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 AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC120B, and EC130B4 helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2026 (91 FR 20079). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0159, dated July 24, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0159) (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 a determination was made that the instructions on how to open the sliding door emergency exit on affected helicopters are insufficient.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require installing additional safety labels or replacing existing safety labels, as applicable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-3487.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received comments from one individual commenter. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Establish a Pre-Order Process for Safety-Label Kits

The individual commenter requested that the FAA establish a procedure or policy for operators to pre-order the required safety-label kits before the effective date of the proposed AD. The commenter stated that, because the proposed AD affects many helicopters, allowing operators to pre-order the kits would help avoid supply backlogs and facilitate timely compliance with the AD.

The FAA acknowledges that advance planning and the availability of safety-label kits may help operators comply with this AD more efficiently. However, the FAA disagrees with the request to incorporate a pre-order procedure or policy into this AD. Establishing parts ordering or distribution policies is outside the scope of an AD and the FAA's regulatory authority. Additionally, the FAA cannot unilaterally mandate these procedures, as the FAA is not the state of design for the safety labels. Such a pre-order procedure could be established with the operators working with the design approval holder. Accordingly, the FAA has not changed 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, and any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. ( printed page 62298) 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 2025-0159, which specifies procedures for installing or replacing additional safety labels providing sliding door opening and closing instructions. 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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

The MCAI applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350 BB helicopters, whereas this AD does not because that model does not have an FAA type certificate.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,213 helicopters of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 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,

(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.

The Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: