2026-07-09: Life Raft

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: 2026-07-09 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23304; Docket No. FAA-2026-0008; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01103-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 11, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2564, Life Raft. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a leak on a gas cylinder within the emergency life raft system (ELRS) container assembly due to geometrical gaps between the burst disk and the valve body. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the leakage of the gas cylinder within the ELRS container assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the failure of the release of the life rafts during an emergency landing on water and consequently prevent a timely egress from the helicopter, which could result in injury to helicopter occupants. (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 2025-0130R1, dated June 16, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0130R1). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0130R1 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0130R1 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0130R1 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0130R1 specifies to send the affected ELRS container assembly to a Safran Aerosystems repair facility, this AD allows operators to send the affected ELRS container assembly to Safran Aerosystems repair facility or an FAA-approved repair facility. (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0130R1. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0130R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require this action. (j) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, provided there are no flights over water. (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 Matthew Williams, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4134; email: matthew.t.williams@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 2025-0130R1, dated June 16, 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 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 30, 2026. Christopher R. Parker, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-06622 Filed 4-3-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P