Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under ADDRESSES . Include "Docket No. FAA-2026-0732; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00008-R" at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 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 this final rule 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 final rule. 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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Evan Weaver, 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 Emergency AD 2026-01-51, dated January 12, 2026 (Emergency AD 2026-01-51) (also referred to as the emergency AD), to address an unsafe condition on all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. The FAA sent the emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. The emergency AD requires replacing the upper and lower pitch rod end bearings on the pitch rods of the main rotor with new pitch rod end bearings and reporting information after accomplishment of the replacement. The emergency AD also prohibits installing any affected main rotor lower and upper pitch rod end bearings on any helicopter, unless it is a serviceable part. Emergency AD 2026-01-51 was prompted by Emergency AD 2026-0001-E, dated January 8, 2026; corrected January 9, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition on all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. The MCAI states that pilots reported significant vibrations during flight and a subsequent investigation revealed a rupture of a main rotor pitch rod. The MCAI was intended to address the failure of the main rotor lower pitch rod end bearing part number (P/N) U623A30T1002 and U623A30T1006 (manufacturer P/N 12-14043P and 12-14631P), and main rotor upper pitch rod end bearing P/N U623A30T1001 and U623A30T1005 (manufacturer P/N 12-14042P and 12-14630P). EASA considers the MCAI an interim action. This condition, if not addressed, could result in structural failure of the main rotor pitch rod with consequent loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA is issuing this emergency AD to address the structural failure of the main rotor lower and upper pitch rod end bearings. This condition, if not addressed, could result in structural failure of the main rotor pitch rod with consequent loss of control of the helicopter. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-0732. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E, which specifies procedures for replacing the upper and lower pitch rod end bearings on the pitch rods of the main rotor with new pitch rod end bearings. EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E also prohibits installing any affected main rotor lower and upper pitch rod end bearings that are not new parts 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. 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 AD after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. AD Requirements This emergency AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this emergency AD. 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, EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E is incorporated by reference in this emergency AD. This emergency AD requires compliance with EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the emergency AD requirement refers to "all required actions and compliance times," compliance with this emergency AD requirement is not limited to the section titled "Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)" in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E. Material required by EASA Emergency AD 2026- 0001-E for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-0732 after this AD is published. Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective Date Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq. ) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency, for "good cause," finds that those procedures are "impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest." Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good cause. An unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of Emergency AD 2026-01-51, issued on January 12, 2026, to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. The FAA found that the risk to the flying public justified forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because there is a significant risk of structural failure in the lower or upper main rotor pitch rod end bearings of helicopters that have exceeded 160 hours time-in-service (TIS) on the affected parts. Given the urgency, the FAA permits only one additional flight of maximum duration of 5 hours TIS before the mandatory replacement of these parts. This compliance time is shorter than the time necessary for the public to comment and for the publication of the final rule. These conditions still exist, therefore, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b). In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and comment. Regulatory Flexibility Act The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required. Interim Action The FAA considers that this emergency AD is an interim action. If final action is later identified, the FAA might consider additional rulemaking. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD affects 13 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 Replace the upper and lower pitch rod end bearings 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 Up to $134,570 Up to $135,250 Up to $1,758,250 Report per replacement cycle 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 $0 $85 $1,105 Return of parts per replacement cycle 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 $50 $135 $1,755 The FAA has received no definitive data to provide cost estimates for the return of parts, except the FAA estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the associated paperwork necessary for the return of parts and cost approximately $50 to ship. Paperwork Reduction Act A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524. 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, and (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska. 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: 2026-01-51 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23249; Docket No. FAA-2026-0732; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00008-R. (a) Effective Date The FAA issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2026-01-51 on January 12, 2026 (also referred to as the emergency AD), directly to affected owners and operators. As a result of such actual notice, that emergency AD was effective for those owners and operators on the date it was received. This emergency AD contains the same requirements as the emergency AD and, for those who did not receive actual notice, is effective on February 17, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This emergency AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200, Main Rotor System. (e) Unsafe Condition This emergency AD was prompted by a report of the main rotor pitch rod rupturing during flight. The FAA is issuing this emergency AD to address the structural failure of the main rotor lower and upper pitch rod end bearings. This condition, if not addressed, could result in structural failure of the main rotor pitch rod with consequent loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this emergency AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions 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 Emergency AD 2026-0001-E, dated January 8, 2026; corrected January 9, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E). (h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E (1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the date of receipt of this emergency AD. (2) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this emergency AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E specifies "check", this emergency AD requires replacing that text with "inspect". (4) This emergency AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA Emergency AD 2026-0001-E. (i) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this emergency 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 emergency 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 local Flight Standards District Office/certificate holding district office. (k) Additional Information For more information about this emergency AD, contact Evan Weaver, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4152; email: evan.p.weaver@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 emergency AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2026-0001-E, dated January 8, 2026; corrected January 9, 2026. (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 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on January 28, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.