2026-08-10: Passenger compartment equipment

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: 2026-08-10 B/E Aerospace Fischer GmbH Medical Seats: Amendment 39-23318; Docket No. FAA-2026-3861; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00003-Q. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 11, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to B/E Aerospace Fischer GmbH (B/E Aerospace Fischer) Medical Seat 230/305 with a part number (P/N) and serial number combination listed in Table 1-affected P/Ns, in Paragraph 1.1 SB [Service Bulletin] Effectivity of Collins Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) SB 9613-005, Issue D, dated December 3, 2025 (Collins Aerospace ASB SB 9613-005, Issue D). (2) These seats are known to be installed on but not limited to: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland (AHD) Model EC135 and MBB-BK 117 helicopters, Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters, and Bell Textron Inc. Model 412 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2520, Passenger compartment equipment. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that certain medical seats that are certified for aft facing (AF) and forward facing (FF) installations have been delivered with an incorrect version of the swivel unit. The FAA is issuing this AD to address an incorrect version of the swivel unit on these medical seats. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in injuries to the occupant during an emergency landing. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions For medical seats identified in paragraph (c) of this AD, before further flight after the effective date of this AD, accomplish one of the following: (1) Install a placard with the words "Do not occupy" on the affected medical seat; or (2) Modify each AF certified swivel unit P/N 9715-1 into an FF and AF certified swivel unit P/N 9715-2 in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions paragraphs 3.1.2 and 3.2 of Collins Aerospace ASB SB 9613-005, Issue D. This modification is considered a terminating action for this AD. (h) Credit for Previous Actions This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Collins Aerospace ASB, SB 9613-005, Issue A, dated August 8, 2024; Issue B, dated October 24, 2024; or Issue C, dated November 13, 2024. (i) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the actions of this AD can be accomplished, provided an affected medical seat identified in paragraph (c) of this AD is not occupied in the FF configuration. (j) 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 (k)(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. (k) Additional Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Brenda Buitrago Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7368; email: 9-AVS-AIR-BACO-COS@faa.gov. (2) Material that is not incorporated by reference can be found at the contact information identified in paragraph (l)(3) of this AD. (l) 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) Collins Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin SB 9613-005, Issue D, dated December 3, 2025. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Collins Aerospace material identified in this AD, contact Collins Aerospace at B/E Aerospace Fischer GmbH Engineering | Helicopter Seating, Mueller-Armack-Str. 4, 84034 Landshut, Germany; phone: +49 871 932 480; email: info.fischer@collins.com; website: collinsaerospace.com. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 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 April 20, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-08003 Filed 4-23-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P