# [Amended]
**AGENCY:**
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
**ACTION:**
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
**SUMMARY:**
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-05-09, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2025-05-09 requires revising the existing maintenance records by incorporating new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-05-09, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual (MM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICAs) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. 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 23, 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-2025-5038; 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.
**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]* .
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
**Comments Invited**
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed under *ADDRESSES* . Include “Docket No. FAA-2025-5038; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01035-R” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to *regulations.gov,* including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
**Confidential Business Information**
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Adam Hein, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
**Background**
The FAA issued AD 2025-05-09, Amendment 39-22981 (90 FR 14717, April 4, 2025), (AD 2025-05-09), for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2025-05-09 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2023-0146, dated July 14, 2023, (EASA AD 2023-0146) to advise that airworthiness limitations and certification maintenance instructions are identified as mandatory for continued airworthiness. EASA AD 2023-0146 also advises that Revision 7 of SA 330 J Maintenance Program—PUMA 330 J Airworthiness Limitations 5.99, Edition 2, date code 06-22, has been issued to specify all service life limits and maintenance tasks for SA 330 J helicopters and separate the airworthiness limitations from the Master Servicing Recommendations Manual (P.R.E.). According to EASA, failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an unsafe condition.
AD 2025-05-09 requires revising the existing maintenance records by incorporating new or more restrictive actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including any life limits, specified in EASA AD 2023-0146. The FAA issued AD 2025-05-09 to prevent failure of certain parts, which if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
**Actions Since AD 2025-05-09 Was Issued**
Since the FAA issued AD 2025-05-09, EASA superseded AD 2023-0146 and issued EASA AD 2025-0127, dated May 28, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0127) (also referred to as the MCAI), for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA 330 J helicopters. The MCAI states that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations have been developed. The FAA is issuing this proposed AD to prevent failure of critical parts and primary structural components, which, if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at *regulations.gov* under Docket No. FAA-2025-5038.
**Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51**
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0127, which specifies procedures for replacing components before exceeding their life limits and accomplishing all applicable maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals specified in the ALS as defined in EASA AD 2025-0127. Depending on the results of the maintenance tasks, EASA AD 2025-0127 requires accomplishing corrective action(s) or contacting Airbus Helicopters for approved instructions and accomplishing those instructions.
Additionally, EASA AD 2025-0127 specifies procedures for revising the Aircraft Maintenance Programme (AMP) by incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals described in the specified ALS, as applicable. Revising the AMP constitutes terminating action for the requirement to record accomplishment of the actions of replacing components before exceeding their life limits and accomplishing maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals specified in the applicable ALS as required by EASA AD 2025-0127 for demonstration of AD compliance on a continued basis.
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 *ADDRESSES.*
**FAA's Determination**
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority (CAA) 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 is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
**Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM**
This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2025-05-09. This proposed AD would require revising the existing MM or ICAs and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive ALS, which are specified in EASA AD 2025-0127, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. See “Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI” for a discussion of the general differences in this proposed AD.
**Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI**
EASA AD 2025-0127 specifies, as individual tasks, replacing certain components before exceeding applicable life limits, accomplishing certain maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals as specified in the ALS, as defined within, and depending on the results, accomplishing corrective action, whereas this proposed AD would not because the applicable ALS, along with the FAA regulatory framework, make it unnecessary or inappropriate to adopt certain paragraphs of the MCAI.
EASA AD 2025-0127 also requires revising the approved AMP by incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals described in that ALS within 12 months, whereas this proposed AD requires revising the existing maintenance records by incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals described in that ALS within 30 days, and clarifies that if the initial instance of an incorporated limitation or threshold therein is reached before 30 days after the effective date of this proposed AD, you still have up to 30 days after the effective date of this proposed AD to accomplish the corresponding task.
**Explanation of Required Compliance Information**
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some CAA ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA incorporates EASA AD 2025-0127 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0127 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0127 does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to “all required actions and compliance times,” compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled “Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)” in EASA AD 2025-0127. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0127 for compliance will be available at *regulations.gov* under Docket No. FAA-2025-5038 after the FAA final rule is published.
**Costs of Compliance**
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect six helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per | Cost on U.S. operators |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Revise the ALS | 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 | $0 | $85 | $510 |
**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**
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment**
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by:
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2025-05-09, Amendment 39-22981 (90 FR 14717, April 4, 2025); and
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
*Airbus Helicopters:* Docket No. FAA-2025-5038; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01035-R.
**(a) Comments Due Date**
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by January 23, 2026.
**(b) Affected ADs**
This AD replaces AD 2025-05-09, Amendment 39-22981 (90 FR 14717, April 4, 2025).
**(c) Applicability**
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, certificated in any category.
**(d) Subject**
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks.
**(e) Unsafe Condition**
This AD was prompted by new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of critical parts and primary structural components, which, if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
**(f) Compliance**
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
**(g) Requirements**
Except as specified in paragraph (h) and (i) of this AD, comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2025-0127, dated May 28, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0127).
**(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0127**
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0127 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt paragraphs (1), (2), (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2025-0127.
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0127 specifies “Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved AMP,” this AD requires replacing that text with “Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the airworthiness limitations section of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.”
(4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0127 is on or before the applicable “limitations” and “associated thresholds” as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0127 or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(5) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2025-0127.
**(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals**
After the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2025-0127.
**(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 local Flight Standards District 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: *[email protected].*
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
**(k) Additional Information**
For more information about this AD, contact Adam Hein, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4116; email: *[email protected].*
**(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 2025-0127, dated May 28, 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: *[email protected];* website: *easa.europa.eu.* You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at *ad.easa.europa.eu.*
(4) 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.
(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 *[email protected].*
Issued on December 5, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.