2025-25-05: Rotorcraft Flight Control

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: 2025-25-05 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 39-23213; Docket No. FAA-2025-5385; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01589-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 31, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, BO-105LS A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters, including those Model BO-105LS A-3 helicopters with FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR00043RD installed, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6700; Rotorcraft Flight Control. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a crack on the fork lever of the mixing lever assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address any cracks on the fork lever, which could result in failure of the fork lever and consequent 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 AD 2025-0217, dated October 1, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0217). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0217 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0217 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0217 specifies compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0217 specifies "for condition", this AD requires replacing that text with "for missing locking devices, deformation, scratches, scrapes, gouges, missing surface finish, bearing play, bearing roughness, or corrosion". (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0217 specifies any discrepancy, for the purpose of this AD a discrepancy can be defined as any missing components, damage (missing locking devices, deformation, scratches, scrapes, gouges, missing surface finish, bearing play, bearing roughness), or corrosion. (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0217 specifies "In case of any doubts on the result from the visual inspection, create an Technical Event (TE) on WebTEK for further instructions", this AD requires replacing that text with "if there is a line having no visible gap or misalignment, before further flight, perform a borescope inspection on the fork lever to determine if the line is a scratch or a crack". (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0217 specifies discarding parts, this AD does not require that action. (7) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-0217 specifies to report the inspection results to AHD and that the ASB [Alert Service Bulletin] provides instructions which constitute an acceptable method to comply, for this AD, report results directly to Airbus Helicopters within 10 days after accomplishing the inspection required by this AD. (8) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0217 specifies "If the inspection shows no irregular results, proceed with Section 3.B.3", this AD does not require this action. (9) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0217. (i) Special Flight Permits 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 responsible Flight Standards 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: AMOC@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; email: steven.r.warwick@faa.gov. (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 2025-0217, dated October 1, 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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; 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 Pkwy., 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on December 10, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-22848 Filed 12-11-25; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P