2025-18-12: Battery/Charger 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: 2025-18-12 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-23139; Docket No. FAA-2025-0750; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01325-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 29, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0208, dated October 11, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0208). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2432, Battery/Charger System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of momentary direct current (DC) power interruption in flight of both essential busses. The FAA is issuing this AD to address DC power interruption through updated procedures. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the helicopter or reduced situational awareness. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0208. The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for the helicopter and must enter compliance with this paragraph of the AD into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0208 (1) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0208 specifies to inform all flight crews and operate the helicopter accordingly, this AD does not require those actions as those actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations (see 14 CFR 91.505 and 14 CFR 135.21). (2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0208 specifies "the RFM emergency and malfunction procedure, is an acceptable method" this AD requires replacing that text with "the RFM emergency and malfunction procedure, as defined in this AD, is an acceptable method". (3) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0208. (i) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits are prohibited. (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) 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. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (404) 474-5548; email: [email protected] . (l) 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 2022-0208, dated October 11, 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 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 September 18, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-18491 Filed 9-23-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P