2025-17-02: Emergency Flotation Section

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: 2025-17-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23112; Docket No. FAA-2025-0615; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00990-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 26, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B, EC 130 B4, and EC 130 T2 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3212, Emergency Flotation Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a missing retaining ring between the supply hose and the central supply coupling of an emergency flotation system (EFS) inflation assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address a missing EFS inflation assembly retaining ring. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in improper inflation of the EFS, immediate capsizing of the helicopter, and subsequent prevention of the evacuation of occupants. (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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2023-0166, dated August 25, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0166). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0166 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0166 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0166 defines "the Vendor SB", for this AD, operators must use Safran Aerosystems Service Bulletin 025-69-42, Revision 00, dated June 13, 2023. (3) Where EASA AD 2023-0166 defines the "affected part", this AD requires replacing "the ASB (as defined in this AD)" and "the ASB" with "Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB EC120-25-40-0001 and ASB EC130-25-40-0001, each Issue 001 and dated July 12, 2023, as applicable". (4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0166 states "At the time of next removal of the EFS from the helicopter or within 19 months, whichever occurs first", this AD requires replacing that text with "Within 19 months". (5) Where the ASB, as defined and referenced in EASA AD 2023-0166, specifies sending parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (6) Where the Vendor SB, referenced in the ASB, as defined and referenced in EASA AD 2023-0166, specifies that its procedures must be performed by the Safran Aerosystems repair network or by staff able to perform the float maintenance in accordance with applicable maintenance documentation, this AD requires that those procedures be accomplished by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3. (7) Where the Vendor SB, referenced in the ASB, as defined and referenced in EASA AD 2023-0166, specifies discarding adhesive tape, this AD requires removing the adhesive tape from service. (8) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0166. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0166 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (j) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the actions required by this AD can be accomplished, provided it is a non-revenue and no passenger flight and without flight over water. (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: 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 Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202) 975-4867; email: alexis.j.whitaker@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 this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0166, dated August 25, 2023. (ii) Safran Aerosystems Service Bulletin 025-69-42, Revision 00, dated June 13, 2023. (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) For Safran Aerosystems material identified in this AD, contact Safran Aerosystems, Floats & Rafts, 58 rue de Segonzac-B.P. 81, 16103 Cognac Cedex, France; phone: +33 5 45 83 20 20; email: technical.retrofit.sao@safrangroup.com; website: www.safran-aerosystems.com/customers. (5) 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. (6) 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 August 14, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-16083 Filed 8-21-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P