Rule2026-19758
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 28, 2026
Effective
November 2, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 T2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the determination that helicopter operators received main rotor blades (MRB) that are not certified to be installed on their helicopters and thus, without instructions for continued airworthiness, cannot be properly maintained. This AD requires replacing the affected parts with serviceable parts and prohibits installing the affected MRBs on Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 T2 helicopters. 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 186 (Monday, September 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 186 (Monday, September 28, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61123-61127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19758]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3991; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00365-R;
Amendment 39-23469; AD 2026-19-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 T2 helicopters. This AD was
prompted by the determination that helicopter operators received main
rotor blades (MRB) that are not certified to be
[[Page 61124]]
installed on their helicopters and thus, without instructions for
continued airworthiness, cannot be properly maintained. This AD
requires replacing the affected parts with serviceable parts and
prohibits installing the affected MRBs on Airbus Helicopters Model EC
130 T2 helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 2, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 2,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3991; 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#94d5d0e7d4f1f5e7f5baf1e1e6fbe4f5baf1e1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7233360132171301135c1707001d02135c1707">[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. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-3991.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shailesh Malla, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-5584; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#25564d444c4940564d0b4844494944654344440b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b2c1dad3dbded7c1da9cdfd3deded3f2d4d3d39cd5ddc4">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus
Helicopters Model EC 130 T2 helicopters. The NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on November 18, 2025 (90 FR 51605). The NPRM was
prompted EASA AD 2025-0062, dated March 20, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0062)
(also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that
part number (P/N) 355A11003002 [manufacturer reference 355A11-0030-02]
MRBs were delivered to EC 130 T2 helicopter operators; these affected
MRBs are not certified for installation on Model EC 130 T2 helicopters.
The MCAI further states that a comprehensive set of instructions for
continued airworthiness is not available, thus these MRBs cannot be
maintained properly.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing the affected
parts with serviceable parts and to prohibit installing the affected
MRBs on Model EC 130 T2 helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent MRB failure due to not maintaining uncertified MRBs. This
condition, 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-2025-3991.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Citizens Rulemaking Alliance.
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Justify Forgoing Notice and Comment or Issue an NPRM
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either
provide its justification for finding good cause to bypass notice and
comment procedures and a shortened effective date or convert this
action to an NPRM with an expedited comment period and consider interim
mitigations that maintain safety. The commenter asserted the FAA has
not adequately justified use of the good cause exemption to bypass
notice and comment and the 30-day delayed effective date.
The FAA notes the comment was submitted in response to an NPRM for
which the FAA provided a 45-day comment period. This final rule is
effective 35 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
Therefore, the FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Comply With the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA revise the
AD to comply with the PRA if reporting is required or remove any
reporting provisions until PRA requirements are satisfied.
The FAA notes this AD does not require reporting. If an AD were to
require reporting, the preamble of the AD would include a paragraph
titled ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' that would provide the applicable
OMB control number, required PRA statements, and the estimated time to
collect the required information (burden). Any costs associated with
the reporting requirement would be included in the Costs of Compliance
section in the preamble of the AD. Therefore, the FAA did not change
this AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Make Incorporation by Reference (IBR) Materials Reasonably
Available
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance stated that the FAA's current
practices for IBR frequently fail to meet the legal and regulatory
standards for reasonable availability. The commenter called on the FAA
to coordinate with Airbus Helicopters to ensure that all IBR materials
are easily and freely accessible to the public and affected parties for
both commenting and compliance purposes. The commenter also requested
that this access be documented in the rulemaking record.
The FAA notes that this AD incorporates by reference EASA AD 2025-
0062, not the manufacturer service information referenced in that EASA
AD. The FAA posted EASA AD 2025-0062 to the AD docket when the NPRM was
published in the Federal Register. The material referenced in EASA AD
2025-0062 may only be posted before the final rule's publication if it
is already publicly available or if there is written consent from the
owner of that material. Additionally, the FAA provided notice in the
NPRM that the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0062 will be
available in the AD docket after this AD is published. Therefore, the
FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Supplement the AD Docket With Supporting Data
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA add to the
AD docket the MCAI, service information summaries, the incident data,
and the economic analysis. The commenter also requested that the
comment period be reopened and effective date extended to allow
meaningful participation.
The FAA does not agree. The FAA has assessed and disclosed the
background and basis for this rulemaking in the preamble of the NPRM,
including a discussion of the MCAI that is being
[[Page 61125]]
incorporated by reference, a description of the unsafe condition, and
the FAA's rationale for the required actions. The preamble of the NPRM
also contained the regulatory evaluation, as is the FAA's practice
rather than including it as a separate document in the AD docket. This
information was available to the public during the 45-day comment
period provided by the NPRM. Since the FAA has assessed and disclosed
the basis for this rulemaking in the preamble of the NPRM and the
commenter did not provide additional safety data for the FAA to
consider in its analysis, it is not necessary to provide additional
information in the AD docket.
Request To Consider Impact on Small Entities
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either
provide the factual basis for its Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
certification that the AD will not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities or prepare a detailed initial
regulatory flexibility analysis that considers alternatives (phased
compliance times, extended intervals, or alternative inspection
methods) for small entities.
The FAA has considered the AD's impact on small businesses and
provides the following factual basis for its RFA certification.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, Public Law 96-354, 94 Stat.
1164 (5 U.S.C. 601-612), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121, 110 Stat. 857,
Mar. 29, 1996) and the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-
240, 124 Stat. 2504, Sept. 27, 2010), requires Federal agencies to
consider the effects of the regulatory action on small business and
other small entities and to minimize any significant economic impact.
The term ``small entities'' comprises small businesses and not-for-
profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are
not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with
populations of less than 50,000.
Small Entities to Which This AD Applies
The FAA used the definition of small entities in the RFA for this
analysis. The RFA defines small entities as small businesses, small
governmental jurisdictions, or small organizations. In 5 U.S.C. 601(3),
the RFA defines ``small business'' to have the same meaning as ``small
business concern'' under section 3 of the Small Business Act. The Small
Business Act authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to
define ``small business'' by issuing regulations.
The SBA has established size standards for various types of
economic activities, or industries, under the North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS). These size standards generally define
small businesses based on the number of employees or annual receipts.
The following table provides the SBA size standards for all industries
with at least one entity impacted by this AD. Note that the SBA
definition of a small business applies to the parent company and all
affiliates as a single entity.
Small Business Size Standards
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NAICS NAICS description SBA size standard
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311919................ Other Snack Food 1,250 Employees.
Manufacturing.
481211................ Nonscheduled Chartered 1,500 Employees.
Passenger Air
Transportation.
481212................ Nonscheduled Chartered 1,500 Employees.
Freight Air
Transportation.
487990................ Scenic and Sightseeing $34,000,000.
Transportation, Other.
488190................ Other Support $40,000,000.
Activities for Air
Transportation.
532411................ Commercial Air, Rail, $47,000,000.
and Water
Transportation
Equipment Rental.
532411................ Commercial Air, Rail, $47,000,000.
and Water
Transportation
Equipment Rental.
611512................ Pilot Training........ 1,500 Employees.
621910................ Ambulance Services.... $22,500,000.
721120................ Casino Hotels......... $47,000,000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To identify small entities, the FAA first identified the primary
NAICS of the entity or parent company, and then used data from
different sources (e.g., company annual reports, Bureau of
Transportation Statistics) to determine whether the entity meets the
applicable size standard. The following table provides the estimated
number of small entities.
Estimated Number of Small Entities
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SBA size Number of Number of Percent small
NAICS description threshold entities aircraft \1\ Small entities entities
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Other Snack Food Manufacturing 1,250 Employees. 1 1 0 0
Nonscheduled Chartered 1,500 Employees. 36 47 0 0
Passenger Air Transportation.
Nonscheduled Chartered Freight 1,500 Employees. 1 1 0 0
Air Transportation.
Scenic and Sightseeing $34,000,000..... 4 22 2 50
Transportation, Other.
Other Support Activities for $40,000,000..... 2 2 2 100
Air Transportation.
Commercial Air, Rail, and $47,000,000..... 2 4 0 0
Water Transportation
Equipment Rental.
Pilot Training................ 1,500 Employees. 1 1 1 100
Ambulance Services............ $22,500,000..... 8 60 0 0
[[Page 61126]]
Casino Hotels................. $47,000,000..... 1 1 0 0
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\1\ There are a total of 139 aircraft, of which 9 are identified as foreign owned, 18 are owned by small
businesses, 79 are not identifiable as owned by small businesses, and 33 have no identifying information
available.
Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements
The FAA estimates the low compliance cost for this AD at $106,581
per aircraft and the high cost per aircraft at $319,743. The following
table provides the estimated cost by each affected entity and
corresponding NAICS industry.
Cost of Compliance per Small Entity
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Low cost as High cost as
Category Annual revenue Low cost High cost percent of percent of
revenue revenue
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Scenic and Sightseeing $19,750,000 $1,385,553 $4,156,659 7.02 21.05
Transportation, Other..........
Scenic and Sightseeing 26,180,000 213,162 639,486 0.81 2.44
Transportation, Other..........
Other Support Activities for Air 250,000 106,581 319,743 42.63 127.90
Transportation.................
Other Support Activities for Air 3,800,000 106,581 319,743 2.80 8.41
Transportation.................
Pilot Training.................. 1,550,000 106,581 319,743 6.88 20.63
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Significant Alternatives Considered
The FAA evaluated the alternative of not promulgating this AD but
ultimately deemed that this alternative would create a significant
safety hazard. This AD was prompted by reports that MRBs not certified
for installation on Model EC 130 T2 helicopters were delivered to EC
130 T2 helicopter operators. Because a comprehensive set of
instructions for continued airworthiness is not available, these MRBs
cannot be maintained properly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
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 reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0062, which specifies procedures for
replacing the affected MRBs with serviceable MRBs P/N 355A11003004
[manufacturer reference 355A11-0030-04]. EASA AD 2025-0062 also
prohibits the installation of the affected MRB on a 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 139 helicopters of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD. The
FAA has no data to determine the number of helicopters that might need
to replace the MRB.
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace MRB (up to three per 1 work-hour x $85 $106,496 (per MRB) $106,581 (per $14,814,759
helicopter). per hour = $85 MRB), $319,743 (minimum 1 MRB
(per MRB). (up to three per helicopter),
MRBs). $44,444,277
(maximum three
MRBs per
helicopter).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The FAA estimated that affected operators will incur $85 in costs per labor hour, which is the weighted
average fiscal year (FY) 2026 fully loaded wage of an aircraft mechanic ($69.85) working 60 percent of the
labor hours and a general and operations manager ($108.15) working 40 percent of the labor hours. The FAA
estimated these wages by taking the average of the FY 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) air transportation
industry average wage for aircraft mechanics and general and operations managers (See: Occupational Employment
and Wage Statistics Query System, BLS (May 2024), <a href="http://data.bls.gov/oes/">data.bls.gov/oes/</a>); multiplying each wage by a fringe
benefit factor of 1.42 (See: Employer Cost for Employee Compensation--December 2024, BLS (2024), <a href="http://bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_03142025.pdf">bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_03142025.pdf</a>), and adjusting these 2024 wages to 2026 dollars using an implicit
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Price Deflator of 2.8 percent (See: Gross Domestic Product: Implicit Price
Deflator, FRED (2026) <a href="http://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPDEF">fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPDEF</a>).
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.
[[Page 61127]]
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2026-19-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23469; Docket No. FAA-
2025-3991; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00365-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 2, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 T2
helicopters, certificated in any category, that were delivered
before September 23, 2024.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6210, Main rotor
blades.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the determination that helicopter
operators received main rotor blades (MRB) that are not certified to
be installed on their helicopters and thus, without instructions for
continued airworthiness, cannot be properly maintained. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent MRB failure due to not maintaining
uncertified MRBs, 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) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2025-0062,
dated March 20, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0062).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0062
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0062 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0062 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0062.
(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#20616d6f63604641410e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="21606c6e62614740400f464e57">[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 Shailesh Malla,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5584; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4a39222b23262f392264272b26262b0a2c2b2b642d253c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c7f646d6560697f6422616d60606d4c6a6d6d226b637a">[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 2025-0062,
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#93d2d7e0d3f6f2e0f2bdf6e6e1fce3f2bdf6e6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a1e0e5d2e1c4c0d2c08fc4d4d3ced1c08fc4d4">[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#5234207c3b3c21223731263b3d3c123c3320337c353d24"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f29480dc9b9c81829791869b9d9cb29c938093dc959d84">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 16, 2026.
Hollister B. Thorson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19758 Filed 9-25-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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