AD 2026-03576

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 8393-8395] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-03576]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-1337; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01289-R] RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a fully discharged personal locator beacon (PLB) battery installed on an emergency life-raft system (ELRS), as well as a report where the ropes connecting the two ELRS to the PLB were not correctly attached. This proposed AD would require performing a functional test of the PLB and inspecting the rope connection to the ELRS. Depending on the results of the functional test, this proposed AD would require performing the functional test again or replacing affected parts, and depending on the results of the rope inspection, correctly attaching the wrist strap of the PLB to the ELRS rope. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of a certain part- numbered PLB and the rope connection to the ELRS, 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 April 9, 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-2026-1337; 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 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-2026-1337.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Warwick, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA,1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5225; email: [email protected].