2026-05-09: Powerplant/Engine Drains

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: 2026-05-09 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23282; Docket No. FAA-2026-2290; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01833-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 25, 2026 (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7170, Powerplant/Engine Drains. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a broken hose of the draining system in the rear cargo compartment due to hot air leakage from an engine combustion chamber drain valve failure. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the rear cargo compartment hoses. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an uncontrolled fire in the cargo compartment, reduced control of the helicopter, and possible loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements (1) 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 2025-0287, dated December 17, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0287). (2) The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may perform a visual check of both sides of the thermal paper and must enter compliance with this requirement into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0287 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0287 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0287 specifies compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2025-0287 specifies "accomplish a visual inspection of those thermal papers in accordance with the instructions of the ASB", this AD requires replacing that text with "accomplish a visual check of those thermal papers for any colored boxes, and if one or more boxes are found colored, before further flight, a licensed mechanic authorized under 14 CFR part 43 must perform the corrective actions specified in paragraph (7) of EASA AD 2025-0287". (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0287 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0287 specifies "check" this AD requires replacing that text with "inspect", except for the visual check (inspection) of the thermal papers, after the last flight of each day. (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0287 specifies "new", this AD requires replacing that text with "new (never previously installed)". (7) This AD does not adopt "Note 1" or the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0287. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0287 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (j) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (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 Evan Weaver, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 944-8910; email: evan.p.weaver@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) AD 2025-0287, dated December 17, 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 March 2, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-04614 Filed 3-9-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P