AD 2026-04-07

This AD is effective April 7, 2026.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 7, 2026.

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-5036; 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:

• 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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.

• 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 regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-5036.

Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; email: steven.r.warwick@faa.gov.

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 EC120B helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2025 (90 FR 54601). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2024-0243, dated December 13, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0243) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI advises of a report that a pilot experienced several occurrences of a cyclic flight control restriction when turning right during an instruction flight. Subsequent investigation determined that the bonding braid on the socket of the pilot cyclic stick had moved to an incorrect position, which limited full movement of the pilot cyclic stick. This condition, if not addressed, could result in a cyclic flight control restriction during flight and consequent loss of control of the helicopter.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time inspection of the position of the bonding braid on the socket of the pilot cyclic stick and, depending on the results, correcting the positioning of the bonding braid and installing a binding clamp.

The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct the incorrect positioning of the bonding braid on the socket of the pilot cyclic stick. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a cyclic flight control restriction during flight and consequent loss of control of the helicopter.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-5036.

The FAA received comments from one commenter. The commenter supported the NPRM without change.

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.

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0243, which specifies a one-time inspection of the position of the bonding braid on the socket of the pilot cyclic stick and, depending on the results, correcting the positioning of the bonding braid and installing a binding clamp. 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.

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 72 helicopters of the U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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