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Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of disbonding of the stain...

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 1 (Friday, January 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14-16]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-24182]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0612; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00935-R; 
Amendment 39-23214; AD 2025-25-06]
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 all 
Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by reports of disbonding of the stainless steel leading edge 
protection of certain part-numbered main rotor blades (MRB). This AD 
requires repetitively tap inspecting the MRB and, depending on the 
results, repairing or replacing the MRB. This AD also prohibits 
installing those MRB unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 6, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 6, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0612; 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#4c0d083f0c292d3f2d6229393e233c2d622939"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d69792a596b3b7a5b7f8b3a3a4b9a6b7f8b3a3">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>; 
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this 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-2025-0612.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zain Jamal, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847) 
294-7264; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cbb1aaa2a5e5a1aaa6aaa78badaaaae5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a302b232464202b272b260a2c2b2b642d253c">[email&#160;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 all Airbus Helicopters 
Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on April 7, 2025 (90 FR 14922). The NPRM was prompted 
by AD 2023-0155, dated July 31, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0155) (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 reports were 
received of the stainless steel leading edge protection disbonding on 
certain part-numbered MRBs. This condition, if not detected and 
addressed, could result in significant unbalance of the main rotor, a 
high level of vibration, failure of the main rotor and main gearbox, 
and consequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively tap 
inspecting the MRB and, depending on the results, repairing or 
replacing the MRB. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to prohibit 
installing those MRB unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0612.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from an anonymous commenter who requested 
the FAA take into consideration the community, operator, and 
environmental impact when issuing an AD. The commenter made several 
other comments not specific to this AD, such as systemic and social-
justice recommendations, which were out of scope of this AD. The 
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to the comments.

Request for Relief on Inspection Frequency and Cost Burden

    The commenter requested the FAA consider using a tiered or risk-
based inspection interval for low-utilization or community-serving 
operators. The commenter also requested that the FAA provide guidance 
for financial assistance to those disproportionally affected by ADs. 
The commenter stated that MRB inspections and MRB repair or replacement 
impose substantial labor and financial costs, especially on small 
operators and public sector agencies. The commenter requested the FAA 
consider cost offsets or grants for public-benefit entities.
    The FAA disagrees with the commenter. The NPRM requires a tap 
inspection, which takes an hour to complete. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address an unsafe condition on the Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G 
and SA342J helicopters. Changing the inspection interval for low-
utilization operators or public sector agencies does not address this 
unsafe condition because the FAA would be allowing higher risk to the 
flying public by allowing low-utilization operators or public sector 
agencies to have different inspection intervals that could allow the 
unsafe condition to remain on the helicopter for an unacceptable amount 
of time. The NPRM originally included the cost to replace these blades 
at $168,449 per blade. However, FAA revised the estimated cost of this 
final rule to reflect the repair cost, since it was determined that 
most operators have elected to repair their blades instead of replacing 
them with new blades. The repair cost is significantly less burdensome 
than the replacement cost and would not impose substantial labor and 
financial costs on small operators and public sector agencies.
    Additionally, the FAA is unable to offer guidance on financial 
assistance for those impacted by this AD because that is outside the 
scope of an FAA AD response. No changes were made to this AD as a 
result of this comment.

Request for Worker Protection and Training

    The commenter requested that all inspections and repairs be done by 
a unionized or properly certified mechanic. The commenter stated the 
FAA should require transparency in

[[Page 15]]

labor practices and support ongoing worker safety training.
    The FAA acknowledges the commenter's concern. FAA regulations 
stipulate who can perform AD related inspections and repairs on U.S.-
registered aircraft. No changes were made to this AD as a result of 
this comment.

Request for Compliance Flexibility for Critical Services

    The commenter requested that critical service operators (e.g., air 
ambulances, disaster relief) should have temporary compliance waivers 
or rapid repair authorizations when public safety is at stake, with 
oversight to prevent abuse.
    The FAA acknowledges the commenter's concern. An operator can 
request an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) for relief by using 
the process in paragraph (j) of this AD. No changes were made to this 
AD as a result of this comment.

Request for Safety Reporting, Transparency, and Public Access

    The commenter requested that the FAA require reporting and public 
disclosure of inspection findings, repairs, and failures, broken down 
by operator type and geography, to foster accountability and help 
communities advocate for safer air transport.
    The FAA partially agrees. For Part 121 operators, reports of 
certain failure, malfunction, or defect can be submitted and searched 
on the service difficulty reporting (SDR) system site. The FAA-EASA 
Technical Implementation Procedures (TIP) define the ongoing 
obligations of both authorities to share relevant airworthiness and 
safety-related information. Under the TIP, the FAA and EASA have 
developed procedures to exchange data on airworthiness standards, 
certification systems, and emerging safety concerns; identify and 
evaluate safety issues early; and agree on actions to address those 
concerns in order to maintain continued confidence in each other's 
systems. Findings from surveillance and audits are shared, and both 
parties commit to timely communication of safety and airworthiness 
information. The commenter's request to require reporting and disclose 
inspection findings, repairs, and failures to the public goes beyond 
the FAA-EASA TIP agreement and the scope of this AD. No changes were 
made to this AD as a result of this comment.

Request for Environmental and Community Impact Assessment

    The commenter requested that the FAA assess the environmental 
impact of increased MRB replacements, especially regarding disposal of 
hazardous composites and metals. The commenter stated that the FAA 
should require operators to recycle or safely dispose of MRBs, and 
encourage development of greener rotor blade materials and repair 
techniques.
    The FAA acknowledges the commenter's concern. However, the FAA 
advises that this AD allows for operators to either repair or replace 
the MRB as a corrective action. As stated above, most operators have 
elected to repair the MRB.
    Additionally, in accordance with 14 CFR 39.5, the FAA issues an AD 
when an unsafe condition exists on an aircraft and the condition is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. 
Mandating how operators dispose of parts removed from an aircraft does 
not address the unsafe condition. Further, an AD specifies the actions 
that must be taken to resolve the unsafe condition. Any actions 
required beyond that may create an unnecessary burden on operators. No 
changes were made to this AD as a result of this comment.

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 2023-0155, which specifies procedures for 
repetitively tap inspecting the stainless steel leading edge protection 
of the MRB having part number (P/N) 341A11-0040-00, P/N 341A11-0040-01, 
P/N 341A11-0040-02, P/N 341A11-0040-03 or P/N 341A11-0040-04 for 
disbonding. If disbonding is found, EASA 2023-0155 specifies repairing 
or replacing the MRB. EASA AD 2023-0155 also prohibits installing an 
affected MRB unless certain requirements are met. 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 63 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per hour. Based on these 
numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
    Tap inspecting the MRB for disbonding takes 1 work-hour for an 
estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $5,355 for the U.S. fleet, per 
inspection cycle.
    Repair of the MRB takes 1 work-hour and parts cost of $17,500 for 
an estimated cost of $17,585 per blade.

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,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

[[Page 16]]

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:

2025-25-06 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23214; Docket No. FAA-
2025-0612; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00935-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 6, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6210, Main Rotor 
Blades.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of disbonding on the stainless 
steel leading edge protection of certain main rotor blades (MRB). 
The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address debonding of the 
MRB leading edge protection. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in significant unbalance of the main rotor, a high 
level of vibration, failure of the main rotor and main gearbox, and 
consequent 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 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 2023-0155, 
dated July 31, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0155).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0155

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0155 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0155 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where the material referenced in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 
2023-0155 specifies sending removed blade(s) to Airbus Helicopters, 
this AD does not require that action.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0155.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0155 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(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#bdfcf0f2fefddbdcdc93dad2cb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f1e12101c1f393e3e71383029">[email&#160;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 Zain Jamal, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; phone: (847) 294-7264; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#86fce7efe8a8ece7ebe7eac6e0e7e7a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dca6bdb5b2f2b6bdb1bdb09cbabdbdf2bbb3aa">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.gov.

(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 2023-0155, 
dated July 31, 2023.
    (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#c18085b281a4a0b2a0efa4b4b3aeb1a0efa4b4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="77363304371216041659120205180716591202">[email&#160;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#0b6d79256265787b6e687f6264654b656a796a256c647d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f19783df989f8281949285989e9fb19f908390df969e87">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on December 17, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-24182 Filed 12-31-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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