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-2026-11814; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00715-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 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 Aryanna Sanchez, 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 2026-0132, dated July 8, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0132) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on all Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350 B3, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, AS 355 N, AS 355 NP, EC 130 B4, and EC 130 T2 helicopters. The MCAI states a report was received of the loss of the tightening torque between the upper ball bearing end and an MR servo-control. The MCAI also states further investigations determined that the presence of paint or protection on the nut retainer (lock-washer) is the root cause for this loss of tightening torque, and that this deficiency may occur on any of the three (forward, left, and right) MR servo-controls installed on a helicopter.

The FAA is issuing this proposed AD to inspect the nut tightening torque of the upper ball bearing end of all the MR servo-controls and, if necessary, accomplish corrective actions. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the disconnection of the upper ball bearing end from the MR servo-control and loss of control of a helicopter.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-11814.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2026-0132, which specifies procedures for a one-time inspection and thereafter, after each removal and installation of an MR servo-control, inspection of the nut tightening torque of the upper ball bearing end of the forward, left, and right MR servo-controls, having a part number (P/N) and manufacturer P/N as identified in Appendix 1 of the MCAI, and the associated nut retainer (lock-washer) having manufacturer P/N 360A27-2121-20 or 365A27-8193-20. Depending on the results, the MCAI specifies procedures for re-inspecting the nut tightening torque and accomplishing corrective actions, including inspecting the threads of the MR servo-control and, if necessary, cleaning them; replacing the ball bearing end; replacing the MR servo-control; or contacting AH [Airbus Helicopters] for approved instructions. EASA AD 2026-0132 also requires reporting of all inspection results.

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 (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 2026-0132, 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

Where the MCAI specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters if an unacceptable value of the nut tightening torque is found, this proposed AD would require performing corrective actions in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

Interim Action

The FAA considers that this proposed AD would be an interim action. If final actions are later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.

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 ( printed page 66021) coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2026-0132 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2026-0132 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 2026-0132 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 2026-0132. Material required by EASA AD 2026-0132 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-11814 after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 980 helicopters of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacements that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of helicopters that might need these replacements:

The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators.

Paperwork Reduction Act

A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

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.

The Proposed Amendment

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2026-11814; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00715-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by December 3, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6710, Main rotor control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a report of the loss of the tightening torque between the upper ball bearing end and a main rotor (MR) servo-control. The FAA is issuing this AD to inspect the nut tightening torque of the upper ball bearing end of all the MR servo-controls and, if necessary, accomplish corrective actions. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the disconnection of the upper ball bearing end from the MR servo-control and loss of control of a helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

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 (EASA) AD 2026-0132, dated July 8, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0132).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2026-0132

(1) Where EASA AD 2026-0132 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where EASA AD 2026-0132 refers to flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.

(3) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2026-0132 and the material referenced in EASA AD 2026-0132 specify to contact AH [Airbus Helicopters] for corrective actions and instructions, this AD requires accomplishing corrective actions in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2026-0132 specifies discarding certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.

(5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2026-0132 specifies “check”, this AD requires replacing that text with “inspection”.

(6) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2026-0132.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the following:

(1) Airbus Service Bulletin AS350-67-30-0002, dated 01 April 2026.

(2) Airbus Service Bulletin AS355-67-30-0001, dated 01 April 2026.

(3) Airbus Service Bulletin EC130-67-30-0001, dated 01 April 2026.

(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: AMOC@faa.gov.

(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 Aryanna Sanchez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (520) 990-9321; email: aryanna.t.sanchez@faa.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 2026-0132, dated July 8, 2026.

(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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: 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 www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.