2026-21-09: 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: 2026-21-09 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 39-23498; Docket No. FAA-2026-1326; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00312-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 1, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters, certificated in any category, all serial numbers (S/N) up to 1999; and Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in any category, all S/Ns. Note 1 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with an EC135P3H designation are Model EC135P3 helicopters. Helicopters with an EC135T3H designation are Model EC135T3 helicopters. Note 2 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with an MBB-BK 117 C-2e designation are Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin equipment/furnishings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the cable drum of the rescue hoist assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct cable drums installed on certain rescue hoist assemblies that have been manufactured with a certain plate material that could result in corrosion-induced fatigue of the cable drum. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the cable drum and injuries to human load or individuals 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 (EASA) AD 2025-0055, dated March 11, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0055). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0055 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0055 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0055 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2025-0055 and the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0055 specifies to contact a manufacturer for repair instructions, for this AD repair an affected rescue hoist assembly in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0055 specifies "magnifying glass 6X maximum," this AD requires replacing that text with "4X-6X magnification". (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0055. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0055 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: [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. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; email: [email protected]. (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 2025-0055, dated March 11, 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: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this 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 [email protected]. Issued on October 19, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-21855 Filed 10-26-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P