Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 233 (Monday, December 8, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56677-56679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22279]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-1363; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00098-R; 
Amendment 39-23202; AD 2025-24-06]
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 
certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350B2, AS 350B3, AS355N, AS355NP, 
and EC 130 B4 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a loss 
of cargo load during cargo swing operation on a helicopter due to an 
incorrect adjustment of the release cable of the cargo swing emergency 
release control. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the cargo 
swing emergency release control and, depending on the results, 
corrective actions. 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-2025-1363; 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 this 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-2025-1363.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (817) 222-5225; 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 Airbus Helicopters 
Model AS 350B2, AS 350B3, AS355N, AS355NP, and EC 130 B4 helicopters 
equipped with ONBOARD systems 3500LB, having part number (P/N) 
704A41811035. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 
22, 2025 (90 FR 34386). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0025, 
dated January 23, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0025) (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 a report was received of 
a loss of cargo load during cargo swing operation on a helicopter. 
Subsequent investigation revealed an incorrect adjustment of the 
release cable of the cargo swing emergency release control.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time inspection of 
the cargo swing emergency release control and, depending on the 
results, corrective actions.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address the adjustment of the cargo 
swing emergency release control. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in inflight loss of cargo load and injury to 
persons on the ground.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1363.

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from one individual who disagreed with 
the practice of relying on manufacturer-issued and foreign regulatory 
documents that are not fully integrated into the rule text. The 
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to the comment.

Request To Incorporate Requirements Directly Into the AD

    The individual commenter requested that the FAA AD become a stand-
alone document. The individual commented that relying on EASA's AD as 
the base document, and providing exceptions in the FAA's rule, makes 
the requirements confusing and could lead to possible errors.
    The FAA disagrees with the request. In the FAA's ongoing efforts to 
improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process 
to use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of 
information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. 
This AD incorporates EASA AD 2025-0025 by reference. Incorporating 
information by reference is a common method of federal rulemaking, that 
is explicitly permitted under 1 CFR part 51. As stated in the 
Incorporation by Reference Handbook, June 2023 Edition, incorporation 
of relevant, usually technical information (such as the MCAI) promotes 
efficiency. The complete inspection method, measurable thresholds, and 
corrective actions are included in EASA AD 2025-0025 and the material 
referenced in EASA AD 2025-0025, which are available at regulations.gov 
under the Docket No. for this AD, FAA-2025-1363. The FAA has not 
changed this AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the CAA 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

[[Page 56678]]

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 2025-0025, which specifies procedures for 
a one-time inspection of the cargo swing emergency release control and, 
depending on the results, corrective actions. Corrective actions 
include adjustment of the cargo swing emergency release control or 
replacement of the dropping control. 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 1,036 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. Based on these numbers, 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        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect cargo swing emergency release   1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $88,060
 control.                                hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any repairs or 
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 repair.

                                               On-condition costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjust cargo swing emergency release control..  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =                 $0            $170
                                                 $170.
Replace dropping control......................  1.5 work-hours x $85 per hour =            3,527           3,655
                                                 $128.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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:

2025-24-06 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23202; Docket No. FAA-
2025-1363; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00098-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 AS 350B2, AS 350B3, 
AS355N, AS355NP, and EC 130 B4 helicopters, certificated in any 
category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 
2025-0025, dated January 23, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0025).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a loss of cargo load during 
cargo swing operation on a helicopter due to an incorrect adjustment 
of the release cable of the cargo swing emergency release control. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the adjustment of the cargo 
swing emergency release control. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in inflight loss of cargo load and injury to 
persons on the ground.

[[Page 56679]]

(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, EASA AD 2025-0025.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0025

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0025 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0025 refers to ``distance `B' '', this AD 
requires replacing that text with ``distance `B', the distance 
between the ball end and the manual release lever''.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2025-0025 refers to ``distance `C' '', this AD 
requires replacing that text with ``distance `C', the distance 
between the ball end and the dropping control''.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0025.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0025 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

(j) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the 
actions of this AD can be accomplished provided that no external 
load is carried in the cargo swing.

(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) 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.

(l) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Steven Warwick, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; email: 
[email protected].

(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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0025, 
dated January 23, 2025.
    (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 the 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/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on December 4, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-22279 Filed 12-5-25; 8:45 am]
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