[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8371-8374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03520]
[[Page 8371]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0743; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01764-R;
Amendment 39-23257; AD 2026-03-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-07-
06, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters.
AD 2025-07-06 required measuring the axial play of the rotating
scissors spherical bearings and depending on the results, accomplishing
corrective action and reporting inspection results. Since the FAA
issued AD 2025-07-06 a determination was made that repetitive
inspections for axial play measurements on non-rotating scissors
spherical bearings are necessary. This AD retains all of the actions
required in AD 2025-07-06 and extends the definition of an affected
part to include all serial numbered non-rotating scissors spherical
bearings. This AD also prohibits installing affected rotating and non-
rotating scissors spherical bearings unless certain requirements are
met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 10, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 10,
2026.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 9, 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-2026-0743; 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
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
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.
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-2026-0743.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-5225; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-0743; Project Identifier MCAI-
2025-01764-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 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 final rule 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 final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Steven
Warwick, 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, issued a series of ADs, originally issuing EASA
Emergency AD 2024-0206-E, dated October 22, 2024 (EASA Emergency AD
2024-0206-E), to correct an unsafe condition identified as excessive
axial play of the rotating scissors spherical bearings. To address this
unsafe condition, the FAA issued AD 2024-26-01 Amendment 39-22915 (90
FR 20, January 2, 2025) (AD 2024-26-01), which required a one-time
measurement of the axial play of the rotating scissors spherical
bearings, and depending on the results, accomplishing corrective action
and reporting inspection results.
Subsequently, EASA issued EASA AD 2025-0018, dated January 14, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0018) which superseded EASA Emergency AD 2024-0206-E, due
to the manufacturer issuing revised material, which extended the list
of the affected parts to all serial numbers, reduced the initial
inspection compliance time, and established repetitive inspections for
certain axial play measurements. The FAA did not issue an AD
corresponding to EASA AD 2025-0018.
Additionally, EASA superseded AD 2025-0018 and issued EASA AD 2025-
0040, dated February 14, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0040), which prompted the
FAA to issue AD 2025-07-06, Amendment 39-23008 (90 FR 15306, April 10,
2025) (AD 2025-07-06). EASA AD 2025-0040 stated the manufacturer
revised the applicable material by amending the initial inspection
compliance time and adding reporting requirements when the axial play
exceeds 0.20 mm. AD 2025-07-06
[[Page 8372]]
retained some of the actions required in AD 2024-26-01 and also revised
the initial compliance time, extended the definition of an affected
part to all serial numbered rotating scissors spherical bearings,
extended the reporting requirements, and required repetitive
inspections.
The FAA issued AD 2025-07-06 to address excessive axial play of the
rotating scissors spherical bearings. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in reduced control of the helicopter.
Actions Since AD 2025-07-06 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2025-07-06, EASA superseded EASA AD 2025-
0040 and issued EASA AD 2025-0264, dated November 26, 2025 (EASA AD
2025-0264) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that it has
been determined that the required inspections for axial play
measurements are also necessary for the non-rotating scissors spherical
bearings.
Since the issuance of AD 2025-07-06, the FAA received a comment
from one individual that is outside the scope of this AD. The comment
disposition below specifically explains and addresses this comment.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0743.
Comment on AD 2025-07-06
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to comment on AD 2025-07-
06. The FAA received one comment that was general, did not make a
suggestion specific to the AD, and did not make a request the FAA can
act on. This comment is outside the scope of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0264, which specifies procedures for
measuring the axial play of the rotating and non-rotating scissors
spherical bearings and depending on the results of these inspections,
accomplishing additional inspections or replacing the affected part.
EASA AD 2025-0264 also specifies reporting inspection results to Airbus
Helicopters and prohibits installing an affected rotating and non-
rotating scissors spherical bearing 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, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD retains all requirements of AD 2025-07-06 and also requires
accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2025-0264, described
previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this AD.
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 civil aviation
authority 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, EASA AD 2025-
0264 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD requires
compliance with EASA AD 2025-0264 in its entirety through that
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in
the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as
the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0264 does not mean
that operators need to 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 2025-0264. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0264 for
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2026-0743 after this AD is published.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the affected components are part of an assembly that is
critical to the control of a helicopter. The FAA has no information
pertaining to the extent of excessive axial play of the rotating or
non-rotating scissors spherical bearings that may currently exist in
helicopters or how quickly degradation may occur. As the affected parts
have been expanded to include rotating and non-rotating scissors
spherical bearings, all serial numbers, it is possible an initial
inspection has not been performed on a helicopter where the unsafe
condition exists. This excessive axial play of the rotating or non-
rotating scissors spherical bearings is considered early for these
parts. Accordingly, the initial actions required by this AD must be
accomplished within a time period as short as 30 days for some
helicopters. This compliance time is shorter than the time necessary
for the public to comment and for publication of the final rule.
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Interim Action
The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. If final
action is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects nine helicopters of U.S.
registry.
[[Page 8373]]
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measurement of axial play................ 3 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $255 $2,295
= $255.
Reporting inspection results............. 1 work hour x $85 per hour 0 85 765
= $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
helicopters that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the rotating scissor 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,300 $1,470
spherical bearing. $170.
Replacement of the non-rotating scissor 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = 1,300 1,470
spherical bearing. $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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 2025-07-06, Amendment 39-23008 (90
FR 15306, April 10, 2025); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2026-03-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23257; Docket No. FAA-
2026-0743; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01764-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 10, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2025-07-06, Amendment 39-23008 (90 FR 15306,
April 10, 2025) (AD 2025-07-06).
(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 6230, Main Rotor
Mast/Swashplate.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by report of excessive axial play of the
scissors spherical bearings (rotating and non-rotating). The FAA is
issuing this AD to address excessive axial play of the scissors
spherical bearings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in reduced control of the helicopter.
[[Page 8374]]
(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 2025-0264,
dated November 26, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0264).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0264
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0264 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0264 refers to its effective date, or
January 21, 2025 (the effective date of EASA AD 2025-0018), this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where Table 3 in appendix 1 of EASA AD 2025-0264 refers to
October 24, 2024 (the effective date of EASA AD 2024-0206-E), this
AD requires using January 17, 2025 (the effective date of AD 2024-
26-01).
(4) Where paragraph (7) of EASA AD 2025-0264 specifies to report
inspection results to AH [Airbus Helicopters] within certain
compliance times, for this AD, report inspection results at the
applicable times specified in paragraphs (h)(4)(i) or (ii) of this
AD.
(i) For an inspection done on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 7 days after the inspection.
(ii) For an inspection done before the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 7 days after the effective date of this
AD.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0264.
(i) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(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 Steven Warwick,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; 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 2025-0264,
dated November 26, 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, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on February 4, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-03520 Filed 2-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P