2026-10-20: Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate

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: 2026-10-20 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-23360; Docket No. FAA-2025-2540; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00158-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 9, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6230, Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of an occurrence of excessive vibrations in-flight due to an incorrect installation of the angular ball bearing of the control ring assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct incorrect installation of the angular ball bearing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in axial play between the swashplate bearing ring assembly and the control ring assembly and consequent reduced 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 2025-0029, dated February 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0029). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0029 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0029 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0029 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where EASA AD 2025-0029 defines "Affected part", this AD adds "including those where it cannot be determined if the 'Supplementary Inspection-4000 FH' has been accomplished on the swashplate" to the end of that definition. (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0029 specifies "check", this AD requires replacing that text with "inspect". (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0029 specifies "Tightening torque inspection of the hexagonal head bolts of the inner ring and outer ring", this AD requires replacing that text with "Tightening torque inspection of the hexagonal head bolts of the inner ring". (6) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2025-0029 specifies "in case of finding any discrepancy during the inspection of the control ring assembly, to accomplish the applicable corrective actions before next flight, or to contact AH [Airbus Helicopters] for approved repair instructions and, before next flight, to accomplish those instructions accordingly", this AD requires replacing that text with "in case of finding any discrepancy during the inspection of the control ring assembly, before further flight, accomplish the instructions or corrective actions in accordance with 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". (7) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0029. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0029 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 responsible Flight Standards 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 responsible Flight Standards Office. (l) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Zain Jamal, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847) 294-7264; email: zain.jamal@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 2025-0029, dated February 7, 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 this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (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 May 19, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-11175 Filed 6-3-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P