AD 2026-01956

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 2026)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 4434-4438] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-01956]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-0733; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01329-R; Amendment 39-23251; AD 2026-03-02] RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-13- 09, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters. AD 2014-13-09 required repetitive visual inspections of the ring frame X9227 for a crack, and if there is a crack, replacing the ring frame. Since the FAA issued AD 2014-13-09, AHD Helicopters determined that this unsafe condition also applies to AHD Model EC135P3 and EC135T3 helicopters. This AD continues to require some of the actions required by AD 2014-13-09 and expands the applicability by including AHD Model EC135P3 and EC135T3 helicopters and also reduces the compliance time for the repetitive inspections. This AD also allows the modification of the ring frame X9227 as terminating action for the repetitive visual inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 17, 2026. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 17, 2026. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by March 19, 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.

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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-2026-0733; 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 street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material identified in this final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; 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 Pkwy., 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-2026-0733.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shailesh Malla, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5584; email: [email protected].