AD 2026-22-10

This AD is effective December 14, 2026.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 14, 2026.

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-7230; 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 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. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-7230.

Soban Saeed, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4123; email: soban.saeed@faa.gov.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2024-04-10, Amendment 39-22689 (89 FR 15431, March 4, 2024), (AD 2024-04-10). AD 2024-04-10 applied to all AHD Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters. AD 2024-04-10 required repetitively inspecting T/R blades having part number (P/N) L642A2002111 or P/N L642A2002112 installed for a crack and, depending on the results, removing any cracked T/R blade from service. AD 2024-04-10 also prohibited installing certain T/R blades on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met. The FAA issued AD 2024-04-10 to detect and address cracks in affected T/R blades. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in separation of a T/R blade assembly and subsequently reduced control of the helicopter.

The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 30, 2026 (91 FR 47994). The NPRM was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 2026-0032, dated February 19, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0032) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that a determination was made by the manufacturer that a previously approved inspection method (Method A) should be discontinued. Method A consisted of a dye-penetrant (with increased temperature) inspection.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2024-04-10 and also proposed to require repetitively inspecting a certain TRB assembly for cracks and, depending on the results, removing any cracked TRB assembly from service and replacing an affected part as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to prohibit installing an affected TRB assembly on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-7230.

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs.

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 2026-0032, which specifies procedures for repetitively inspecting the affected TRB assembly for cracks and, if any crack is detected, replacing the affected TRB assembly with a serviceable part. EASA AD 2026-0032 prohibits installing a certain TRB assembly on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met and specifies that replacing an affected TRB assembly with an eligible TRB assembly that is not an affected part is terminating action for certain repetitive inspections.

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 MCAI applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC635 P2+, EC635 P3, EC635 T1, and EC635 T3 helicopters, whereas this AD does not because those models do not have an FAA type certificate.

The MCAI specifies inspecting cracks by performing a visual inspection, dye-penetrant inspection, eddy current inspection, or fluorescent penetrant inspection, whereas this AD requires inspection methods under certain scenarios as outlined in the regulatory text of this AD, which are also described in a Note in the regulatory text of this AD.

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 359 helicopters of U.S. registry.

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

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

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.

The FAA has determined that 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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2024-04-10, Amendment 39-22689 (89 FR 15431, March 4, 2024); and

b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2026-22-10 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD):

Amendment 39-23512; Docket No. FAA-2026-7230; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00185-R.