Proposed Rule2026-03874
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
February 26, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR00223IB. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of various deficiencies on the parts installed on the jettisonable window system. This proposed AD would require removing the jettisonable window and, depending on the removal results, replacing the locking fingers; inspecting and replacing any missing retaining rings; and inspecting the left-hand (LH) side and right-hand (RH) side emergency handle latch covers (covers) and, depending on the inspection results, replacing the covers or reinstalling airworthy covers. This proposed AD would also require performing repetitive lubrication of the locking fingers installed on the windows jettisonable system and repetitive operational tests of the windows jettisonable system after each lubrication. Additionally, this proposed AD would require modifying the helicopter by replacing each cover and would prohibit the installation of certain window aesthetic covers or electrochromic windows unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9506-9509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03874]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-2283; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00077-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters modified by
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR00223IB. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of various deficiencies on the parts installed on
the jettisonable window system. This proposed AD would require removing
the jettisonable window and, depending on the removal results,
replacing the locking fingers; inspecting and replacing any missing
retaining rings; and inspecting the left-hand (LH) side and right-hand
(RH) side emergency handle latch covers (covers) and, depending on the
inspection results, replacing the covers or reinstalling airworthy
covers. This proposed AD would also require performing repetitive
lubrication of the locking fingers installed on the windows
jettisonable system and repetitive operational tests of the windows
jettisonable system after each lubrication. Additionally, this proposed
[[Page 9507]]
AD would require modifying the helicopter by replacing each cover and
would prohibit the installation of certain window aesthetic covers or
electrochromic windows unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by April 13, 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-2026-2283; 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#b6f7f2c5f6d3d7c5d798d3c3c4d9c6d798d3c3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="26676255664347554708435354495647084353">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA
material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. For Mecaer Aviation
Group (MAG) material identified in this proposed AD, contact MAG, Via
dell'Artigianato 1, Monteprandone 63076 Ascoli Piceno, Italy; phone:
+39 0735-7091; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#51323026116d3071392334376c" http: mecaer.com">mecaer.com</a>">caw@<a href="http://mecaer.com">mecaer.com</a></a>; or at <a href="http://mecaer.com">mecaer.com</a>.
<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: Brenda Buitrago Perez, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (516) 228-7368; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bbd9c9ded5dfda95d795d9ced2cfc9dadcd495cbdec9dec1fbdddada95dcd4cd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a68786f646e6b246624687f637e786b6d65247a6f786f704a6c6b6b246d657c">[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-2026-2283; Project Identifier
MCAI-2026-00077-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
this 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
Brenda Buitrago Perez, 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
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2025-0269, dated December 1, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0269) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters if
modified by EASA STC 10080809 up to Revision 2 (inclusive). The MCAI
states there have been reports of various deficiencies involving parts
installed on the jettisonable window system, which include difficulty
moving the locking fingers from the locking position that could cause
the jettison function to fail; missing retaining rings on the jettison
window hinge pins; and intermediate covers found partially detached.
The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent 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.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-2283.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0269, which for helicopters that have
aesthetic cover installation part number (P/N) 6A6H5600A002001XYZ and
electrochromic window installation P/N 6A6H5600A001001XYZ installed,
specifies procedures for removing the jettisonable windows and, if
applicable, replacing the locking fingers, and inspecting and replacing
any missing retaining rings. EASA AD 2025-0269 also specifies
procedures for inspecting the LH side and RH side covers and, depending
on the inspection results, replacing any covers that have discrepancies
with certain part-numbered covers. EASA AD 2025-0269 specifies
procedures for, repetitively lubricating the locking fingers and
performing an operational test after each lubrication for helicopters
that have aesthetic cover installation P/N 6A6H5600A002001XYZ and
electrochromic window installation P/N 6A6H5600A001001XYZ installed.
Additionally, EASA AD 2025-0269 specifies procedures for modifying
the helicopter by replacing the LH side and RH side covers and
prohibits the installation of certain part-numbered aesthetic covers or
certain part-numbered electrochromic windows on any helicopter unless
certain requirements are met.
The FAA also reviewed MAG Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB-A6H-
015, dated November 19, 2025 (SB-A6H-015), which specifies procedures
for inspection, replacement, and lubrication of the locking fingers;
inspection for missing retaining rings and installation instructions
for any missing retaining rings; inspection and replacement of certain
part-numbered covers; and an operational test for the jettisonable
windows system.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have
[[Page 9508]]
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 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 and material 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 require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2025-0269, and the material 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 included in this AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters
modified with EASA STC 10080809, whereas this proposed AD would apply
to Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters modified with FAA STC
SR002223IB, dated October 3, 2024.
Where the MCAI specifies contacting MAG for corrective
instructions, this proposed AD requires using a method approved by the
FAA, or EASA, or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organizational
Approval.
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 proposes to incorporate
EASA AD 2025-0269 by reference in this proposed AD. This proposed AD
would require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0269 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 2025-0269
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 proposed AD requirement is not
limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance
Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2025-0269. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0269
for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No.
FAA-2026-2283 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect eight helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove jettisonable window 4 work-hours x $0................... $340 (per window)....... $2,720
systems (6 per helicopter). $85 per hour =
$340 (per
window).
Inspect retaining rings...... 1 work-hour x $0................... $85..................... 680
$85 per hour =
$85.
Inspect LH and RH covers..... 4 work-hours x $0................... $340 (per cover)........ 2,720
$85 per hour =
$340.
Lubricate locking fingers.... 2 work-hours x $0................... $170.................... 1,360
$85 per hour =
$170.
Perform operational test..... 2 work-hours x $0................... $170.................... 1,360
$85 per hour =
$170.
Modify LH and RH covers...... 2 work-hours x $290 (per cover)..... $460 (per cover)........ 3,680
$85 per hour =
$170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Costs for On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace locking fingers.............. Up to 12 work-hours x $3,520 (per kit)....... $4,540 (per kit).
$85 per hour = $1,020.
Replace missing retaining rings...... 1 work-hour x $85 per Up to $50 (per ring)... Up to $135 (per ring).
hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
[[Page 9509]]
(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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2026-2283; Project Identifier
MCAI-2026-00077-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by April 13, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B
helicopters, certificated in any category, modified by Supplemental
Type Certificate (STC) SR00223IB.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5630, Door windows.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of various deficiencies on the
parts installed on the jettisonable window system. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent 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.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
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 2025-0269,
dated December 1, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0269).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0269
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0269 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0269 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2025-0269 specifies ``perform
one operational test of the window jettisonable systems in
accordance with the instructions of Part IV of the MSB'', this AD
requires replacing that text with ``perform one operational test
(also referred as a functional test) of the window jettisonable
systems in accordance with the instructions of Part IV of the MSB''.
(4) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2025-0269 and Mecaer Aviation
Group Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB-A6H-015, dated November 19,
2025 (MAG SB-A6H-015) referenced in EASA AD 2025-0269 specifies
``new'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``new (zero hours
time-in-service)''.
(5) Where paragraph (8) of EASA AD 2025-0269 specifies
contacting MAG [Mecaer Aviation Group] for applicable corrective
actions and instructions if a discrepancy is detected during the
operational test, and where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-
0269 specifies to contact MAG if a functional test fails, this AD
requires, before further flight, performing these actions in
accordance with a 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.
(6) Where MAG SB-A6H-015 referenced in EASA AD 2025-0269
specifies ``in case of doubt'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``inspect for broken locking fingers''.
(7) Where MAG SB-A6H-015 referenced in EASA AD 2025-0269
specifies ``confirm that no visible damage is present'', this AD
requires replacing that text with ``inspect for damage (any crack,
deformation, wear, corrosion, looseness, elongation, impact mark, or
structural defect)''.
(8) Where MAG SB-A6H-015 referenced in EASA AD 2025-0269
specifies ``scrapped'', this AD requires replacing that text with
``remove from service''.
(9) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0269.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0269 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#581915171b183e3939763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e7f73717d7e585f5f10595148">[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 Brenda Buitrago
Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7368; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a4c6d6c1cac0c58ac88ac6d1cdd0d6c5c3cb8ad4c1d6c1dee4c2c5c58ac3cbd2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aeccdccbc0cacf80c280ccdbc7dadccfc9c180decbdccbd4eec8cfcf80c9c1d8">[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 2025-0269,
dated December 1, 2025.
(ii) Mecaer Aviation Group (MAG) Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
SB-A6H-015, dated November 19, 2025.
(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#fdbcb98ebd989c8e9cd398888f928d9cd39888"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0342477043666270622d6676716c73622d6676">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu. You may
find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. For
MAG material identified in this AD, contact MAG, Via
dell'Artigianato 1, Monteprandone 63076 Ascoli Piceno, Italy; phone:
+39 0735-7091; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ccafadbb8cf0adeca4bea9aaf1" http: mecaer.com">mecaer.com</a>">caw@<a href="http://mecaer.com">mecaer.com</a></a>; or at <a href="http://mecaer.com">mecaer.com</a>.
(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#660014480f0815160305120f0908260807140748010910"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7513075b1c1b06051016011c1a1b351b1407145b121a03">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on February 24, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-03874 Filed 2-25-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 26, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.