AD 2025-20303
Published 2025-11-19 · 9 models · 115 US-registered tails affected · Federal Register
Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopters Federal Register ↗
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B, EC 225LP, AS-365N3, and AS 332L2 helicopters; all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters; all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters; and all Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139, AW109SP, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that certain rescue hoist assemblies may have been equipped with a non- conforming overload clutch assembly. This proposed AD would require replacing each affected rescue hoist assembly with a serviceable rescue hoist assembly. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an affected rescue hoist assembly unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Applicability · by US fleet size
- AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND EC135P3 34 tails
- AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND EC135T3 27 tails
- AIRBUS HELICOPTERS H160-B 15 tails
- AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND EC135P2+ 13 tails
- AIRBUS HELICOPTERS EC135T3 9 tails
- AIRBUS HELICOPTERS EC135P3 8 tails
- AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND EC135T2+ 5 tails
- LEONARDO S P A AW189 3 tails
- LEONARDO S P A AB139 1 tails
Federal Register text
Verbatim; the Federal Register publication is the legally binding document. Cite: 90 FR 52008. View on Federal Register ↗
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 52008-52011] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2025-20303]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3986; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00224-R] RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B, EC 225LP, AS-365N3, and AS 332L2 helicopters; all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and EC635T2+ helicopters; all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters; and all Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139, AW109SP, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that certain rescue hoist assemblies may have been equipped with a non- conforming overload clutch assembly. This proposed AD would require replacing each affected rescue hoist assembly with a serviceable rescue hoist assembly. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an affected rescue hoist assembly unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 5, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Fax: (202) 493-2251. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-3986; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; 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, 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-2025-3986.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Hein, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4116; email: [email protected].