2025-16-08: Tail Rotor Blades

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: 2025-16-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23106; Docket No. FAA-2024-0765; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00981-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 22, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4 and EC 130 T2 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6410, Tail Rotor Blades. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the determination that fatigue cracks may develop at the root section of a tail rotor blade (TRB). The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracks on a TRB. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in crack propagation, TRB failure, and consequent loss of 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022-0150, dated July 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0150). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0150 (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0150 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0150 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0150. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0150 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits are prohibited. (k) Optional Terminating Action Revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of your existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and your existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include the repetitive inspections in paragraph (g) of this AD is terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD. (l) 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 (m) 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. (m) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact C. Jason Franklin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5291; email: [email protected]. (n) 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 this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0150, dated July 21, 2022. (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 August 1, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-15657 Filed 8-15-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P