2025-20-17: Fuselage Miscellaneous Structure

§ 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-20-17 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23170; Docket No. FAA-2025-3431; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01291-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 30, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5320, Fuselage Miscellaneous Structure. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of broken main gearbox (MGB) right hand (RH) center and rear rail support assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the MGB support assemblies. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of the cowling in-flight, which could cause an impact with the main rotor blades and could result in a 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 paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0165, dated July 29, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0165). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0165 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0165 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0165 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where EASA AD 2025-0165 specifies "Flight Hours" in the column heading of Table 1, this AD requires replacing that text with "Hours time-in-service as of the effective date of this AD". (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0165 specifies "if necessary, clean the square housing bearing", this AD requires replacing that text with "clean the square housing bearing". (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0165 specifies to install a "new" part, this AD requires replacing that text with "new (never installed)" part. (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0165 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (7) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0165. (i) 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 (j) 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. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Margot Perez Sosa, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 941-1287; email: [email protected]. (k) 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 2025-0165, dated July 29, 2025. (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 October 9, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-19554 Filed 10-14-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P