Rule2025-19079
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
September 30, 2025
Effective
October 23, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. As published, a reference to a measurement in the regulatory text is incorrect. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 187 (Tuesday, September 30, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 30, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46748-46750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-19079]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1108; Project Identifier AD-2025-00428-R;
Amendment 39-23140; AD 2025-18-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that
published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain Airbus
Helicopters Model AS350B3, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. As
published, a reference to a measurement in the regulatory text is
incorrect. This document corrects that error. In all other respects,
the original document remains the same.
DATES: This correction is effective October 23, 2025. The effective
date of AD 2025-18-13 remains October 23, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 23,
2025 (90 FR 44962, September 18, 2025).
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1108, 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
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (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#a8e9ecdbe8cdc9dbc986cddddac7d8c986cddd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="49080d3a092c283a28672c3c3b263928672c3c">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this 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-2025-1108.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zain Jamal, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847)
294-7264; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c7bda6aea9e9ada6aaa6ab87a1a6a6e9a0a8b1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="265c474f48084c474b474a6640474708414950">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Airworthiness Directive 2025-18-13, Amendment 39-23140 (90 FR
44962, September 18, 2025) (AD 2025-18-13), retains the actions
required by AD 2020-24-07 and mandates an additional modification,
which would constitute terminating action for the repetitive
inspections for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3, EC130B4, and
EC130T2 helicopters. This AD also expands the helicopter applicability,
provides additional requirements for certain helicopters, and prohibits
installing affected microswitches or an affected twist grip with the
affected microswitch.
Need for the Correction
As published, a reference to a measurement specified in the
regulatory text of AD 2025-18-13 is incorrect. Paragraph (h)(8) of AD
2025-18-13 defines a discrepancy as a ``nut torque that is outside
allowable torque limits, or clearance between the support plate
assembly and the washers that is not within 01.mm to 0.3 mm'', whereas
it should state ``nut torque that is outside allowable torque limits,
or clearance between the support plate assembly and the washers that is
not within 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm''.
No other part of the preamble or regulatory information has been
changed; for convenience, the entire rule is being republished.
The effective date of this AD remains October 23, 2025.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0187R1, which specifies procedures
for modifying the twist grip operational logic on helicopters with MOD
074263 installed. EASA AD 2023-0187R1 also specifies procedures for
repetitively inspecting for no marks, residue, or corrosion and testing
the ``IDLE'' and ``FLIGHT'' controls on the pilot's and copilot's twist
grips on helicopters with MOD 074699 installed. Additionally, EASA AD
2023-0187R1 specifies procedures for installing MOD 074782 on
helicopters if an affected microswitch is installed, which would
constitute terminating action for the
[[Page 46749]]
repetitive inspections. For those helicopters with MOD 074782
installed, EASA AD 2023-0187R1 specifies accomplishing a one-time
inspection of the installation of the microswitch assembly of the
engine power control. EASA AD 2023-0187R1 also prohibits installing a
microswitch having a part number (P/N) T3933-3 or a twist grip
containing a microswitch having P/N T3933-3 on any helicopter.
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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by correcting 90 FR
44962, September 18, 2025, beginning at page 44962, column 1 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 [Corrected]
0
2. The FAA corrects Sec. 39.13 by correcting the following
airworthiness directive to read:
2025-18-13 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23140; Docket No. FAA-
2025-1108; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00428-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 23, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020-24-07, Amendment 39-21337 (85 FR 78954,
December 8, 2020) (AD 2020-24-07).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3, EC130B4,
and EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7600, Engine
Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of the of the engine remaining
in idle when the throttle twist grip was turned from the ``IDLE''
mode to the ``FLIGHT'' mode. The FAA is issuing this AD to correct
the failure of one of the microswitches, 53Ka, 53Kb, or 65K which
can prevent the pilot from switching from ``IDLE'' mode to
``FLIGHT'' mode during autorotation training making it impossible to
recover from a practice autorotation and compelling the pilot to
continue the autorotation to the ground. This condition could result
in unintended touchdown to the ground at a flight-idle power setting
during a practice autorotation, damage to the helicopter, and injury
to occupants.
(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 2023-
0187R1, dated March 20, 2025 (EASA AD 2023-0187R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0187R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0187R1 refers to the effective dates
identified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD, this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(i) March 27, 2025 (the effective date of EASA AD 2023-0187R1).
(ii) November 10, 2023 (the effective date of EASA AD 2023-0187,
dated October 27, 2023).
(iii) July 19, 2023 (the effective date of EASA AD 2023-0133,
dated July 5, 2023).
(2) Where EASA AD 2023-0187R1 refers to April 13, 2017 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2017-0059, dated April 6, 2017), this AD
requires using January 30, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2018-26-
02, Amendment 39-19532 (83 FR 66093, December 26, 2018)).
(3) Where EASA AD 2023-0187R1 refers to flight hours (FH), this
AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(4) This AD does not adopt paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD
2023-0187R1.
(5) Instead of complying with the compliance times in Table 1 in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0187R1, this AD requires the
helicopters identified under the Helicopters in Pre-MOD 074699
Configuration column to accomplish the actions required by paragraph
(3) of EASA AD 2023-0187R1 before the next practice autorotation,
within 100 hours time-in-service, or 6 months after January 12, 2021
(the effective date of AD 2020-24-07), whichever occurs first.
(6) Where Table 2 in paragraph (4), Table 3 in paragraph (7),
and Table 4 in paragraph (9) of EASA AD 2023-0187R1 state ``For
helicopters which operate or have operated in salt-laden atmospheric
conditions'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``For
helicopters which operate or have operated in salt-laden atmospheric
conditions, or if it cannot be determined if a helicopter has been
operated in salt-laden atmospheric conditions''.
(7) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2023-0187R1 states
``discrepancies are detected'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``marks, residue, corrosion, flaky varnish are detected; the
values of the insulation test are less than 10 megaOhms; the
microswitch closes in the ``IDLE'' position and does not open as
soon as the twist grip is turned to the ``FLIGHT'' position; or the
microswitch is open in the ``FLIGHT'' position and does not close as
soon as the twist grip is turned to the ``IDLE'' position''.
(8) Where paragraph (9) of EASA AD 2023-0187R1 states ``any
discrepancy,'' for purposes of this AD, discrepancy is defined as a
nut torque that is outside allowable torque limits, or clearance
between the support plate assembly and the washers that is not
within 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.
(9) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2023-0187R1.
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8fcec2c0cccfe9eeeea1e8e0f9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f0b1bdbfb3b0969191de979f86">[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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Zain Jamal, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: (847) 294-7264; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#651f040c0b4b0f04080409250304044b020a13"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="453f242c2b6b2f24282429052324246b222a33">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 2023-0187R1,
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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aaebeed9eacfcbd9cb84cfdfd8c5dacb84cfdf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f4e4b7c4f6a6e7c6e216a7a7d607f6e216a7a">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu. You may
find this 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#80e6f2aee9eef3f0e5e3f4e9efeec0eee1f2e1aee7eff6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2c4d08ccbccd1d2c7c1d6cbcdcce2ccc3d0c38cc5cdd4">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 46750]]
Issued on September 26, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-19079 Filed 9-29-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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