[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 44 (Friday, March 7, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11473-11475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03698]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2147; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01515-R;
Amendment 39-22967; AD 2025-04-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2,
and AS 365 N3 helicopters. This AD prompted by an engine compartment
fire where the upper stiffener of the central firewall in the engine
compartment was found damaged. This AD requires replacing the aluminum
central firewall stiffener with a titanium central firewall stiffener
and prohibits installing an aluminum central firewall stiffener. These
actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 11, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 11,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2147; 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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
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
this 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. The EASA material is also
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2147.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hye Yoon Jang, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (206) 231-3758; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Helicopters
Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3
helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September
30, 2024 (89 FR 79483). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022-0231, dated
November 28, 2022, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the
Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2022-0231) (also referred
to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that an engine fire occurred where the
upper stiffener of the central firewall, made of aluminum, in the
engine compartment was found damaged. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address failure of a central firewall stiffener made of aluminum,
possibly due to its inability to withstand high temperatures of an
engine fire and subsequently not seal the engine compartment properly.
In the event of an engine fire, the unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in fire propagating from one engine compartment to the
other and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing aluminum central
firewall stiffeners with titanium central firewall stiffeners and
prohibit installing an aluminum central firewall stiffener, as
specified in EASA AD 2022-0231. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2147.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another
[[Page 11474]]
country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority,
it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined
that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as
proposed in the NPRM.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0231, which requires replacing
aluminum central firewall stiffeners with titanium central firewall
stiffeners and prohibits installing an aluminum central firewall
stiffener 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 35 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs to comply with this AD.
Replacing the aluminum central firewall stiffener with a titanium
central firewall stiffener takes 7 work-hours and parts cost $1,737 to
$2,801 depending on the part number for an estimated cost of $2,332 to
$3,396 per helicopter and $81,620 to $118,860 for the U.S. fleet.
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,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-04-09 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22967; Docket No. FAA-
2024-2147; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01515-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 11, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B, EC155B1,
SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters, certificated
in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5412, Nacelle/Pylon,
Bulkhead/Firewall.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an engine compartment fire where the
upper stiffener of the central firewall, made of aluminum, in the
engine compartment was found damaged. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address failure of a central firewall stiffener made of aluminum,
possibly due to its inability to withstand high temperatures of an
engine fire and subsequently not seal the engine compartment
properly. In the event of an engine fire, the unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could result in fire propagating from one engine
compartment to the other and subsequent 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 paragraphs (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 (EASA) AD
2022-0231, dated November 28, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0231).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0231
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0231 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0231 refers to flight hours, this AD
requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0231 specifies
discarding certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from
service.
(4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0231 states
``If the bracket (f) is in unsatisfactory condition (DETAIL D),''
this AD requires replacing that text with ``Inspect the bracket (f)
(DETAIL D) for airworthy condition; for the purpose of this AD, an
unairworthy condition may be indicated by corrosion, a crack, or
wear. If the bracket (f) is in an unairworthy condition.''
(5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0231 states to
``Do a check of the cover strip (g) and the fireproof seal (h) to
replace if necessary (SECTION B-B),'' this AD requires replacing
that text with ``Inspect the cover strip (g) and the fireproof seal
(h) for airworthy condition. If the cover strip (g) or the fireproof
seal (h) is in an unairworthy condition, remove each unairworthy
part from service and replace it with a new (zero total hours time-
in-service) part (SECTION B-B).''
(6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2022-0231.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0231 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
require that action.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve
[[Page 11475]]
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. Information may be
emailed 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) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3758; 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 2022-0231,
dated November 28, 2022.
(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 February 18, 2025.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-03698 Filed 3-6-25; 8:45 am]
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