Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17141-17143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06622]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-0008; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01103-R; 
Amendment 39-23304; AD 2026-07-09]
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 H160-B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a 
report of a leak on a gas cylinder within the emergency life raft 
system (ELRS) container assembly due to geometrical gaps between the 
burst disk and the valve body. This AD requires replacing the ELRS 
container assembly and prohibits installing an affected ELRS container 
assembly unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 11, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 11, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0008; 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-2026-0008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Williams, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (316) 946-4134; 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 January 9, 2026 (91 FR 929). The NPRM was prompted by EASA 
AD 2025-0130R1, dated June 16, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0130R1) (also 
referred to as the MCAI) issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Union. EASA AD 2025-0130R1 states 
that an occurrence was reported of a leak on a gas cylinder within the 
ELRS container assembly. Subsequent investigation revealed that this 
leakage was due to geometrical gaps between the burst disk and the 
valve body. EASA AD 2025-0130R1 specifies procedures for replacement of 
an affected ELRS container assembly and prohibits the installation of 
affected ELRS container assembly unless certain requirements are met.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing the ELRS 
container assembly. The FAA also proposed to prohibit installing an 
affected ELRS container assembly unless certain requirements are met. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0008.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

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 2025-0130R1, which specifies procedures to 
replace the ELRS container assembly having Airbus left-hand part number 
(P/N) U256A80A1005 or right-hand P/N U256A80A1006 with a serviceable 
ELRS container assembly and sending an affected ELRS container assembly 
to a Safran Aerosystems repair facility for further corrective actions. 
EASA AD 2025-0130R1 also prohibits installing an affected ELRS 
container assembly on any helicopter unless certain requirements are 
met. 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 specifies sending the affected ELRS container assembly to 
a Safran Aerosystems repair facility, whereas this AD allows sending 
the affected ELRS container assembly to a Safran Aerosystems repair 
facility or an FAA-approved repair facility

Costs of Compliance

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

[[Page 17142]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
               Action                      Labor cost              Parts cost          product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace ELRS container assembly....  2 work-hours x $85 per  no definitive data on          $170          $1,530
                                      hour = $170.            cost of affected part
                                                              or shipment of part.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2026-07-09 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23304; Docket No. FAA-
2026-0008; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01103-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 11, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2564, Life Raft.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a leak on a gas cylinder 
within the emergency life raft system (ELRS) container assembly due 
to geometrical gaps between the burst disk and the valve body. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the leakage of the gas cylinder 
within the ELRS container assembly. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in the failure of the release of the life 
rafts during an emergency landing on water and consequently prevent 
a timely egress from the helicopter, which could result in 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 (EASA) AD 
2025-0130R1, dated June 16, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0130R1).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0130R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0130R1 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0130R1 refers to flight hours (FH), this 
AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0130R1 
specifies to send the affected ELRS container assembly to a Safran 
Aerosystems repair facility, this AD allows operators to send the 
affected ELRS container assembly to Safran Aerosystems repair 
facility or an FAA-approved repair facility.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0130R1.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0130R1 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not require this action.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199, provided there are no flights over water.

(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 Matthew Williams, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4134; 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 2025-0130R1, 
dated June 16, 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];

[[Page 17143]]

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 March 30, 2026.
Christopher R. Parker,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-06622 Filed 4-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T00:50:12.447368+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

7ea5e9f7a67833c91cbfc73287e5eba79873fdbc63d99f5c0751f1ab1d01ef22

Text SHA-256

ec3db90ab80065d8e6a3f7a1108077ae579594f5d04225ba6e93905b2c799451