Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Helicopters

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

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-2026-11818; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00490-R" at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, 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 Michael Yeshiambel, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

The FAA issued AD 2013-01-05, Amendment 39-17319 (78 FR 7641, February 4, 2013) (AD 2013-01-05), for certain Airbus Helicopters (Eurocopter France) Model AS350B3 and EC130B4 helicopters. AD 2013-01-05 was prompted by an MCAI originated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 2006-0337, dated November 7, 2006, (EASA AD 2006-0337) to correct an unsafe condition identified as excessive power consumption of the starter generator, which reduces the engine surge margin and could result in engine failure.

AD 2013-01-05 requires revising the Limitations section of the RFM supplement 29 to reduce the maximum current of the starter generator to 180 amps and installing a placard on the instrument panel below the vehicle engine multifunction display indicating the starter generator reduced limitation: "MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS GENERATOR LOAD = 180A" The FAA issued AD 2013-01-05 to prevent the engine surge margin being reduced, which can result in engine failure and loss of control of the helicopter.

Actions Since AD 2013-01-05 Was Issued

Since the FAA issued AD 2013-01-05, EASA superseded EASA AD 2006-0337 and issued EASA AD 2026-0089, dated May 7, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0089) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the manufacturer revised the applicability to add starter generators having part number 200SGL130Q-4 and to remove certain helicopters equipped with an ARRIEL 2D engine.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-11818.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Airbus Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AS350 No. 01.00.57 Revision 2 and Airbus ASB EC130 No. 04A002 Revision 2 and, both dated April 15, 2026, which specify procedures for installing a placard on the instrument panel below the Vehicle Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD).

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 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 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 revising the Limitations section of the RFM supplement of the existing RFM for the helicopter and installing a placard in the instrument panel to indicate the revised limitation.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 781 helicopters of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 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

The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

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

Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2026-11818; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00490-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by December 14, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD replaces AD 2013-01-05, Amendment 39-17319 (78 FR 7641, February 4, 2013) (AD 2013-01-05).

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3 helicopters, except those equipped with an ARRIEL 2D engine, and all Model EC130B4 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2420, AC generation system.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by the determination that the power drawn by the engines from certain starter generators is above the declared consumption capacity. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the engine surge margin being reduced. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an engine failure and loss of control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

For helicopters with a starter generator having part number (P/N) 200SGL130Q or P/N 200SGL130Q-4 installed, within the next 100 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following:

(1) Revise Paragraph 2, Limitations, of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) supplement 29, page 1 of the existing RFM for the helicopter using pen and ink, reduce the maximum current of the starter generator to 180 amps Max. continuous.

(2) Install a placard, indicating the starter generator reduced limitation: "MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS GENERATOR LOAD = 180A" in accordance with Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AS350 No. 01.00.57, or Airbus Helicopters ASB EC130 No. 04A002 both Revision 2 and dated April 15, 2026, as applicable.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

As of the effective date of this AD, do not install starter generator part number (P/N) 200SGL130Q or P/N 200SGL130Q-4 on any helicopter, unless the actions in paragraph (g) of this AD are accomplished.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although the material referenced in this AD 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: [email protected].

(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 Michael Yeshiambel, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4134; email: [email protected].

(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) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AS350 No. 01.00.57 Revision 2, dated April 15, 2026.

(ii) Airbus Helicopters ASB EC130 No. 04A002 Revision 2, dated April 15, 2026.

(3) For Airbus Helicopters material identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; phone: (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax: (972) 641-3775; website: airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/hcare-services/airbusworld.

(4) You may view this material at 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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected] .

[FR Doc. 2026-21932 Filed 10-27-26; 8:45 am]

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