Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10313-10316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04168]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-2284; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00071-R; 
Amendment 39-23275; AD 2026-05-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and 
EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of the loss of 
the horizontal stabilizer during flight. This AD requires initially 
inspecting the removed horizontal stabilizer, inspecting the tightening 
torque, and measuring the attachment holes, bracket, and tube assembly 
and if necessary performing corrective actions. This AD also requires 
repetitively inspecting the horizontal stabilizer while not removed, 
and if necessary performing corrective actions. This AD also prohibits 
installing an affected horizontal stabilizer unless certain 
requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 18, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 18, 
2026.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 17, 2026.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-2284; or in person at

[[Page 10314]]

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 street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.
    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-2026-2284.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-2284; Project Identifier MCAI-
2026-00071-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Carl 
Franklin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E, dated January 
22, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E) (also referred to as the 
MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters Model AS 
332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, AS 332 L2, and EC 225 LP 
helicopters. The MCAI states a report was received of an incident where 
Airbus Model EC 225 LP helicopter suffered a loss of the horizontal 
stabilizer during flight. The MCAI further states due to design 
similarity, Model AS 332 helicopters might also be affected. The MCAI 
states that EASA considers the MCAI an interim action.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the loss of the horizontal 
stabilizer. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the 
loss of control of the helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-2284.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E, which specifies 
procedures for an initial visual inspection of horizontal stabilizer, 
part number (P/N) 332A1310XXXX (manufacturer P/N 332A13-10XX-XX) for AS 
332 helicopters (where ``XXXX'' or ``XX-XX'' represents any numerical 
sequence); and metallic horizontal stabilizers, any P/N for EC 225 
helicopters. EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E specifies that the initial 
inspection includes removing the horizontal stabilizer from the 
helicopter, inspecting the flange for cracks, inspecting the tightening 
torque on the nut that attaches the tube assembly and the horizontal 
stabilizer, and measuring the ovalization of the attachment holes and 
the diameter of horizontal stabilizer internal bracket and the end of 
the tube assembly. Depending on the results of the inspections, EASA 
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters for 
repair instructions.
    Additionally, EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E specifies procedures 
for repetitive inspections, without the horizontal stabilizer removed, 
which include borescope inspecting the horizontal stabilizer for 
cracks, nicks, or corrosion and depending on the inspection results, 
contacting Airbus Helicopters for repair instructions.
    EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E also specifies that an affected part 
may be installed on a helicopter, if it is a new part (not previously 
installed on any helicopter) and concurrently with the installation, 
the part passed an inspection (no damage detected) as required by EASA 
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E.
    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.

FAA's Determination

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
(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 is issuing 
this AD after determining that the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA 
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E, described previously, as incorporated by 
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this proposed AD. See ``Differences Between this AD 
and the MCAI'' for a discussion of these differences.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    Where the MCAI specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters for repair 
instructions or corrective actions, this AD requires using a method 
approved by the FAA, EASA, or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design 
Organization Approval.

[[Page 10315]]

Interim Action

    The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. If final 
action is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some CAA ADs as the primary 
source of information for compliance with requirements for 
corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with 
manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA incorporates EASA 
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E by reference in the FAA final rule. This AD 
requires compliance with EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E in its entirety 
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as 
exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that 
are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA Emergency 
AD 2026-0015-E does not mean that operators need comply only with that 
section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required 
actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is 
not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance 
Time(s)'' in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E. Material required by EASA 
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E for compliance will be available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-2284 after the FAA final rule 
is published.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the separation of the horizontal stabilizer in flight, if not 
addressed, could result in the loss of control of the helicopter. The 
actions required by this AD must be accomplished within 20 hours time 
in-service or 30 days, whichever occurs first after the effective date 
of this AD. This compliance time in this AD is shorter than the time 
necessary for the public to comment and for publication of the final 
rule. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 44 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial inspection.......................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour           $0         $680         $29,920
                                            = $680.
Recurring inspections....................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour            0          170           7,480
                                            = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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.

[[Page 10316]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2026-05-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23275; Docket No. FAA-
2026-2284; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00071-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 18, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, 
AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in 
any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5510, Horizontal 
stabilizer structure.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of the loss of the horizontal 
stabilizer during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the 
loss of the horizontal stabilizer on certain helicopters. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in the 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 (EASA) 
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E, dated January 22, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 
2026-0015-E).

(h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E

    (1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E requires compliance in 
terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (3) Where the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-
0015-E specifies ``check'', this AD requires replacing that text 
with ``inspection''.
    (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E and the 
material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E states 
``contact AH [Airbus Helicopters] for approved repair instructions 
and within the compliance time specified therein'', this AD requires 
replacing that text with ``repair any discrepancy before further 
flight, using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (5) Where the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-
0015-E specifies ``cracks'', this AD requires replacing that text 
with ``cracks, nicks or corrosion''.
    (6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA 
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-
E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this 
AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited for the initial 
inspection.

(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 Carl Franklin, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5291; 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) Emergency AD 
2026-0015-E, dated January 22, 2026.
    (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 23, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-04168 Filed 3-2-26; 8:45 am]
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