Rule2026-04168
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
March 3, 2026
Effective
March 18, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of the loss of the horizontal stabilizer during flight. This AD requires initially inspecting the removed horizontal stabilizer, inspecting the tightening torque, and measuring the attachment holes, bracket, and tube assembly and if necessary performing corrective actions. This AD also requires repetitively inspecting the horizontal stabilizer while not removed, and if necessary performing corrective actions. This AD also prohibits installing an affected horizontal stabilizer unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10313-10316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04168]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-2284; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00071-R;
Amendment 39-23275; AD 2026-05-02]
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 all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and
EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of the loss of
the horizontal stabilizer during flight. This AD requires initially
inspecting the removed horizontal stabilizer, inspecting the tightening
torque, and measuring the attachment holes, bracket, and tube assembly
and if necessary performing corrective actions. This AD also requires
repetitively inspecting the horizontal stabilizer while not removed,
and if necessary performing corrective actions. This AD also prohibits
installing an affected horizontal stabilizer unless certain
requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 18, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 18,
2026.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 17, 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-2026-2284; or in person at
[[Page 10314]]
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 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#fbbabf88bb9e9a889ad59e8e89948b9ad59e8e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="efaeab9caf8a8e9c8ec18a9a9d809f8ec18a9a">[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-2026-2284.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Franklin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-5291; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7c1f1d0e105216521a0e1d12171015123c1a1d1d521b130a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1e7d7f6c72307430786c7f70757277705e787f7f30797168">[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 using a method listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-2284; Project Identifier MCAI-
2026-00071-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 Carl
Franklin, 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 Emergency AD 2026-0015-E, dated January
22, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E) (also referred to as the
MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters Model AS
332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, AS 332 L2, and EC 225 LP
helicopters. The MCAI states a report was received of an incident where
Airbus Model EC 225 LP helicopter suffered a loss of the horizontal
stabilizer during flight. The MCAI further states due to design
similarity, Model AS 332 helicopters might also be affected. The MCAI
states that EASA considers the MCAI an interim action.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the loss of the horizontal
stabilizer. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the
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-2026-2284.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E, which specifies
procedures for an initial visual inspection of horizontal stabilizer,
part number (P/N) 332A1310XXXX (manufacturer P/N 332A13-10XX-XX) for AS
332 helicopters (where ``XXXX'' or ``XX-XX'' represents any numerical
sequence); and metallic horizontal stabilizers, any P/N for EC 225
helicopters. EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E specifies that the initial
inspection includes removing the horizontal stabilizer from the
helicopter, inspecting the flange for cracks, inspecting the tightening
torque on the nut that attaches the tube assembly and the horizontal
stabilizer, and measuring the ovalization of the attachment holes and
the diameter of horizontal stabilizer internal bracket and the end of
the tube assembly. Depending on the results of the inspections, EASA
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters for
repair instructions.
Additionally, EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E specifies procedures
for repetitive inspections, without the horizontal stabilizer removed,
which include borescope inspecting the horizontal stabilizer for
cracks, nicks, or corrosion and depending on the inspection results,
contacting Airbus Helicopters for repair instructions.
EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E also specifies that an affected part
may be installed on a helicopter, if it is a new part (not previously
installed on any helicopter) and concurrently with the installation,
the part passed an inspection (no damage detected) as required by EASA
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E.
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 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 AD after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E, described previously, as incorporated by
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD. See ``Differences Between this AD
and the MCAI'' for a discussion of these differences.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
Where the MCAI specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters for repair
instructions or corrective actions, this AD requires using a method
approved by the FAA, EASA, or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design
Organization Approval.
[[Page 10315]]
Interim Action
The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. If final
action is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.
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
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E by reference in the FAA final rule. This AD
requires compliance with EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E in its entirety
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that
are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA Emergency
AD 2026-0015-E 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 Emergency AD 2026-0015-E. Material required by EASA
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E for compliance will be available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-2284 after the FAA final rule
is published.
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 separation of the horizontal stabilizer in flight, if not
addressed, could result in the loss of control of the helicopter. The
actions required by this AD must be accomplished within 20 hours time
in-service or 30 days, whichever occurs first after the effective date
of this AD. This compliance time in this AD 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 44 helicopters of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Initial inspection....................... 8 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $680 $29,920
= $680.
Recurring inspections.................... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour 0 170 7,480
= $170.
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.
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.
[[Page 10316]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2026-05-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23275; Docket No. FAA-
2026-2284; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00071-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 18, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1,
AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in
any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5510, Horizontal
stabilizer structure.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of the loss of the horizontal
stabilizer during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the
loss of the horizontal stabilizer on certain helicopters. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in the loss of control of
the helicopter.
(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 (EASA)
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E, dated January 22, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD
2026-0015-E).
(h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E
(1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E requires compliance in
terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-
0015-E specifies ``check'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``inspection''.
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E and the
material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-E states
``contact AH [Airbus Helicopters] for approved repair instructions
and within the compliance time specified therein'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``repair any discrepancy before further
flight, using 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.
(5) Where the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-
0015-E specifies ``cracks'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``cracks, nicks or corrosion''.
(6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA
Emergency AD 2026-0015-E.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0015-
E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this
AD does not include that requirement.
(j) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited for the initial
inspection.
(k) 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 (l) of
this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2564686a66654344440b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f9b8b4b6bab99f9898d79e968f">[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.
(l) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Carl Franklin,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5291; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#05666477692b6f2b6377646b6e696c6b456364642b626a73"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a191b08165410541c081b14111613143a1c1b1b541d150c">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) 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) Emergency AD
2026-0015-E, dated January 22, 2026.
(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#97d6d3e4d7f2f6e4f6b9f2e2e5f8e7f6b9f2e2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9e8eddae9ccc8dac887ccdcdbc6d9c887ccdc">[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#5e382c7037302d2e3b3d2a3731301e303f2c3f70393128"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="abcdd985c2c5d8dbcec8dfc2c4c5ebc5cad9ca85ccc4dd">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on February 23, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-04168 Filed 3-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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