2026-19-02: Main rotor blades

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: 2026-19-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23469; Docket No. FAA-2025-3991; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00365-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 2, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 T2 helicopters, certificated in any category, that were delivered before September 23, 2024. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6210, Main rotor blades. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the determination that helicopter operators received main rotor blades (MRB) that are not certified to be installed on their helicopters and thus, without instructions for continued airworthiness, cannot be properly maintained. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent MRB failure due to not maintaining uncertified MRBs, which, if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2025-0062, dated March 20, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0062). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0062 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0062 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0062 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0062. (i) 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 (j) 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. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Shailesh Malla, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5584; email: shailesh.malla@faa.gov. (k) 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 2025-0062, dated March 20, 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 September 16, 2026. Hollister B. Thorson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-19758 Filed 9-25-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P