Proposed Rule2025-22373
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
December 9, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-05-09, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2025-05-09 requires revising the existing maintenance records by incorporating new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-05-09, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual (MM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICAs) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 234 (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57012-57014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22373]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 9, 2025 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 57012]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-5038; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01035-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2025-05-09, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J
helicopters. AD 2025-05-09 requires revising the existing maintenance
records by incorporating new or more restrictive airworthiness
limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-05-09, the FAA has determined
that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary.
This proposed AD would require revising the airworthiness limitations
section (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual (MM) or instructions
for continued airworthiness (ICAs) and the existing approved
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. The FAA is proposing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 23, 2026.
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-2025-5038; 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 NPRM, 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#28696c5b684d495b49064d5d5a475849064d5d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f8b9bc8bb89d998b99d69d8d8a978899d69d8d">[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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Hein, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316)
946-4116; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#08696c696526606d6166486e6969266f677e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ffefbfef2b1f7faf6f1dff9fefeb1f8f0e9">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-5038; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01035-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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
the proposal 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 NPRM.
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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Adam
Hein, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2025-05-09, Amendment 39-22981 (90 FR 14717,
April 4, 2025), (AD 2025-05-09), for all Airbus Helicopters Model
SA330J helicopters. AD 2025-05-09 was prompted by an MCAI originated by
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union. EASA issued AD 2023-0146, dated July 14, 2023, (EASA AD
2023-0146) to advise that airworthiness limitations and certification
maintenance instructions are identified as mandatory for continued
airworthiness. EASA AD 2023-0146 also advises that Revision 7 of SA 330
J Maintenance Program--PUMA 330 J Airworthiness Limitations 5.99,
Edition 2, date code 06-22, has been issued to specify all service life
limits and maintenance tasks for SA 330 J helicopters and separate the
airworthiness limitations from the Master Servicing Recommendations
Manual (P.R.E.). According to EASA, failure to accomplish these
instructions could result in an unsafe condition.
[[Page 57013]]
AD 2025-05-09 requires revising the existing maintenance records by
incorporating new or more restrictive actions and associated thresholds
and intervals, including any life limits, specified in EASA AD 2023-
0146. The FAA issued AD 2025-05-09 to prevent failure of certain parts,
which if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the
helicopter.
Actions Since AD 2025-05-09 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2025-05-09, EASA superseded AD 2023-0146
and issued EASA AD 2025-0127, dated May 28, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0127)
(also referred to as the MCAI), for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA 330
J helicopters. The MCAI states that new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations have been developed. The FAA is issuing this
proposed AD to prevent failure of critical parts and primary structural
components, which, if not addressed, could result in loss of control of
the helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-5038.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0127, which specifies procedures for
replacing components before exceeding their life limits and
accomplishing all applicable maintenance tasks within thresholds and
intervals specified in the ALS as defined in EASA AD 2025-0127.
Depending on the results of the maintenance tasks, EASA AD 2025-0127
requires accomplishing corrective action(s) or contacting Airbus
Helicopters for approved instructions and accomplishing those
instructions.
Additionally, EASA AD 2025-0127 specifies procedures for revising
the Aircraft Maintenance Programme (AMP) by incorporating the
limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals described
in the specified ALS, as applicable. Revising the AMP constitutes
terminating action for the requirement to record accomplishment of the
actions of replacing components before exceeding their life limits and
accomplishing maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals
specified in the applicable ALS as required by EASA AD 2025-0127 for
demonstration of AD compliance on a continued basis.
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 ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
(CAA) 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, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing
this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2025-
05-09. This proposed AD would require revising the existing MM or ICAs
and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive ALS,
which are specified in EASA AD 2025-0127, described previously, as
incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. See ``Differences Between
This Proposed AD and the MCAI'' for a discussion of the general
differences in this proposed AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
EASA AD 2025-0127 specifies, as individual tasks, replacing certain
components before exceeding applicable life limits, accomplishing
certain maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals as specified
in the ALS, as defined within, and depending on the results,
accomplishing corrective action, whereas this proposed AD would not
because the applicable ALS, along with the FAA regulatory framework,
make it unnecessary or inappropriate to adopt certain paragraphs of the
MCAI.
EASA AD 2025-0127 also requires revising the approved AMP by
incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and
intervals described in that ALS within 12 months, whereas this proposed
AD requires revising the existing maintenance records by incorporating
the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals
described in that ALS within 30 days, and clarifies that if the initial
instance of an incorporated limitation or threshold therein is reached
before 30 days after the effective date of this proposed AD, you still
have up to 30 days after the effective date of this proposed AD to
accomplish the corresponding task.
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 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, the FAA incorporates EASA AD 2025-
0127 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would,
therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0127 in its entirety
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common
terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA
AD 2025-0127 does not mean that operators need comply only with that
section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required
actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is
not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance
Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2025-0127. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0127
for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No.
FAA-2025-5038 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect six helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Revise the ALS........................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $510
hour = $85.
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[[Page 57014]]
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
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2025-05-09, Amendment 39-22981 (90
FR 14717, April 4, 2025); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2025-5038; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01035-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 23, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2025-05-09, Amendment 39-22981 (90 FR 14717,
April 4, 2025).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters,
certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by new and more restrictive airworthiness
limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of
critical parts and primary structural components, which, if not
addressed, could 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 paragraph (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 2025-0127,
dated May 28, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0127).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0127
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0127 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt paragraphs (1), (2), (4) and (5) of
EASA AD 2025-0127.
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0127 specifies ``Within
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved
AMP,'' this AD requires replacing that text with ``Within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD, revise the airworthiness
limitations section of the existing maintenance manual or
instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.''
(4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0127 is on or before the applicable
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0127 or within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0127.
(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been
done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and
intervals, including life limits, are allowed unless they are
approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications''
section of EASA AD 2025-0127.
(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#2b6a6664686b4d4a4a054c445d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6f2e22202c2f090e0e41080019">[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 Adam Hein, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: (316) 946-4116; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d2c292c2063252824230d2b2c2c632a223b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="69080d080447010c0007290f0808470e061f">[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 2025-0127,
dated May 28, 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#27666354674246544609425255485746094252"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c58481b685a0a4b6a4eba0b0b7aab5a4eba0b0">[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#4523376b2c2b36352026312c2a2b052b2437246b222a33"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="88eefaa6e1e6fbf8edebfce1e7e6c8e6e9fae9a6efe7fe">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on December 5, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-22373 Filed 12-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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