Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-3999; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00176-R; Amendment 39-23380; AD 2026-12-10]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of non-conformity of a certain cargo hook. This AD requires inspecting the gap between the filler and the side plates of the affected cargo hook and, depending on the results, replacing the cargo hook. This AD also prohibits installing an affected cargo hook on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective August 3, 2026.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 3, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket:

You may examine the AD docket at

regulations.gov

under Docket No. FAA-2025-3999; 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-91, West Building Fifth Floor, Room W58-213, 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 this material on the EASA website at

ad.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-2025-3999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Yves Petiote, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202) 975-4867; email:

yves.petiote@faa.gov

.

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 Airbus Helicopters Model AS-350B, AS 350BA, AS 350B1, AS 350B2, AS 350B3, and AS-350D helicopters. The NPRM was published in the

Federal Register

on November 18, 2025 (90 FR 51620). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0036, dated February 12, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0036) (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 a non-conformity issue concerning

the gap between the filler and the side plates on the cargo hook of a helicopter was reported. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loosening of the cargo hook, loss of the load, and consequent injury to people on the ground.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require procedures for inspecting certain cargo hooks to measure the gap between the filler and the front and rear side plate assemblies and, depending on the results, replacing the cargo hook with a cargo hook that is not affected. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to prohibit installing an affected cargo hook on any helicopter. 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-2025-3999.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received comments from the Citizens Rulemaking Alliance. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Justify Forgoing Notice and Comment or Issue an NPRM

The commenter asserted that the FAA bypassed notice and comment and requested that the FAA convert this action to an NPRM or provide at a minimum a 60-day delayed effective date to allow the FAA to evaluate comments. The commenter asserted the FAA has not adequately justified use of the good cause exception to bypass notice and comment and the 30-day delayed effective date.

The FAA notes the comment was submitted in response to an NPRM for which the FAA provided a 45-day comment period. This final rule is effective 35 days after its publication in the

Federal Register

. Therefore, no change to this AD is necessary.

Request To Make Incorporation by Reference (IBR) Materials Reasonably Available

The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance stated that the FAA's current practices for IBR frequently fail to meet the legal and regulatory standards for reasonable availability. The commenter called on the FAA to guarantee that all IBR materials are freely and electronically accessible to the public and to condition future IBR approval in rotorcraft ADs on original equipment manufacturer commitment to free public access during the life of the AD.

The FAA clarifies that this AD only incorporates by reference EASA AD 2025-0036, not the manufacturer service information referenced in that EASA AD. The FAA posted EASA AD 2025-0036 to the AD docket when the NPRM was published in the

Federal Register

. The material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0036 may only be posted before the final rule's publication if it is already publicly available or if there is written consent from the owner of that material. Additionally, the FAA provided notice in the NPRM that the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0036 will be available in the AD docket after this AD is published. Therefore, the FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.

Request To Provide Additional Cost Information and Consider Impact on Small Entities

The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA add to the AD docket an explicit statement supporting its conclusion that the AD is not significant under Executive Order 12866 and the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). The commenter stated that the FAA should also provide the parts cost and any assumed downtime or out-of-service impacts. The commenter also requested that the FAA invite small-entity feedback on practical compliance alternatives.

No Additional Cost Impacts

In the Costs of Compliance section of the proposed AD, the FAA disclosed the number of affected helicopters on the U.S. registry, the estimated work hours, and the estimated cost of parts. The labor and parts estimates were provided by the manufacturer. Additionally, the FAA considered the impact that this AD will have on affected operators and determined this AD will not trigger any downtime costs because the requirements of this AD can be performed during regularly scheduled maintenance. Since the FAA assessed and disclosed the total known costs of the AD requirements in the Costs of Compliance section of the proposed AD, and the commenter did not provide additional cost data for the FAA to consider in its cost analysis, it is not necessary to provide additional information in the AD docket.

Small Entities to Which This AD Applies

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) of 1980, Public Law 96-354, 94 Stat. 1164 (5 U.S.C. 601-612), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121, 110 Stat. 857, Mar. 29, 1996) and the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-240, 124 Stat. 2504, Sept. 27, 2010), requires Federal agencies to consider the effects of the regulatory action on small business and other small entities and to minimize any significant economic impact. The term “small entities” comprises small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000.

The FAA used the definition of small entities in the RFA for this analysis. The RFA defines small entities as small businesses, small governmental jurisdictions, or small organizations. In 5 U.S.C. 601(3), the RFA defines “small business” to have the same meaning as “small business concern” under section 3 of the Small Business Act. The Small Business Act authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to define “small business” by issuing regulations.

The SBA (2023) has established size standards for various types of economic activities, or industries, under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). These size standards generally define small businesses based on the number of employees or annual receipts. The following table provides the SBA size standards for all industries with at least one entity impacted by this AD. Note that the SBA definition of a small business applies to the parent company and all affiliates as a single entity.

Small Business Size Standards

NAICS

code

Description

Size standard

111199

All Other Grain Farming

$2.25 million.

112111

Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming

$2.5 million.

221122

Electric Power Distribution

1,100 employees.

236220

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

$45.0 million.

237110

Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

$45.0 million.

327320

Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing

500 employees.

334511

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

1,350 employees.

336411

Aircraft Manufacturing

1,500 employees.

336413

Other Aircraft Part and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

1,250 employees.

423860

Transportation Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

175 employees.

441210

Recreational Vehicle Dealers

$40.0 million.

441227

Motorcycle, ATV, and All Other Motor Vehicle Dealers

$40.0 million.

481111

Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation

1,500 employees.

481211

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation

1,500 employees.

481212

Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation

1,500 employees.

481219

Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation

$25.0 million.

484110

General Freight Trucking, Local

$34.0 million.

486110

Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil

1,500 employees.

486210

Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas

$41.5 million.

487990

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Other

$25.0 million.

488119

Other Airport Operations

$40.0 million.

488190

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

$40.0 million.

512110

Motion Picture and Video Production

$40.0 million.

516120

Television Broadcasting Stations

$47.0 million.

517111

Wired Telecommunications Carriers

1,500 employees.

531390

Other Activities Related to Real Estate

$19.5 million.

532411

Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing

$45.5 million.

532490

Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing

$40.0 million.

541360

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services

$28.5 million.

541370

Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services

$19.0 million.

541512

Computer Systems Design Services

$34.0 million.

541611

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

$24.5 million.

551112

Offices of Other Holding Companies

$45.5 million.

561710

Exterminating and Pest Control Services

$17.5 million.

611512

Flight Training

$34.0 million.

621910

Ambulance Services

$22.5 million.

N/A

Public Administration—Federal, state, and local government agencies which administer and oversee government programs and activities that are not performed by private establishments

Population fewer than 50,000.

To identify small entities, the FAA first identified the primary NAICS of the entity or parent company, and then used data from different sources (

e.g.,

company annual reports, Bureau of Transportation Statistics) to determine whether the entity meets the applicable size standard. The table below provides the estimated number of small entities affected by this AD:

Estimated Number of Small Entities

Description

Number of

entities

1

Number

of small

entities

Percent

small

entities

All Other Grain Farming

1

0

0

Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming

1

1

100

Electric Power Distribution

2

1

50

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

2

2

100

Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

1

1

100

Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing

1

1

100

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

1

0

0

Aircraft Manufacturing

3

0

0

Other Aircraft Part and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

1

1

100

Transportation Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

1

1

100

Motorcycle, ATV, and All Other Motor Vehicle Dealers

1

1

100

Other Gasoline Stations

1

0

0

Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation

1

1

100

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation

102

85

83

Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation

1

1

100

Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation

6

5

83

General Freight Trucking, Local

1

1

100

Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil

1

0

0

Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas

1

0

0

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Other

15

12

80

Other Airport Operations

2

2

100

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

7

5

71

Motion Picture and Video Production

1

1

100

Other Activities Related to Real Estate

1

0

0

Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing

19

19

100

Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing

1

1

100

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services

1

1

100

Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services

1

0

0

Computer Systems Design Services

1

0

0

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

1

1

100

Offices of Other Holding Companies

4

4

100

Exterminating and Pest Control Services

1

1

100

Flight Training

1

1

100

Ambulance Services

10

5

50

Public Administration

79

0

0

1

Excludes individual owners, foreign companies, and entities lacking available data.

Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements

The FAA estimates operators will incur either a one-time inspection cost of $85 or an inspection and one-time replacement cost of $62,561 per helicopter. The FAA has no way to determine if each helicopter will require this replacement cost. The FAA analyzes the cost of each compliance method with the annual revenue of each small entity. The following table shows the estimated compliance costs by each NAICS industry.

Costs of Compliance per Small Entity

Description

Average

annual

revenue

1

Average

number

of

aircraft

Average

one-time

inspection

cost

Average

one-time

replacement

cost

2

Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming

$123,540

1

$85

$62,561

Electric Power Distribution

22,740,000

3

255

187,683

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

2,162,465

1

85

62,561

Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

89,940

1

85

62,561

Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing

53,280

1

85

62,561

Other Aircraft Part and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

Not found

1

85

62,561

Transportation Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

540,000

1

85

62,561

Motorcycle, ATV, and All Other Motor Vehicle Dealers

660,000

1

85

62,561

Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation

6,960,000

6

510

375,366

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation

393,944,724

2.2

187

137,634

Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation

5,740,000

4

340

250,244

Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation

12,618,333

5.8

493

362,854

General Freight Trucking, Local

6,060,000

1

85

62,561

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Other

44,092,097

2.7

230

168,915

Other Airport Operations

195,085

1

85

62,561

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

1,010,503,660

1.1

94

68,817

Motion Picture and Video Production

242,860

1

85

62,561

Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing

561,355

1

85

62,561

Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing

520,000

1

85

62,561

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services

163,430

1

85

62,561

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

52,300

1

85

62,561

Offices of Other Holding Companies

323,825

1

85

62,561

Exterminating and Pest Control Services

9,760,000

4

340

250,244

Flight Training

3,480,000

5

425

312,805

Ambulance Services

1,076,832

5.6

476

350,342

1

Source: Dun & Bradstreet. D&B Hoovers. Retrieved May 7, 2026.

app.hoovers.dnb.com

.

2

One-time replacement cost includes both inspection and replacement costs, as replacement is contingent upon inspection results.

Significant Alternatives Considered

FAA evaluated the alternative of not promulgating this AD but determined that taking no regulatory action would allow a significant safety hazard to persist. A non-conformity exists regarding the gap between the filler and the side plates on the helicopter's cargo hook. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the loosening of the cargo hook, loss of the external

load, and consequent injury to people on the ground.

Small Entity Impacts

Based on the analysis, this AD is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 or UMRA. The FAA did not change 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 2025-0036, which specifies procedures for inspecting certain cargo hooks to measure the gap between the filler and the front and rear side plate assemblies and, depending on the results, replacing the cargo hook with a cargo hook that is not affected. Additionally, EASA AD 2025-0036 prohibits installing an affected cargo hook on any helicopter. 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 350BB 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 898 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.

Estimated Costs

Action

Labor cost

Parts cost

Cost per

product

Cost on U.S. operators

Inspect cargo hook

1 work-hour × $85 per hour

1

= $85

$0

$85

$76,330

1

The FAA estimated operators will incur $85 in costs per labor hour, which is the weighted average fiscal year (FY) 2026 fully loaded wage of an aircraft mechanic ($69.85) working 60% of the labor hours and a general and operations manager ($108.15) working 40% of the labor hours. The FAA estimated these wages by taking the average of the FY 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) air transportation industry average wage for aircraft mechanics and general and operations managers (See: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System, BLS (May 2024),

data.bls.gov/oes/

); multiplying each wage by a fringe benefit factor of 1.42 (See: Employer Cost for Employee Compensation—December 2024, BLS (2024),

bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_03142025.pdf

); and adjusting these 2024 wages to 2026 dollars using an implicit Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Price Deflator of 2.8% (See: Gross Domestic Product: Implicit Price Deflator, FRED (2026)

fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPDEF

).

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

On Condition Costs

Action

Labor cost

Parts cost

Cost per

product

Replace cargo hook

4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340

$62,136

$62,476

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.

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

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

Authority:

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

§ 39.13

[Amended]

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

2026-12-10 Airbus Helicopters:

Amendment 39-23380; Docket No. FAA-2025-3999; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00176-R.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 3, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D helicopters, certificated in any category.

Note 1 to paragraph (c):

Helicopters with AS350B3e designation are Model AS350B3 helicopters.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a report of a non-conformity of the cargo hook. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct a non-conformity of the cargo hook. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loosening of the cargo hook, loss of the load, and consequent injury to people on the ground.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

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 AD 2025-0036, dated February 12, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0036).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0036

(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0036 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0036 defines sling cycles, for the purposes of this AD, a sling cycle is defined as one release with load on ground equals one sling cycle, and one release with load in-flight equals three sling cycles.

(3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0036 specifies “check”, this AD requires replacing that text with “inspect”.

(4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0036 specifies to return parts for repair, this AD does not require those actions.

(5) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2025-0036.

(i) Special Flight Permits

Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, provided there are no external load operations.

(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 responsible Flight Standards 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 responsible Flight Standards Office.

(k) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Yves Petiote, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202) 975-4867; email:

yves.petiote@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 2025-0036, dated February 12, 2025.

(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.

You may find this material on the EASA website at

ad.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.

Issued on June 11, 2026.

Steven W. Thompson,

Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2026-13060 Filed 6-26-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P