Federal Register #2026-11178

FAA Airworthiness Directives for Airbus H160B and Dassault FALCON 7X: PLB Inspections and Avionics Updates

This summary covers new airworthiness directives (ADs) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Airbus Helicopters Model H160B and Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation - Aircraft Certification Service, Airworthiness Products Section - OEMs Mentioned: - Airbus Helicopters (Model H160B) - Dassault Aviation (Model FALCON 7X) - PLB Manufacturer (PLB part number U256M30T1001, manufacturer part number 500322YH) - Products/Services Referenced: - Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), part number U256M30T1001, for Airbus H160B - Requires functional testing and inspection of rope connection to emergency life-raft system (ELRS) - Battery pack replacement if PLB fails functional test - Maintenance and Avionics Interface Computer (MAIC) software modification for Dassault FALCON 7X - Software update to restore crew awareness of inboard slat configuration - Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) revision for Dassault FALCON 7X - Improved procedures for addressing slat failures - Notable Requirements: - Mandatory functional testing and inspection of PLBs and ELRS rope connections on Airbus H160B - Replacement of PLB battery packs if tests fail - Prohibition on installation of certain PLBs and rope connections unless requirements are met - Software and manual updates required for Dassault FALCON 7X to address slat extension failures - No procurement or purchase quantities are requested; these are regulatory safety actions, not product or service acquisitions.

Description

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model H160-B helicopters. This 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. The AD requires performing a functional test of the PLB and inspecting the rope connection to the ELRS. Depending on the results, it may require repeating the test, replacing parts, or correctly attaching the wrist strap of the PLB to the ELRS rope. The AD also prohibits installation of certain part-numbered PLBs and rope connections unless requirements are met to address the unsafe condition.

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