2025-20-06: Air Conditioning 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: 2025-20-06 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-23159; Docket No. FAA-2025-1106; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01052-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 23, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2100, Air Conditioning System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of airspeed and altitude indication errors. The FAA is issuing this AD to address airspeed and altitude indication errors. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to reduced situational awareness, possibly resulting in a significant increase in crew workload. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements (1) 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 2023-0175, dated October 5, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0175). (2) The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may revise the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual for the helicopter and must enter compliance with this requirement into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 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 2023-0175 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0175 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0175 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0175 states "by incorporating the air conditioning system (ACS) rotorcraft flight manual supplement (RFMS) altitude correction procedure, as defined in appendix 1 of this AD", this AD requires replacing that text with "by incorporating the ACS RFMS altitude correction procedure, as defined in appendix 1 of this AD, into the Limitations section and by adding a visual flight rules (VFR) only restriction to the procedure". (4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0175 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). (5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0175 states "which includes the same content as the ACS RFMS altitude correction procedure", this AD requires replacing that text with "which includes information identical to the information in the ACS RFMS altitude correction procedure, as defined in appendix 1 of this AD". (6) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0175. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0175 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) 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 Aryanna Sanchez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone (817) 222-4058; 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0175, dated October 5, 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 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 November 14, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division,Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-20135 Filed 11-17-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P