2025-04-10: Emergency equipment

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-04-10 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-22968; Docket No. FAA-2025-0212; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00778-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 24, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+/EC635T2+, EC135T3, MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, certificated in any category. Note 1 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with an EC135P3H designation are Model EC135P3 helicopters, helicopters with an EC135T3H designation are Model EC135T3 helicopters, and helicopters with an MBB-BK 117 C-2e designation are Model MBB-BK 117C-2 helicopters. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2560, Emergency equipment. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of emergency fuel shut-off switches on the warning unit getting stuck in an intermediate position or experiencing an untimely change of status. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address a defective switch on the warning unit. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in single or double engine in-flight shutdown, loss of capability to inactivate the fuel shut-off valve, and subsequent inadvertent autorotation. (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 2024-0249, dated December 19, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0249). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0249 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0249 defines "affected part," this AD requires replacing that definition with "Any part-numbered warning unit having a serial number (S/N) identified in the Planning Information, paragraph 12., of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC135-31-55-0001 or ASB MBB-BK117-31-55-0001, each Issue 1 and dated December 19, 2024, as applicable, or having an S/N that cannot be determined." (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0249 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where the "Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)" section of EASA AD 2024-0249 specifies "check," and where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0249 specifies "check," this AD requires replacing that text with "inspection" or "inspect," as applicable. (4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0249, specifies "From the effective date of this AD, before next flight after any of the emergency off switches has been pushed on a helicopter," this AD requires replacing that text with "Following paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0249, within intervals not to exceed 12 months." (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0249 specifies that it can be accomplished by a pilot or equivalent with the correct training and accreditation, this AD requires the actions be accomplished by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3. (6) This AD does not adopt the note in the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0249 that specifies information regarding the pilot accomplishing the once only check (inspection). (7) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0249 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (8) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0249 states "discrepancy, as described in the ASB," and where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2024-0249 states "discrepancy," this AD requires replacing that text with the text in table 1 to paragraph (h)(8) of this AD. Note 2 to paragraph (h)(8): Airbus Helicopters ASB EC135-31-55-0001 and ASB MBB-BK117-31-55-0001, each Issue 1 and dated December 19, 2024, which are referenced in EASA AD 2024-0249, identify configuration information. BILLING CODE 4910-13-P ER07MR25.001 BILLING CODE 4910-13-C (9) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0249 specifies to "contact AH for approved repair instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly," this AD requires replacing that text with "repair the WU in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature." (10) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0249. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0249 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (j) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (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. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov. (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 Zain Jamal, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847) 294-7264; email: Zain.Jamal@faa.gov . (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 2024-0249, dated December 19, 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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov . Issued on February 19, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-03619 Filed 3-3-25; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P