Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36080-36083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-12052]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-0006; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00735-R; 
Amendment 39-23379; AD 2026-12-09]
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) 2022-11-
08, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, 
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. AD 
2022-11-08 required incorporating into maintenance records certain 
requirements (airworthiness limitations). Since the FAA issued AD 2022-
11-08, it was 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 (ICAs) 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 July 21, 2026. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain 
publication listed in this AD as of July 21, 2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0006; 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. It is also available at regulations.gov 
under Docket No. FAA-2026-0006.
    <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-2026-0006.

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 to supersede AD 2022-11-08, Amendment 39-22058 (87 FR 
33632, June 3, 2022), (AD 2022-11-08). AD 2022-11-08 applied to all 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, 
AS350D, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2022-11-08 required 
incorporating into maintenance records certain requirements 
(airworthiness limitations). The FAA issued AD 2022-11-08 to prevent 
failure of critical parts which could result in the loss of control of 
the helicopter.
    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 8, 2026 
(91 FR 648). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2024-0133R1, dated June 
27, 2025 (EASA AD 2024-0133R1) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued 
by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union. EASA AD 2024-0133R1 states that new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations have been developed. Additionally, EASA AD 
2024-0133R1 advises that the airworthiness limitations and 
certification maintenance instructions are identified as mandatory for 
continued airworthiness and that AH [Airbus Helicopters] has issued 
applicable ALS revisions to specify new and more restrictive life 
limits and maintenance tasks, which includes repetitive checks and 
inspection requirements.

[[Page 36081]]

    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.
    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.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0006.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from three commenters. One commenter was 
an individual and two commenters were anonymous. The anonymous 
commenters submitted identical comments, and thus the FAA will address 
these comments together. The following presents the comments received 
on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    The individual commenter expressed support for the NPRM.

Request for More Information on Required Actions and Incorporated 
Material

    The anonymous commenters requested further information regarding 
the compliance recording requirement. The anonymous commenters also 
requested further information regarding the airworthiness limitations 
section of the existing maintenance manual (i.e. revision level and 
date) that is to be revised, and how these manuals are to be revised to 
include digital manuals. The anonymous commenters also stated that the 
corrective actions of the proposed rule are not clear and concise.
    The FAA infers that the requesters are seeking clarification on 
recording compliance for the proposed AD. This AD requires revising the 
existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness 
and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable. Once the ALS section is revised, the AD has been fully 
complied with and the life limit or inspection change remains 
enforceable as a part of the ALS. Requiring revision of the ALS, rather 
than requiring individual repetitive inspections, is advantageous for 
operators. It allows them to record AD compliance once when they make 
the revision rather than after every inspection or replacement.
    Additionally, the FAA makes incorporated by reference (IBR) 
material available in the AD docket when the final rule is published in 
the Federal Register, following formal approval of the IBR by the 
Office of the Federal Register. Materials may only be posted before the 
final rule's publication if they are already publicly available or if 
there is written consent from the owner of the IBR material. All 
relevant materials incorporated by reference will be accessible in the 
AD docket on Regulations.gov, which the public can access without 
registration or fees. This AD also specifies instructions for revising 
the maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness by 
incorporating the limitations, tasks and associated thresholds and 
intervals described in the applicable ALS, which applies to either 
paper or digital versions.
    Furthermore, this AD only requires compliance with paragraph (3) of 
the EASA AD, therefore the corrective actions paragraph is not adopted.
    Therefore, the FAA did not change this AD as a result of this 
comment.

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, including the MCAI referenced, this AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the 
economic burden on any operator.

Relationship Between This AD and Other Relevant Rulemaking

    EASA AD 2024-0133R1 specifies that the manufacturer revised the 
ALS, for Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2, AS350B3, EC130B4, and 
EC130T2 helicopters as applicable. The revised ALS for each model now 
incorporates the new and more restrictive tasks and limitations. The 
FAA is evaluating this issue and may take further rulemaking action to 
accommodate these ALS amendments.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0133R1, 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 2024-0133R1. 
Depending on the results of the maintenance tasks, EASA AD 2024-0133R1 
specifies accomplishing corrective action(s) or contacting Airbus 
Helicopters for approved instructions and accomplishing those 
instructions.
    Additionally, EASA AD 2024-0133R1 specifies 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 2024-0133R1 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

    Where EASA AD 2024-0133R1 specifies revising the approved AMP 
within 12 months after the effective date of EASA AD 2024-0133R1, this 
AD requires revising the ALS of the existing approved maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD.
    EASA AD 2024-0133R1 applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350BB, 
whereas this AD does not because that model does not have an FAA type 
certificate.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 963 helicopters of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.

[[Page 36082]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                              Cost per          Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost         Parts cost        product           operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise ALS........................  1 work-hour x $85 per              $0             $85  $81,855
                                     hour = $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

    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 2022-11-08, Amendment 39-22058 (87 
FR 33632, June 3, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2026-12-09 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23379; Docket No. FAA-
2026-0006; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00735-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 21, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2022-11-08, Amendment 39-22058 (87 FR 33632, 
June 3, 2022).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, 
AS350B1, and AS350D 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) 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-
0133R1, dated June 27, 2025 (EASA AD 2024-0133R1).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0133R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0133R1 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 2024-0133R1.
    (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0133R1 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 2024-0133R1 is on or before the applicable 
limitations and associated thresholds as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0133R1 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 
2024-0133R1.

(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 any life limits, are allowed unless they are 
approved as specified in the provisions of the Ref. Publications 
section of EASA AD 2024-0133R1.

(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 Matthew Williams, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4134; 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.

[[Page 36083]]

    (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 2024-0133R1, 
dated June 27, 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 June 11, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-12052 Filed 6-15-26; 8:45 am]
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