2026-14-02: Indication/Recording System

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: 2026-14-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23402; Docket No. FAA-2026-2292; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00043-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 14, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2, AS350B3, EC120B, and EC130B4 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3100, Indication/Recording System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a short-circuit due to foreign object debris or dust inside the lighting and ancillaries control unit (LACU) in a Model EC130B4 helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent this malfunction. This unsafe condition, if not detected and addressed, could lead to loss of the emergency floatation system (EFS) and result in failure of the EFS to activate during an emergency water landing. (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 2024-0018, dated January 11, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0018). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0018 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0018 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0018 refers to its effective date and to July 30, 2021 (the effective date of EASA AD 2021-0168, dated July 16, 2021), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) This AD requires that paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0018 apply only to Group 1 helicopters as defined in EASA AD 2024-0018. (4) This AD does not adopt paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0018. Instead, this AD requires that, during any inspection required by paragraph (1) or (2) of EASA AD 2024-0018, if foreign object debris or dust is found, you must clean the printed circuit board of the control panel. After the modification required by paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2024-0018, the helicopter is a Group 2 helicopter. (5) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2024-0018 specifies to inform all flight crews and thereafter operate the helicopter accordingly, this AD does not require those actions as those actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations (see 14 CFR 91.505 and 14 CFR 135.21). (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0018 specifies to discard parts, this AD requires removing these parts from service. (7) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0018 specifies ensuring the applicable rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) is at the latest update, this AD only requires revising your RFM to the revision specified in the material and not to later revisions (updates). (8) This AD does not adopt paragraph (7.2) of EASA AD 2024-0018. (9) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0018. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0018 specifies to submit information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (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) 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 For more information about this AD, contact Deep Gaurav, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 228-3731; email: deep.gaurav@faa.gov. (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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0018, dated January 11, 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 July 2, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-13977 Filed 7-9-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P