Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10309-10311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04165]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-5036; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00748-R; 
Amendment 39-23267; AD 2026-04-07]
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 EC120B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a 
report of cyclic flight control restrictions due to the incorrect 
positioning of the bonding braid on the socket of the pilot cyclic 
stick, which limited full movement of the pilot cyclic stick during 
flight. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the position of the 
bonding braid on the socket of the pilot cyclic stick and, depending on 
the results, correcting the positioning of the bonding braid and 
installing a binding clamp. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 7, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 7, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5036; 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-2025-5036.

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 all Airbus Helicopters 
Model EC120B helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on November 28, 2025 (90 FR 54601). The NPRM was prompted by 
EASA AD 2024-0243, dated December 13, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0243) (also 
referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI advises of a 
report that a pilot experienced several occurrences of a cyclic flight 
control restriction when turning right during an instruction flight. 
Subsequent investigation determined that the bonding braid on the 
socket of the pilot cyclic stick had moved to an incorrect position, 
which limited full movement of the pilot cyclic stick. This condition, 
if not addressed, could result in a cyclic flight control restriction 
during flight and consequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time inspection of 
the position of the bonding braid on the socket of the pilot cyclic 
stick and, depending on the results, correcting the positioning of the 
bonding braid and installing a binding clamp.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct the incorrect 
positioning of the bonding braid on the socket of the pilot cyclic 
stick. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a cyclic 
flight control restriction during flight and consequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5036.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

[[Page 10310]]

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 2024-0243, which specifies a one-time 
inspection of the position of the bonding braid on the socket of the 
pilot cyclic stick and, depending on the results, correcting the 
positioning of the bonding braid and installing a binding clamp. 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 72 helicopters of the U.S. 
registry.
    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
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Inspect position of bonding braid and      1 work-hour x $85 per hour            $0          $85          $6,120
 install binding clamp.                     = $85.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any repairs 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Action                                 Labor cost              Parts cost   Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Correct position of bonding braid.............  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85           $0                $85
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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:

2026-04-07 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23267; Docket No. FAA-
2025-5036; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00748-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 7, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters EC120B helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6700, Rotorcraft 
Flight Control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of cyclic flight control 
restrictions due to the incorrect positioning of the bonding braid 
on the socket of the pilot cyclic stick, which limited full movement 
of the pilot cyclic stick during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to detect and correct the incorrect positioning of the bonding braid 
on the socket of the pilot cyclic stick. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in a cyclic flight control restriction 
during flight

[[Page 10311]]

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 paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0243, 
dated December 13, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0243).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0243

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0243 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0243 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0243.

(i) 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 (j) 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.

(j) 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].

(k) 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 2024-0243, 
dated December 13, 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 February 17, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-04165 Filed 3-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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