# 2026-13063: Helicopter Cabin Doors Get Permanent FAA Safety Upgrade

2026-13063, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-06-29, effective 2026-08-03; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-06).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13063
- As of: 2026-07-06
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-13063
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 39005
- Published: 2026-06-29
- Effective: 2026-08-03
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-07-06

## In one line

Helicopter Cabin Doors Get Permanent FAA Safety Upgrade

## Summary

If you fly Airbus Helicopters AS332 models, listen up! The FAA is updating safety rules to fix the cabin sliding doors by requiring a new modification that stops repeated inspections. This change starts August 3, 2026, and helps keep flights safer without rushing repairs, though some costs for upgrades might pop up.

## Abstract

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-09-03 and AD 2021-05-15 for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. AD 2019-09-03 required a one-time inspection of the jettisoning mechanism of the cabin lateral sliding plug doors. AD 2021-05-15 required repetitive inspections, modifying the release system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, or modifying the design of the jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-05-15, the manufacturer developed a prerequisite modification for certain helicopters, determined improved modification instructions were necessary for installation of the release system of the cabin lateral sliding plug door, and determined the compliance time could be extended. This AD requires modifying the release system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door or modifying the design of the jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Large one‑time retrofit cost for operators: cost, high. If you operate an Airbus Helicopters AS332C/AS332C1/AS332L/AS332L1, the FAA requires you to modify the cabin lateral sliding plug door release system or modify the jettison system as a terminating action. The FAA estimates the modification takes 214 work‑hours (214 x $85 = $18,190) plus up to $122,…
- Inspections continue until retrofit is done: benefit, low. Until the required modification is done, operators must inspect the cabin door jettisoning mechanism and cable clamps during the next jettisoning test or within 110 hours time‑in‑service as specified; the FAA estimates the inspection is 1 work‑hour at $85 per helicopter. Completing the modification…
- More time allowed to comply with modification: benefit, low. The manufacturer and referenced airworthiness material indicate the compliance window for the modification was extended from within 1,100 flight hours or 27 months to within 1,325 flight hours or 40 months. That extension gives operators more time before the mandatory modification must be installed.
- Improves emergency door jettison safety: benefit, high. The AD addresses an unsafe condition where the jettison handle cable could interfere with cable clamps and jam the cabin sliding door, potentially preventing door jettison in an emergency and obstructing evacuation. The required modifications and inspections are intended to prevent that door‑jammin…

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## Sources
- [2026-13063 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/29/2026-13063/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters)
- [2026-13063 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-29/pdf/2026-13063.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-13062, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13062)
- [Next: 2026-13064, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13064)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13063 (as of 2026-07-06).