2026-07-08: Spar/Rib 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: 2026-07-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23303; Docket No. FAA-2025-5039; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00426-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 11, 2026. (b) Affected ADs This AD affects AD 2025-24-04, Amendment 39-23199 (90 FR 56679, December 8, 2025) (AD 2025-24-04). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5531, Vertical Stabilizer, Spar/Rib Structure. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a structural crack in the vertical attachment spar of the tail fin. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the upper fin spar. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to in-flight separation of the upper part of the vertical fin, which could result in 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 (EASA) AD 2023-0154R1, dated July 19, 2024 (EASA AD 2023-0154R1). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0154R1 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0154R1 defines an "affected part," this AD requires replacing that text with "an upper fin assembly having a part number (P/N) identified in the Applicability, Accomplishment Procedure, of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin EASB AS355-05-00-0001, Issue 001, dated July 25, 2023, or Issue 002, dated July 9, 2024, or an upper fin assembly having a P/N that cannot be determined". Note 1 to paragraph (h)(1): MOD 0720098 involves installing a new upper fin that has a reinforced fin spar (P/N 355A14-0522-1751) that is not affected by this AD. Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS355-55.00.18, Revision 1, dated June 6, 2024, contains information regarding MOD 0720098. (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0154R1 refers to August 3, 2023 (the effective date of EASA AD 2023-0154, dated July 27, 2023), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where EASA AD 2023-0154R1 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0154R1 specifies "following the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) amendment as required by paragraph (1) or (2) of EASA AD 2024-0139, as applicable, it is allowed to exceed the temporary reduced Vne during a maintenance flight", this AD requires replacing that text with "following the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) amendment required by AD 2025-24-04, it is allowed to exceed the temporary reduced Velocity Never Exceed (V NE ) during a flight to perform an operational check as specified in 14 CFR 91.407". (5) Where paragraphs (3.1), (3.2), and (3.3) of EASA AD 2023-0154R1 specify "maintenance flight", this AD requires replacing that text with "flight to perform an operational check as specified in 14 CFR 91.407". (6) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2023-0154R1 specifies "if, following the RFM amendment as required by paragraph (1) or (2) of EASA AD 2024-0139, as applicable, the temporary reduced Vne is exceeded on a helicopter", this AD requires replacing that text with "if, following the RFM amendment required by AD 2025-24-04, the temporary reduced V NE is exceeded on a helicopter". (7) Where Note 1 of EASA AD 2023-0154R1 specifies "It is allowed to temporarily remove the RFM amendment and the placard, as required by paragraph (1) or (2) of EASA AD 2024-0139, as applicable, to allow maintenance flight(s) during which the temporarily reduced Vne may be exceeded", this AD requires replacing that text with "It is allowed to temporarily remove the RFM amendment and the placard required by AD 2025-24-04 to allow flight(s) to perform an operational check as specified in 14 CFR 91.407, during which the temporarily reduced V NE may be exceeded". Note 2 to paragraph (h)(7): Refer to AD 2025-24-04 for requirements pertaining to exceeding V NE 110 kts. Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin EASB AS355-05-00-0001, Issue 002, dated July 9, 2024, also contains information regarding exceeding V NE 110 kts. (8) Instead of complying with paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2023-0154R1, if there is a crack as a result of the inspections required by paragraphs (1) through (4) of EASA AD 2023-0154R1, this AD requires, before further flight, removing the upper fin from service and installing upper fin assembly P/N 355A14-0522-1751 in accordance with paragraph (7) and Note 2 of EASA AD 2023-0154R1. (9) Where Note 2 of EASA AD 2023-0154R1 specifies "paragraph (12) of EASA AD 2024-0139", this AD requires replacing that text with "AD 2025-24-04". (10) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0154R1. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0154R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (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)(1) 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) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Yves Petiote, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202) 975-4867; email: yves.petiote@faa.gov. (2) Airbus Helicopters material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; phone: (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax: (972) 641-3775; website airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/hcare-services/airbusworld. (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 this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0154R1, dated July 19, 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 March 31, 2026. Christopher R. Parker, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-06621 Filed 4-3-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P