Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9-11]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-24179]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-2273; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00689-R; 
Amendment 39-23216; AD 2025-25-08]
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 H160-B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a 
determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations 
are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance 
manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing 
approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by 
incorporating new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 6, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 6, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2273; 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 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-2025-2273.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yves Petiote, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (202) 975-4867; 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 H160-B helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on September 8, 2025 (90 FR 43162). The NPRM was prompted by 
EASA AD 2024-0223, dated November 26, 2024

[[Page 10]]

(EASA AD 2024-0223) (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 the airworthiness limitations for Airbus 
Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters, which are approved by EASA, are 
currently defined and published in the Airbus Helicopters H160-B 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) document. EASA advises that 
these instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued 
airworthiness and that Revision 16 of Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B, 
dated May 27, 2024, has been issued to introduce new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing 
maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the 
existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by 
incorporating new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of certain parts 
which, if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2273.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from one individual who supported the 
NPRM without change.

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, 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 2024-0223, which specifies procedures for 
replacing components before exceeding their life limits and 
accomplishing all applicable maintenance tasks within thresholds and 
intervals specified in the ALS. Depending on the results of the 
maintenance tasks, EASA AD 2024-0223 specifies procedures for 
accomplishing corrective action(s) or contacting Airbus Helicopters for 
approved instructions and accomplishing those instructions.
    Additionally, EASA AD 2024-0223 specifies procedures for revising 
the Aircraft Maintenance Programme (AMP) by incorporating the 
limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals described 
in the specified ALS, as applicable. Revising the AMP constitutes 
terminating action for the requirement to record accomplishment of the 
actions of replacing components before exceeding their life limits and 
accomplishing maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals 
specified in the applicable ALS as specified in EASA AD 2024-0223 for 
demonstration of AD compliance on a continued basis.
    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 MCAI requires, as individual tasks, replacing certain 
components before exceeding applicable life limits, accomplishing 
certain maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals as specified 
in the ALS, as defined within, and depending on the results, 
accomplishing corrective action, whereas this AD does not because the 
applicable ALS, along with the FAA regulatory framework, make it 
unnecessary or inappropriate to adopt certain paragraphs of the MCAI.
    The MCAI also requires revising the approved AMP by incorporating 
the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals 
described in that ALS within 12 months, whereas this AD requires 
revising the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued 
airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, by incorporating the limitations, tasks, and 
associated thresholds and intervals described in that ALS within 30 
days, and clarifies that if the initial instance of an incorporated 
limitation or threshold therein is reached before 30 days after the 
effective date of the final rule of this AD, you still have up to 30 
days after the effective date of the final rule of this AD to 
accomplish the corresponding task.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects four helicopters of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise ALS...............................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour            $0          $85            $340
                                            = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

[[Page 11]]

    (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:

2025-25-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23216; Docket No. FAA-
2025-2273; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00689-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 6, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
certain parts which, if not addressed, 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

    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 2024-0223, 
dated November 26, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0223).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0223

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0223 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2024-0223.
    (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0223 specifies ``Within 
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved 
AMP'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``Within 30 days 
after the effective date of this AD, revise the airworthiness 
limitations section of the existing maintenance manual or 
instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable''.
    (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0223 is on or before the applicable 
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0223 or within 30 days 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0223.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    No alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed for compliance with paragraph (g) 
of this AD unless they are approved as specified in the provisions 
of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2024-0223.

(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, 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 Yves Petiote, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202) 975-4867; 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 2024-0223, 
dated November 26, 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 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/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on December 8, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-24179 Filed 12-31-25; 8:45 am]
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