2026-17-05: Cabin Equipment/Furnishings

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: 2026-17-05 Various Helicopters: Amendment 39-23448; Docket No. FAA-2025-3986; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00224-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 2, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all helicopters identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category. (1) Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B, EC225LP, AS 365 N3, and AS332L2 helicopters. (2) Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters. (3) Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. Note 1 to paragraph (c)(3): Helicopters with a Model MBB-BK 117 C-2e designation are Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. (4) Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139, AW109SP, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports that certain rescue hoist assemblies may have been equipped, during manufacturing or maintenance, with a non-conformant overload clutch assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the rescue hoist assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure of the rescue hoist assembly, which could result in injury to a person being lifted or to persons on the ground. (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 2025-0051R1, dated May 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0051R1). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0051R1 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0051R1 refers to March 14, 2025 (the effective date of EASA AD 2025-0051, dated February 28, 2025), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where the definition of affected part in EASA AD 2025-0051R1 refers to "the ASB", for this AD, replace that text with "the applicable original issue of the alert service bulletins listed in Ref. Publications". (3) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0051R1. (i) No Reporting or Returning of Parts Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0051R1 specifies submitting certain information and returning parts to the manufacturer for rework, this AD does not require those actions. (j) 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 requirements of this AD can be accomplished provided that the rescue hoist is not used. (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 Adam Hein, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4116; email: adam.hein@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 2025-0051R1, dated May 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 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 August 14, 2026. Paul R. Bernado, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-17583 Filed 8-27-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P