Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 233 (Monday, December 8, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56666-56668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22225]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-1350; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00510-R; 
Amendment 39-23196; AD 2025-24-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC 155B1 helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by a determination that the required forces to jettison the 
windows exceed the maximum jettisoning effort requirements and the 
development of a modification of the jettisonable windows. This AD 
requires replacement of the jettisonable windows and seals on the 
sliding doors and fixed panels on the left-hand and right-hand sides. 
This AD also requires the installation of new labels. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 12, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 12, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1350; 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.
    <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-2025-1350.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Hein, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 
946-4116; 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 155B and EC 155B1 helicopters. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on July 2, 2025 (90 FR 28913). The NPRM was prompted 
by AD 2024-0173, dated September 4, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0173) (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 
during tests concerning jettisoning of windows on a Model EC 155 
helicopter, it was identified that the required forces to jettison the 
windows exceed the maximum jettisoning effort requirements. The MCAI 
also states that Airbus Helicopters developed a modification of the 
jettisonable windows to address this unsafe condition.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacement of the 
jettisonable windows and seals on the sliding doors and fixed panels on 
the left-hand and right-hand sides. The FAA also proposed the 
installation of new labels.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the inability to jettison the 
window(s) during an emergency. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in a reduced capability to evacuate helicopter occupants 
during an emergency and consequent injury to helicopter occupants.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1350.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from two anonymous commenters that were 
unrelated to the actions proposed in the NPRM or that did not make a 
request that the FAA can act on. These comments are outside the scope 
of this AD.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another

[[Page 56667]]

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, 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 EASA AD 2024-0173, which specifies procedures for 
replacement of the jettisonable windows and seals on the sliding doors 
and fixed panels on the left-hand and right-hand sides. The MCAI also 
specifies procedure for installation of new labels on the sliding doors 
and fixed panels. 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 16 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                    Labor cost                 Parts cost                 Cost per product              Cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace windows and seals and      48 work-hours x $85   Up to $53,553................  Up to $57,633...............  Up to $922,128.
 install labels.                    per hour = $4,080.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2025-24-01 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23196; Docket No. FAA-
2025-1350; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00510-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 12, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC 155B1 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5620, Passenger 
Compartment Windows; 5630, Door Windows.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that the required forces 
to jettison the windows exceed the maximum jettisoning effort 
requirements and the development of a modification of the 
jettisonable windows. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the 
inability to jettison the window(s) during an emergency. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in a reduced capability to 
evacuate helicopter occupants during an emergency and consequent 
injury to helicopter occupants.

(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 2024-0173, 
dated September 4, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0173).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0173

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0173 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0173 refers to flight hours, this AD 
requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0173.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0173 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(j) 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 (k) of 
this AD and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector,

[[Page 56668]]

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Adam Hein, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; phone: (316) 946-4116; email: [email protected].

(l) 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0173, 
dated September 4, 2024.
    (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 November 19, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-22225 Filed 12-5-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T00:52:56.309174+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

2b8b4df4cf3cd5258f3e5890c98a7a7eb91b6c4c9d6f26ac56ba8f996b4881b0

Text SHA-256

94415a5358dca0236302f0d85d375cdb8eeaa5689c7617c276b5e9ac18d94697