Show the full text (4,831 characters)
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: 2026-20-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23481; Docket No. FAA-2026-4657; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00383-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 5, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6500, Tail rotor drive system. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the determination that the tail rotor drive fan wheel and impeller second stage have been incorrectly identified during production. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address incorrect identification of the affected parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, may cause the loss of traceability of the affected parts, which could lead to undetected fatigue failure of the affected parts and 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 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 2024-0127, dated July 3, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0127). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0127 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0127 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0127 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where EASA AD 2024-0127 defines "affected part", this AD requires replacing that text with "tail rotor drive fan wheel having part number (P/N) 704A33691014 amdt [amendment] C and impeller second stage P/N 704A33691015 amdt [amendment] C, and a serial number (S/N), as identified in the Log Card, listed as 'S/N affected' in section 4.5 or 4.6 of the accomplishment procedure of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB AS355-65-00-0001, Issue 001 dated May 27, 2024". (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0127. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0127 specifies to submit certain 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 Andrew Gronau, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847) 294-7378; email: andrew.s.gronau@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 2024-0127, dated July 3, 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 September 24, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-20098 Filed 9-30-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
