2026-04-07: 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: 2026-04-07 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23267; Docket No. FAA-2025-5036; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00748-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 7, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters EC120B helicopters, 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 cyclic flight control restrictions due to the incorrect positioning of the bonding braid on the socket of the pilot cyclic stick, which limited full movement of the pilot cyclic stick during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct the incorrect positioning of the bonding braid on the socket of the pilot cyclic stick. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a cyclic flight control restriction during flight 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 2024-0243, dated December 13, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0243). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0243 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0243 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0243 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0243. (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: 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. (j) 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. (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 2024-0243, dated December 13, 2024. (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 February 17, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-04165 Filed 3-2-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P