2025-17-14: Tail Rotor Drive System

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: 2025-17-14 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23124; Docket No. FAA-2025-0752; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00340-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 7, 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 System Component (JASC) Code 6500, Tail Rotor Drive System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of heavy damage on the fenestron due to the loss of the tail rotor (TR) blade, which broke at the TR hub tension-torsion bar. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the tension-torsion bar. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of the TR anti-torque function and consequent loss of control of the helicopter. (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 2024-0113, dated June 13, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0113). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0113 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0113 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0113 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where EASA AD 2024-0113 defines Groups, for this AD, Group 1 also includes those helicopters for which it cannot be determined if maintenance was accomplished using Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) 64-21-00.6-27A or 64-21-00.6-27B, dated earlier than March 5, 2024. (4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0113 specifies "discrepancies as identified in the ASB are", this AD requires replacing that text with, "a discrepancy, which is defined as a crack, nail-sensitive scratch, deformed lamella, broken lamella, mark, circular contact indication (other than those on the first and last lamella of the tension-torsion bar), or the P/N is not written on the first and the last lamella, is". (5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0113 specifies "an aeroplane", this AD requires replacing that text with "any helicopter". (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0113 specifies to discard parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (7) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0113 specifies actions for non-installed equipment or parts, this AD does not require those actions. (8) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0113. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0113 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (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 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. The following provisions also apply to this AD. (l) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Tara Lucas, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3189; email: [email protected]. (m) 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 2024-0113, dated June 13, 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: [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 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 20, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-16761 Filed 8-29-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P