Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19068-19070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-5038; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01035-R; 
Amendment 39-23309; AD 2026-08-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-05-
09, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. 
AD 2025-05-09 required revising the existing maintenance records by 
incorporating new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since 
the FAA issued AD 2025-05-09, the FAA has determined that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires 
revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing 
maintenance manual (MM) or instructions for continued airworthiness 
(ICA) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 19, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 19, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5038; 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, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 
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-2025-5038.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Hein, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 
946-4116; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2025-05-09, Amendment 39-22981 (90 FR 
14717, April 4, 2025) (AD 2025-05-09). AD 2025-05-09 applied to all 
Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2025-05-09 required 
revising the existing maintenance records by incorporating new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA issued AD 2025-05-09 to 
prevent failure of certain parts, which if not addressed, could result 
in loss of control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2025 
(90 FR 57012). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0127, dated May 
28, 2025, (EASA AD 2025-0127) (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 new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations have been developed.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the 
existing MM or ICAs and the existing approved maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5038.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
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 2025-0127, 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 as defined in EASA AD 2025-0127. 
Depending on the results of the maintenance tasks, EASA AD 2025-

[[Page 19069]]

0127 requires accomplishing corrective action(s) or contacting Airbus 
Helicopters for approved instructions and accomplishing those 
instructions.
    Additionally, EASA AD 2025-0127 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 required by EASA AD 2025-0127 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

    EASA AD 2025-0127 specifies, 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.
    EASA AD 2025-0127 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 records 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 this AD, you still have up to 30 days 
after the effective date of this AD to accomplish the corresponding 
task.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects six 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 the ALS......................  1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85             $510
                                       hour = $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

    The FAA has determined that 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2025-05-09, Amendment 39-22981 (90 
FR 14717, April 4, 2025); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2026-08-01 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23309; Docket No. FAA-
2025-5038; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01035-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 19, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2025-05-09, Amendment 39-22981 (90 FR 14717, 
April 4, 2025).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J 
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 and more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
critical parts and primary structural components, 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) 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 2025-0127, 
dated May 28, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0127).

[[Page 19070]]

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0127

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0127 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of 
EASA AD 2025-0127.
    (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0127 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 2025-0127 is on or before the applicable 
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0127 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 
2025-0127.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been 
done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and 
intervals, including life limits, are allowed unless they are 
approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' 
section of EASA AD 2025-0127.

(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 Adam Hein, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; phone: (316) 946-4116; 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 2025-0127, 
dated May 28, 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, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 
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 April 9, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-07171 Filed 4-13-26; 8:45 am]
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