Rule2025-06560
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 17, 2025
Effective
May 2, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of difficulty moving the locking fingers when applying the jettisoning function of the windows. This AD requires repetitively lubricating the locking fingers of each jettisonable window, performing an operational test, and depending on the results, performing corrective actions. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 73 (Thursday, April 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 73 (Thursday, April 17, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16077-16080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06560]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 73 / Thursday, April 17, 2025 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 16077]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0620; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00020-R;
Amendment 39-23015; AD 2025-08-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. This AD was
prompted by reports of difficulty moving the locking fingers when
applying the jettisoning function of the windows. This AD requires
repetitively lubricating the locking fingers of each jettisonable
window, performing an operational test, and depending on the results,
performing corrective actions. These actions are specified in a
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated
by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 2, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 2, 2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by June 2, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0620; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1a5b5e695a7f7b697b347f6f68756a7b347f6f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fdbcb98ebd989c8e9cd398888f928d9cd39888">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find
the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-0620.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY; phone:
(516) 228-7309; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#11707d746978623f7b3f66797865707a7463517770703f767e67"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="640508011c0d174a0e4a130c0d10050f0116240205054a030b12">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0620; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-00020-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Alexis
Whitaker, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2025-0009, dated January 10, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0009) (also referred to as ``the MCAI''), to correct an
unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. The
MCAI states that occurrences were reported where difficulty was
experienced when applying the jettisoning function of the windows. The
MCAI also states that subsequent investigation revealed that, in some
occurrences, the effort needed to move the locking fingers from the
locking position may be too high.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the failure of the
jettisoning function of the window. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in the inability to evacuate helicopter
occupants during an emergency situation.
[[Page 16078]]
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0620.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0009, which specifies procedures for
repetitive lubrication of the locking fingers on the jettisonable
window systems, performing an operational test of the windows after
each lubrication, and taking corrective actions in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions. EASA AD 2025-0009 also allows installing
affected parts on any helicopter provided that before installation the
part is lubricated and tested.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA about the unsafe condition described
in the MCAI. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining that the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on
other products of this same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD
2025-0009, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result,
EASA AD 2025-0009 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD
requires compliance with EASA AD 2025-0009 in its entirety through that
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in
the regulatory text of this AD. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0009
for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No.
FAA-2025-0620 after this AD is published.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
Where EASA AD 2025-0009 specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters for
applicable corrective actions and instructions after performing an
operational test, this AD requires using a repair method approved by
the FAA, EASA, or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization
Approval.
Where EASA AD 2025-0009 applies to all Model H160-B helicopters,
this AD applies to Model H160-B helicopters with certain jettisonable
windows and parts installed.
Where EASA AD 2025-0009 defines an affected part as a part
identified in the original and any future revision of Airbus
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin H160-05-00-0001, this AD lists the
affected parts by name and part number. The affected parts listed in
this AD are the same as those identified in Airbus Helicopters Alert
Service Bulletin ASB H160-05-00-0001, Issue 001, dated January 9, 2025.
Where EASA AD 2025-0009 prohibits installing an affected part
unless it has been lubricated and tested in accordance with the service
information, this AD does not contain that prohibition. Since this AD
applies to helicopters with an affected part installed, the lubrication
and testing would already be required should an affected part be
installed on the helicopter at a later time.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the jettison windows are part of the emergency evacuation
system, and if the jettison windows do not properly open, a decrease in
evacuation time could occur. Additionally, the initial actions required
by this AD must be accomplished within 3 months, which is shorter than
the time necessary for the public to comment and for publication of the
final rule. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public
comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects nine helicopters of U.S.
registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per hour. Based on these
numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following costs
to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Lubrication of the locking 3 work-hours x $0 $255 per cycle......... $2,295 per cycle.
fingers on each jettisonable $85 per hour =
window. $255 per cycle.
Operational tests of the 3 work-hours x 0 $255 per cycle......... $2,295 per cycle.
jettisonable window. $85 per hour =
$255 per cycle.
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[[Page 16079]]
The repairs needed as a result of failing the operational tests
could vary significantly from helicopter to helicopter. The FAA has no
way of determining the costs to accomplish the repairs or the number of
helicopters that may require repair.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-08-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23015; Docket No. FAA-
2025-0620; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00020-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 2, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters,
certificated in any category, with a part listed in table 1 to
paragraph (c) of this AD installed.
Table 1 to Paragraph (c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer part Airbus helicopters
Part No. part No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilot jettisonable window....... 045-14405-990..... U522A10T1006.
Co-pilot jettisonable window.... 045-14402-990..... U522A20T1008.
Left-hand (LH) intermediate 045-14400-990..... U522A60T1006.
jettisonable window.
LH Sliding door jettisonable 045-14401-990..... U522A40T1006.
window.
Right-hand (RH) intermediate 045-14403-990..... U522A50T1006.
jettisonable window.
RH Sliding door jettisonable 045-14404-990..... U522A30T1008.
window.
LH intermediate jettisonable 045-14774-990..... U522A60T1007.
window tinted glass.
LH sliding door jettisonable 045-14775-990..... U522A40T1007.
window tinted glass.
RH intermediate jettisonable 045-14776-990..... U522A50T1007.
window tinted glass.
RH sliding door jettisonable 045-14777-990..... U522A30T1009.
window tinted glass.
LH intermediate emergency exit Not applicable.... U522A2142101.
assembly.
LH hinge door emergency exit Not applicable.... U522A2122101.
assembly.
RH intermediate emergency exit Not applicable.... U522A2132101.
assembly.
RH hinge door emergency exit Not applicable.... U522A2112101.
assembly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5220, Emergency
exits.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of difficulty moving the locking
fingers when applying the jettisoning function of the windows. The
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the failure of the jettisoning of
the window. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
the inability to evacuate helicopter occupants during an emergency
situation.
(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 2025-0009,
dated January 10, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0009).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0009
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0009 defines ``affected part,'' this AD
defines an affected part as a part listed in table 1 to paragraph
(c) of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0009 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0009 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(4) Where EASA AD 2025-0009 specifies contacting Airbus
Helicopters for applicable corrective actions and instructions after
performing an operational test, this AD requires using a repair
method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch,
FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization
Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include
the DOA-authorized signature.
(5) This AD does not require paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-009.
(6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0009.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0009 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
require that action.
[[Page 16080]]
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#acede1e3efeccacdcd82cbc3da"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d594989a9695b3b4b4fbb2baa3">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 Alexis Whitaker,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY; phone: (516) 228-7309; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fd9c919885948ed397d38a9594899c96988fbd9b9c9cd39a928b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8aebe6eff2e3f9a4e0a4fde2e3feebe1eff8caecebeba4ede5fc">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 2025-0009,
dated January 10, 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e3a2a790a386829082cd8696918c9382cd8696"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dc9d98af9cb9bdafbdf2b9a9aeb3acbdf2b9a9">[email protected]</span></a>; 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, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, 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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fd9b8fd394938e8d989e89949293bd939c8f9cd39a928b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0462762a6d6a77746167706d6b6a446a6576652a636b72">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on April 9, 2025.
Paul R. Bernado,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-06560 Filed 4-14-25; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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