AD 2026-13-04

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 127 (Monday, July 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40867-40870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-13538]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-2551; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00191-R; 
Amendment 39-23386; AD 2026-13-04]
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 H160-B helicopters modified by Supplemental 
Type Certificate (STC) SR00223IB. This AD was prompted by a report that 
several self-locking nuts of the window jettisoning system could be 
loosened by hand due to a non-conformity in the cable kit. This AD 
requires modifying an affected window into a serviceable window. This 
AD also prohibits installing an affected window or an affected door on 
any helicopter modified with STC SR00223IB. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 10, 2026. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain 
publication listed in this AD as of August 10, 2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2551; 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-91, West Building Fifth Floor, Room W58-213, 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2c6d685f6c494d5f4d0249595e435c4d024959"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4302073003262230226d2636312c33226d2636">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>; 
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 
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-2551.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Rivera, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (773) 
412-9048; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9efbecf7fdb0ecf7e8fbecffaeafdef8ffffb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5633243f3578243f2033243766671630373778313920">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

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 modified by STC SR00223IB. The NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on September 22, 2025 (90 FR 45338). 
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2024-0075, dated March 18, 2024 (EASA 
AD 2024-0075) (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 during a maintenance operation, several self-locking 
nuts of the window jettisoning system could be loosened by hand. The 
MCAI further states that the function of these nuts is to hold the 
threaded axis and the associated cable tigh, as part of the passenger 
windows' jettisoning system mechanism. The MCAI also states that 
certain cable kits which are part of the window jettisoning system 
might not be in conformance with applicable specifications. Since FAA 
STC SR00223IB has the same specifications as EASA STC 10080809, it was 
determined that helicopters modified by FAA STC SR00223IB would have 
the same unsafe condition.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modifying an affected 
window into a serviceable window. This AD also prohibits installing an 
affected window or an affected door on any helicopter modified with STC 
SR00223IB. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
jettisoning function of the window. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in the inability to evacuate helicopter 
occupants during an emergency situation.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2551.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from the Citizens Rulemaking Alliance. 
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to each comment.

Request To Issue an NPRM or Justify Forgoing Notice and Comment or 
Delay Effective Date for Non-Immediate Tasks

    The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either 
retain necessary ``before further flight'' and short-interval 
inspection/mitigation requirements in the immediately adopted rule and 
republish any longer-term replacement, configuration changes, or 
recurring actions with longer compliance times as an NPRM with a 30 to 
60-day comment period.

[[Page 40868]]

Alternatively, the commenter suggested the FAA publish an interim final 
rule limited to immediate mitigations and a parallel NPRM for the 
longer-term actions. The commenter asserted the FAA has not adequately 
justified use of the good cause exemption to bypass notice and comment 
and the 30-day delayed effective date.
    The FAA notes the comment was submitted in response to an NPRM for 
which the FAA provided a 45-day comment period. This final rule is 
effective 35 days after its publication in the Federal Register. 
Therefore, the FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.

Request To Comply With the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA revise the 
proposed AD to comply with the PRA if reporting is required or remove 
any mandatory reporting provisions or suspend enforcement until PRA 
requirements are satisfied. If reporting is not required, the commenter 
requested the FAA clarify that in the AD.
    The FAA notes that paragraph (i) of this AD specifies that this AD 
does not require reporting. If an AD were to require reporting, the 
preamble of the AD would include a paragraph titled ``Paperwork 
Reduction Act'' that would provide the applicable OMB control number, 
required PRA statements, and the estimated time to collect the required 
information (burden). Any costs associated with the reporting 
requirement would be included in the Costs of Compliance section in the 
preamble of the AD. Therefore, the FAA did not change this AD as a 
result of this comment.

Request To Make Incorporation by Reference (IBR) Materials Reasonably 
Available

    The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance stated that the FAA's current 
practices for IBR frequently fail to meet the legal and regulatory 
standards for reasonable availability. The commenter called on the FAA 
to guarantee that all IBR materials are easily and freely accessible to 
the public and affected parties for both commenting and compliance 
purposes and to confirm that the AD does not incorporate later 
revisions or materials that incorporate other unavailable documents.
    The FAA clarifies that this AD incorporates by reference EASA AD 
2024-0075, not the manufacturer service information referenced in that 
EASA AD. The FAA posted EASA AD 2024-0075 to the AD docket when the 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register. The material referenced in 
EASA AD 2024-0075 may only be posted before the final rule's 
publication if it is already publicly available or if there is written 
consent from the owner of that material. Additionally, the FAA provided 
notice in the NPRM that the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0075 
will be available in the AD docket after this AD is published.
    1 CFR part 51 requires that the specific version of the material to 
be incorporated by reference be specifically identified and formally 
approved for IBR by the Office of the Federal Register. Once a document 
is incorporated by reference with a specific date/revision, that exact 
version becomes the regulatory requirement. This AD does allow, but 
does not mandate the use of later-approved revisions of the material 
referenced in EASA AD 2024-0075 as acceptable for compliance with the 
required actions. This AD adopts the ``Ref. Publications'' section of 
EASA AD 2024-0075, which includes the current version of the referenced 
material as well as later approved revisions. Referring to EASA AD 
2024-0075 instead of a service bulletin minimizes the need for 
alternative methods of compliance.
    Therefore, the FAA did not change this AD as a result of this 
comment.

Request To Consider Impact on Small Entities

    The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA prepare an 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis that takes into account parts, 
labor, aircraft downtime, and specific small entity impacts. 
Additionally, the commenter requested that the FAA adopt less 
burdensome alternatives for small operators, such as explicit 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) alternatives, temporary ferry 
flight allowances, and flexible compliance intervals.
    The FAA has considered the AD's impact on small entities and 
provides the following factual basis for its Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(RFA) certification.
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, Public Law 96-354, 94 Stat. 
1164 (5 U.S.C. 601-612), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121, 110 Stat. 857, Mar. 
29, 1996) and the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-240, 124 
Stat. 2504, Sept. 27, 2010), requires Federal agencies to consider the 
effects of the regulatory action on small business and other small 
entities and to minimize any significant economic impact. The term 
``small entities'' comprises small businesses and not-for-profit 
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not 
dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000.
    The FAA identified one pharmaceutical preparation manufacturer and 
one nonscheduled air transportation operator that will be affected by 
this AD. Based on the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard 
(displayed in the table below), both entities are large businesses.


                    Small Business Size Standards \1\
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      NAICS \2\ code              Description           Size standard
------------------------------------------------------------------------
325412...................  Pharmaceutical            1,300 employees.
                            Preparation
                            Manufacturing.
481219...................  Other Nonscheduled Air    $25.0 million.
                            Transportation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Sources: <a href="http://sba.gov">sba.gov</a>: Table of Small Business Size Standards. Dun &
  Bradstreet; D&B Hoovers; Retrieved April 29, 2026;
  <a href="http://app.hoovers.dnb.com">app.hoovers.dnb.com</a>.
\2\ NAICS = North American Industrial Classification System.

    If an agency determines that a rulemaking action will not result in 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, the head of the agency may certify under section 605(b) of 
the RFA. Therefore, as provided in section 605(b) and based on the 
foregoing, the head of the FAA certifies that this AD will not result 
in a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. 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

[[Page 40869]]

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, a correction to the revision level of Vision 
Systems Vendor Service Bulletin No. 02-050-015 from Revision 10 to 
Revision 0, a change in the Costs of Compliance section (from 11 
helicopters to 10 helicopters and corresponding cost changes), and any 
other changes described previously, 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 2024-0075, which specifies procedures for 
replacing each affected passenger window with a serviceable window or 
modifying an affected window into a serviceable window, which consists 
of removing and installing a certain part-numbered cable kit. EASA AD 
2024-0075 also prohibits installing an affected window or an affected 
door on any helicopter. 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 applies to Airbus Helicopters Model H160 B helicopters, 
all serial numbers, if modified by EASA STC 10080809 original issue or 
Revision 1, whereas this AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B 
helicopters modified by FAA STC SR00223IB, having a date of issuance of 
the original airworthiness certificate or date of issuance of the 
original export certificate of airworthiness on or before October 3, 
2024.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 10 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify windows (4 per helicopter).....  13 work-hours x $85 per           $3,132          $4,237         $42,370
                                         hour = $1,105.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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:

2026-13-04 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23386; Docket No. FAA-
2025-2551; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00191-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 10, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters, 
certificated in any category, modified by Supplemental Type Certificate 
(STC) SR00223IB having a date of issuance of the original airworthiness 
certificate or date of issuance of the original export certificate of 
airworthiness on or before October 3, 2024.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5630, Door windows.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that several self-locking nuts of 
the window jettisoning system could be loosened by hand due to a non-
conformity in the cable kit. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the jettisoning function of the window. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in the inability to evacuate 
helicopter occupants during an emergency situation.

[[Page 40870]]

(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 AD 2024-0075, 
dated March 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0075).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0075

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0075 refers to its effective date, this AD 
requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0075 requires compliance in terms of flight 
hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2024-0075 defines ``affected passenger window'' 
and refers to ``a Part Number as listed in the MSB and an s/n as listed 
in the vendor SB'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``a part 
number identified in Planning Information, paragraph A.1 Effectivity, 
and a serial number identified in the Appendix: Applicable serial 
number, of Vision Systems Vendor Service Bulletin No. 02-050-015, 
Revision 0, dated January 24, 2024, as applicable''.
    (4) Where EASA AD 2024-0075 specifies ``replace each affected 
passenger window with a serviceable window'', this AD requires 
replacing that text with ``modify each affected passenger window into a 
serviceable window''.
    (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0075 specifies 
``check'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``inspect''.
    (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0075 specifies 
``throw away'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``remove from 
service''.
    (7) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0075 specifies 
``respect the screwing order'', this AD requires replacing that text 
with ``follow the screwing order''.
    (8) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0075 specifies 
``screw the nuts'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``secure 
the nuts into place''.
    (9) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0075 specifies 
``fine tuning the pull-up cables in locked position (finger)'', this AD 
requires replacing that text with ``put the pull-up cables into the 
locked position and make small adjustments to the nuts to ensure cable 
tension and prevent twisting, coiling, or crossing of cables''.
    (10) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0075.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0075 specifies to 
submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b2f3fffdf1f2d4d3d39cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="71303c3e32311710105f161e07">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
    (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 Eric Rivera, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; phone: (773) 412-9048; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2b4e5942480559425d4e594a1b1a6b4d4a4a054c445d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2346514a400d514a554651421312634542420d444c55">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

(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 2024-0075, 
dated March 18, 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b5a5f685b7e7a687a357e6e69746b7a357e6e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c7d784f7c595d4f5d1259494e534c5d125949">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>; 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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#395f4b1750574a495c5a4d5056577957584b58175e564f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b9dfcb97d0d7cac9dcdacdd0d6d7f9d7d8cbd897ded6cf">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on June 18, 2026.
Christopher R. Parker,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-13538 Filed 7-2-26; 8:45 am]
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