2025-10-01: Cabin Equipment/Furnishings

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-10-01 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23035; Docket No. FAA-2025-0211; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00706-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 11, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2, AS350B3, and EC130B4 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2023-0107, dated May 26, 2023; corrected June 2, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0107). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of broken cargo swing frames and the determination to change an existing repetitive inspection threshold. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of a cargo swing frame. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of a cargo swing frame, in-flight loss of load, and consequent damage to and reduced control of the helicopter. (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, EASA AD 2023-0107. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0107 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0107 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0107 defines SC as "swing cycles," this AD requires replacing that text with "sling cycles." (3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0107 specifies that certain procedures may be done by a pilot with correct training and accreditation, this AD requires that those actions be accomplished by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3. (4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0107 states "within the compliance time specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable," this AD requires replacing that text with "within the compliance time specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months and 36 days or 550 SC, whichever occurs first." (5) Where the AMM task, as defined in EASA AD 2023-0107, specifies dye penetrant inspecting the cargo swing installation and frame if in doubt if there is a crack, this AD requires dye penetrant inspecting the cargo swing installation and frame if, as a result of the visual inspection, there is a line having no visible gap or misalignment to determine if the line is a scratch or a crack. Note 1 to paragraph (h)(5): Entering compliance into helicopter maintenance records showing that a dye penetrant inspection was performed improves the accuracy of maintenance records regarding use of dye penetrant inspection dye. (6) Instead of complying with paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0107, comply with the following, "As a result of the actions required by paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0107, if there is a distortion, scratch, hammering mark, or impact mark that exceeds the allowable limit, or any crack, gap, or misalignment, before further flight, remove the cargo swing frame from service and replace it with an airworthy cargo swing frame." (7) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0107. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0107 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (j) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, provided no external cargo or person(s) is hoisted. (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 Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; 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 2023-0107, dated May 26, 2023; corrected June 2, 2023. (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 this 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 May 7, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-10331 Filed 6-5-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P