[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 127 (Monday, July 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40865-40867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-13540]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-3482; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01288-R;
Amendment 39-23390; AD 2026-13-08]
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
certain Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. This AD was
prompted by reports of missing retaining rings on the hinge pins
installed on the jettisonable window systems. This AD requires
inspecting for missing retaining rings on all the hinge pins installed
on the jettisonable window systems and, depending on findings,
installing retaining rings found missing. 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 regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2026-3482; 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:
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 this material on the EASA website
at ad.easa.europa.eu.
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-2026-3482.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aryanna Sanchez, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (520) 990-9321; email: [email protected].
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 certain Airbus
Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. The NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on April 13, 2026 (91 FR 18790). The NPRM was prompted
by EASA AD 2025-0161, dated July 29, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0161) (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
reports were received of missing retaining rings on some of the hinge
pins installed on the jettisonable window systems. Subsequent
investigation revealed that these missing retaining rings had not been
installed in production. This condition, if not addressed, could
prevent a window from jettisoning, which could affect the evacuation of
occupants during an emergency.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting for missing
retaining rings on all the hinge pins installed on the jettisonable
window systems and, depending on findings, installing retaining rings
found missing.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2026-3482.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the 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 2025-0161, which specifies procedures for
inspecting for missing retaining rings on all the hinge pins installed
on the jettisonable window systems and, if any retaining ring is found
missing, installing a retaining ring at that position.
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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 12 helicopters of the U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
[[Page 40866]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect for missing retaining rings. 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $2,040
hour = $170 (108 rings
per helicopter).
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The number of retaining rings found missing as a result of the
inspection could vary from helicopter to helicopter. Installing a
retaining ring costs $50 per ring and requires a minimal amount of
time. The FAA has no way of determining the number of helicopters that
may require installing missing retaining rings.
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:
2026-13-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23390; Docket No. FAA-
2026-3482; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01288-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, as identified in European Union Aviation
Safety Agency AD 2025-0161, dated July 29, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0161).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of missing retaining rings on hinge
pins installed on the jettisonable window systems. The FAA is issuing
this AD to detect and address missing retaining rings. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could prevent a window from jettisoning,
which could affect the evacuation of occupants during an emergency.
(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 EASA AD 2025-0161.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0161
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0161 refers to its effective date, this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0161 defines ``affected parts'', this AD
requires replacing that definition with ``Jettisonable window system
elements identified as `Components affected' and listed by part number
(P/N) and manufacturer P/N in section `Applicability' of Airbus
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB H160-52-20-0002, Issue 001,
dated June 25, 2025, or having a P/N or manufacturer P/N that cannot be
identified''.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2025-
0161.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0161 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: [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.
[[Page 40867]]
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Aryanna Sanchez,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (520) 990-9321; 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 2025-0161,
dated July 29, 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 25, 2026.
Christopher R. Parker,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-13540 Filed 7-2-26; 8:45 am]
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