2026-05-02: Horizontal stabilizer structure

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: 2026-05-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23275; Docket No. FAA-2026-2284; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00071-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 18, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5510, Horizontal stabilizer structure. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of the loss of the horizontal stabilizer during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the loss of the horizontal stabilizer on certain helicopters. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions 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 (EASA) Emergency AD 2026-0015-E, dated January 22, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E). (h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E (1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E specifies "check", this AD requires replacing that text with "inspection". (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E and the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E states "contact AH [Airbus Helicopters] for approved repair instructions and within the compliance time specified therein", this AD requires replacing that text with "repair any discrepancy before further flight, using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (5) Where the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E specifies "cracks", this AD requires replacing that text with "cracks, nicks or corrosion". (6) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited for the initial inspection. (k) 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 (l) 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. (l) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Carl Franklin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5291; email: carl.j.franklin@faa.gov. (m) 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) Emergency AD 2026-0015-E, dated January 22, 2026. (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 23, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-04168 Filed 3-2-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P