2025-25-06: Main Rotor Blades

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: 2025-25-06 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23214; Docket No. FAA-2025-0612; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00935-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 6, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6210, Main Rotor Blades. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of disbonding on the stainless steel leading edge protection of certain main rotor blades (MRB). The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address debonding of the MRB leading edge protection. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in significant unbalance of the main rotor, a high level of vibration, failure of the main rotor and main gearbox, 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 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 2023-0155, dated July 31, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0155). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0155 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0155 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0155 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where the material referenced in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0155 specifies sending removed blade(s) to Airbus Helicopters, this AD does not require that action. (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0155. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0155 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: AMOC@faa.gov. (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 Zain Jamal, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847) 294-7264; email: zain.jamal@faa.gov.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 2023-0155, dated July 31, 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: 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 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on December 17, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-24182 Filed 12-31-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P