2025-10-02: Electrical Connectors; and Electrical Power System Wiring

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: 2025-10-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23036; Docket No. FAA-2024-2663; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00200-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 8, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2023-0030, dated February 2, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0030). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 1420, electrical connectors; and 2497, electrical power system wiring. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the identification of missing electrical bonding on additional and optional search lights. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent a lightning current evacuating to the aircraft structure. In the event of a lightning strike, the unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in potential total loss of electrical distribution, with loss of electrically supplied systems, and subsequent 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 2023-0030. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Appendix 4 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. EC225-33A018, dated December 15, 2023, which is referenced in EASA AD 2023-0030, identifies helicopter configurations (right-hand column of the table) by helicopter serial number (left-hand column of the table). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0030 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0030 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0030 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where Note 1 of EASA AD 2023-0030 specifies that a tolerance of +10% may be applied to the calendar compliance time specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0030, this AD does not allow that tolerance. (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0030 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (5) This AD requires replacing text as specified in paragraphs (h)(5)(i) though (v) of this AD. (i) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0030 specifies to "do the electrical bonding", this AD requires replacing that text with "install the electrical bonding braid". (ii) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0030 specifies to "bond the labels '741VN' and '742VN' of the set of labels (8) as close as possible from the equipment (SECTION A-A and B-B)", this AD requires replacing that text with "apply labels '741VN' and '742VN' of the set of labels (8) directly adjacent to the grounding point as depicted in Figure 6, Section A-A and Section B-B". (iii) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0030 specifies to "remove and keep" this AD requires replacing that text with "remove". (iv) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0030 specifies to "locate the hole (A) in accordance to the position", this AD requires replacing that text with "determine the position of hole (A) in Figure 4, Detail B". (v) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0030 specifies to paint strip the hole on "the both face", this AD requires replacing that text with "each side". (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0030 specifies to do a continuity test, if the insulation resistance value is 8 or more ohms as a result of the continuity test, this AD requires, before further flight, accomplishing corrective action in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (7) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0030. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0030 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (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)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed 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) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kurt Ladendorf, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5254; email: [email protected] . (2) For Airbus Helicopters material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; phone: (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax: (972) 641-3775; website: airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/hcare-services/airbusworld . (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 2023-0030, dated February 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 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 Pkwy., 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 20, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-10032 Filed 6-2-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P