Proposed Rule2026-07334
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 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC120B, and EC130B4 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the instructions on how to open the sliding door emergency exit on affected helicopters are insufficient. This proposed AD would require installing additional safety labels. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 15, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20079-20081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07334]
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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. 91, No. 72 / Wednesday, April 15, 2026 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 20079]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-3487; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01261-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2,
AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP,
EC120B, and EC130B4 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a
determination that the instructions on how to open the sliding door
emergency exit on affected helicopters are insufficient. This proposed
AD would require installing additional safety labels. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by June 1, 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-2026-3487; 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#e4a5a097a481859785ca8191968b9485ca8191"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4001043300252133216e2535322f30216e2535">[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, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway,
Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Le, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-5178; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5c373d2834392e3532397230391c3a3d3d723b332a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0863697c606d7a61666d26646d486e6969266f677e">[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-2026-3487; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01261-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
Katherine Le, 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 2025-0159, dated July 24, 2025 (EASA
AD 2025-0159) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition on Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350BB,
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, EC120B, EC130B4, AS355E, AS355F,
AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N and AS355NP helicopters without modification
0720257 installed. The MCAI states a determination was made that the
instructions on how to open the sliding door emergency exit on affected
helicopters are insufficient. This condition, if not addressed, could
hinder the opening of the door during an emergency, possibly resulting
in injury to occupants.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-3487.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0159, which specifies procedures for
installing additional safety labels providing sliding door opening and
closing instructions. This material is reasonably available because the
[[Page 20080]]
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 require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2025-0159, 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 proposed AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350 BB helicopter,
whereas this proposed AD does not because that model does not have an
FAA type certificate.
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-
0159 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would,
therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0159 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 2025-0159 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 2025-0159. Material referenced in EASA AD 2025-
0159 for compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket
No. FAA-2026-3487 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 1,213 helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Install new labels.................... 1 work-hour x $85 per $105 $190 $230,470
hour = $85.
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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,
(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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2026-3487; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01261-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by June 1, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA,
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2,
AS355N, AS355NP, EC120B, and EC130B4 helicopters, certificated in
any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency
AD 2025-0159, dated July 24, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0159).
Note 1 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with AS350B3e designation
are Model AS350B3 helicopters.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 1100, Placards and
Markings.
[[Page 20081]]
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that the instructions on
how to open the sliding door emergency exit on affected helicopters
are insufficient. The FAA is issuing this AD to ensure proper door
operation. This condition, if not addressed, could hinder the
opening of the door during an emergency, possibly resulting in
injury to occupants.
(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 EASA AD 2025-0159.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0159
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0159 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0159 specifies
to ``discard'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``remove
from service''.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0159.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0159 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 responsible 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="e7a6aaa8a4a7818686c9808891">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards District Office/certificate
holding district office.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Katherine Le,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5178; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3853594c505d4a51565d16545d785e5959165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cf7fde8f4f9eef5f2f9b2f0f9dcfafdfdb2fbf3ea">[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 2025-0159,
dated July 24, 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#d79693a497b2b6a4b6f9b2a2a5b8a7b6f9b2a2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f3b2b780b396928092dd9686819c8392dd9686">[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, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 10101 Hillwood Parkway,
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#2b4d59054245585b4e485f4244456b454a594a054c445d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="88eefaa6e1e6fbf8edebfce1e7e6c8e6e9fae9a6efe7fe">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on April 13, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-07334 Filed 4-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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