2026-12-12: Door windows

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-12-12 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23382; Docket No. FAA-2025-5026; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00168-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 3, 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 5630, Door windows. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a discovery during a maintenance operation that several self-locking nuts of the window jettisoning system could be loosened by hand due to a non-conformity in certain cable kits. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the jettisoning function of the window. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the inability to evacuate helicopter occupants during an emergency situation. (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 AD 2024-0063, dated March 7, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0063). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0063 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0063 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0063 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where EASA AD 2024-0063 defines "affected passenger window", and refers to "a Part Number as listed in the ASB and a s/n as listed in the vendor SB", this AD requires replacing that text with "a part number identified in the Component Affected section of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB H160-52-20-0001, Issue 001, dated January 25, 2024; and a serial number identified in the Appendix: Applicable serial number, of Vision Systems Vendor Service Bulletin No. 02-050-015, Revision 0, dated January 24, 2024, as applicable". (4) Where EASA AD 2024-0063 specifies "replace each affected passenger window with a serviceable window", this AD requires replacing that text with "modify each affected passenger window into a serviceable window". (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0063 specifies "check", this AD requires replacing that text with "inspect". (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0063 specifies "throw away", this AD requires replacing that text with "remove from service". (7) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0063 specifies "respect the screwing order", this AD requires replacing that text with "follow the screwing order". (8) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0063 specifies "screw the nuts", this AD requires replacing that text with "secure the nuts into place". (9) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0063 specifies "fine tuning the pull-up cables in locked position (finger)", this AD requires replacing that text with "put the pull-up cables into the locked position and make small adjustments to the nuts to ensure cable tension and prevent twisting, coiling, or crossing of cables". (10) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0063. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0063 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (j) Special Flight Permits 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 Eric Rivera, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (773) 412-9048; email: eric.rivera01@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 2024-0063, dated March 7, 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, 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 June 12, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division,Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-13064 Filed 6-26-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P