2026-16-10: Tail rotor drive shaft

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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2023-25-14, Amendment 39-22641 (88 FR 89568, December 28, 2023); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-16-10 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23440; Docket No. FAA-2026-4644; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00418-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 18, 2026. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2023-25-14, Amendment 39-22641 (88 FR 89568, December 28, 2023). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0144, dated July 19, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0144). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6510, Tail rotor drive shaft. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in the tailboom. The FAA is issuing this AD to address an excessive vibration level on the tail rotor drive shaft. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the tail rotor drive shaft and loss of yaw control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions 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, EASA AD 2024-0144. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0144 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0144 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0144 refers to its effective date, or where EASA AD 2024-0144 refers to November 6, 2023 [the effective date of EASA Emergency AD 2023-0190-E], this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where EASA AD 2024-0144 refers to "checks", this AD requires replacing that text with "inspections". (4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2024-0144 specifies to "contact AH [Airbus Helicopters] to obtain approved instructions", this AD requires replacing that text with "accomplish corrective action 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". (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0144. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0144 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (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 Eric Rivera, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (773) 412-9048; email: eric.rivera01@faa.gov . (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material identified in this AD 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 2024-0144, dated July 19, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this material at 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 August 5, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-16641 Filed 8-13-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P