIs on certain part-numbered TRBs for cracking and, 
depending on the results, replacing the TRB with a serviceable TRB. 
Also, EASA AD 2022-0150 prohibits installing certain TRBs on any 
helicopter unless its requirements are met.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 275 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per hour. Based on these 
numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
    Inspecting a TRB takes 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of up to 
$850 per helicopter (up to 10 affected TRBs per helicopter) and 
$233,750 for the U.S. fleet. If required, replacing a TRB takes 4 work-
hours and parts cost $4,175 for an estimated cost of $4,515 per TRB.
    Revising the maintenance or inspection program as an optional 
terminating action, if done, takes 1 work-hour, for an estimated cost 
of $85 per helicopter.

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
    (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:

2025-16-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23106; Docket No. FAA-
2024-0765; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00981-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 22, 
2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4 and EC 130 
T2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6410, Tail Rotor 
Blades.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the determination that fatigue cracks 
may develop at the root section of a tail rotor blade (TRB). The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracks on a TRB. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in crack propagation, TRB 
failure, and consequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022-0150, 
dated July 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0150).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0150

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0150 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0150 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2022-0150.

[[Page 40028]]

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0150 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(k) Optional Terminating Action

    Revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of your existing 
helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued 
airworthiness and your existing approved maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to include the repetitive inspections in 
paragraph (g) of this AD is terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections required by this AD.

(l) 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 (m) of 
this AD and email to: [email protected].
    (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.

(m) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact C. Jason Franklin, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5291; email: 
[email protected].

(n) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0150, 
dated July 21, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on August 1, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-15657 Filed 8-15-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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