[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52008-52011]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20303]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3986; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00224-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B, EC 225LP, AS-365N3, and AS
332L2 helicopters; all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model
EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+,
EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters; all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland
GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3
helicopters; and all Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139, AW109SP, AW139,
AW169, and AW189 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports
that certain rescue hoist assemblies may have been equipped with a non-
conforming overload clutch assembly. This proposed AD would require
replacing each affected rescue hoist assembly with a serviceable rescue
hoist assembly. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an
affected rescue hoist assembly unless certain requirements are met. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 5, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
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.
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-2025-3986; 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 NPRM, 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:
For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this proposed 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 this material
on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
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-2025-3986.
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:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-3986;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00224-R'' at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
proposal, 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 proposal 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 NPRM.
[[Page 52009]]
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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Adam
Hein, 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 AD 2025-0051R1, dated May 7, 2025 (EASA
AD 2025-0051R1) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition on Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B, EC 175 B, EC 225 LP, AS
365 N3, and AS 332 L2 helicopters, all serial numbers; Airbus
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135 P1, EC135 P2, EC135 P2+, EC135
P3, EC135 T1, EC135 T2, EC135 T2+, EC135 T3, EC635 P2+, EC635 P3, EC635
T1, EC635 T2+, and EC635 T3 helicopters, all variants and all serial
numbers; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK117 C-2, MBB-
BK117 D-2, MBB-BK117 D-3, and MBB-BK117 D-3m helicopters, all variants
and all serial numbers; and Leonardo S.p.A. Model AW109SP, AB139,
AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters, all serial numbers. The MCAI
states the manufacturer of the affected rescue hoists reported that
certain rescue hoist assemblies may have been equipped, during
manufacturing or maintenance, with a non-conforming overload clutch
assembly. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of
the rescue hoist assembly, in-flight failure of the rescue hoist, and
consequent injury to a person being lifted or to persons on the ground.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3986.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0051R1, dated May 7, 2025. This
material identifies the affected rescue hoist assemblies and specifies
procedures for replacing the affected rescue hoist assembly with a
serviceable rescue hoist assembly. EASA AD 2025-0051R1 also prohibits
installing an affected rescue hoist assembly 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.
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 NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2025-0051R1, described previously, as incorporated by
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this AD. See ``Differences Between this Proposed AD
and the MCAI'' for a discussion of the general differences included in
this AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 175 B helicopters,
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC635 P2+, EC635 P3, EC635
T1, and EC635 T3 helicopters, and Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
Model MBB-BK 117 D-3m helicopters, whereas this proposed AD would not
because those models do not have an FAA type certificate.
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 proposes to incorporate
EASA AD 2025-0051R1 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed
AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0051R1 in its
entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular
section in EASA AD 2025-0051R1 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 AD 2025-0051R1. Material required by
EASA AD 2025-0051R1 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2025-3986 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 858 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replace rescue hoist assembly......... 4 work-hours x $85 per $46,573 $46,913 $40,251,354
hour = $340.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators.
[[Page 52010]]
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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:
Various Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2025-3986; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-00224-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 5, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the following helicopters as identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B, EC 225LP, AS-365N3, and AS
332L2 helicopters.
(2) Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2,
EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+
helicopters.
(3) Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2,
MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters.
Note 1 to paragraph (c)(3): Helicopters with a Model MBB-BK 117
C-2e designation are Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters.
(4) Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139, AW109SP, AW139, AW169, and
AW189 helicopters.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin
Equipment/Furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that certain rescue hoist
assemblies may have been equipped with a non-conforming overload
clutch assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the rescue hoist assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in failure of the rescue hoist assembly, in-flight
failure of the rescue hoist, and consequent injury to a person being
lifted or to persons on the ground.
(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 2025-
0051R1, dated May 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0051R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0051R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0051R1 refers to March 14, 2025 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2025-0051, dated February 28, 2025), this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where the definition of affected part EASA AD 2025-0051R1
refers to ``the ASB'', for this AD, replace that text with ``the
applicable original issue of the alert service bulletins listed in
in Ref. Publications''.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0051R1.
(i) No Reporting or Returning of Parts
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0051R1
specifies submitting certain information and returning parts to the
manufacturer for rework, this AD does not require those actions.
(j) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished provided that the rescue
hoist is not used.
(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 Adam Hein, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: (316) 946-4116; 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 2025-0051R1,
dated May 7, 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, 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,
[[Page 52011]]
visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email
[email protected].
Issued on October 21, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-20303 Filed 11-18-25; 8:45 am]
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