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: 2026-21-02 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 39-23491; Docket No. FAA-2026-11805; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00811-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 26, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2100, Air conditioning system. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a louver box assembly detaching in flight due to incorrect installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address and prevent incorrectly installed parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to in-flight loss of parts, which could impact the main or tail rotor, lead to reduced control of the helicopter, necessitate an emergency landing, or cause injury to persons on the ground. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) Before the first flight of each day, accomplish a play check of the louver box assembly of the vapor cycle air cooling system part number (P/N) 117-820014, as depicted in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, by pulling it upward by hand on all four corners. The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may accomplish this play check, and must enter compliance into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. ER09OC26.000 (2) If there is any play found during any check required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight, accomplish corrective actions in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or AHD's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (h) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2026-0152 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (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:
[email protected]. (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 Aryanna Sanchez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-4058; email:
[email protected]. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference None. Issued on October 6, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-20722 Filed 10-7-26; 11:15 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
