[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 65 (Monday, April 7, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14903-14904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05776]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 65 / Monday, April 7, 2025 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 14903]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2541; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00006-R;
Amendment 39-22977; AD 2025-05-05]
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
certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This AD
was prompted by a report of a pilot collective pitch stick handle grip
that broke when pulled. This AD requires replacing certain pilot
collective pitch stick handle grips and prohibits installing those
pilot collective pitch stick handle grips. 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 May 12, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 12,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2541; 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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; 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 Pkwy., Room 6N-321,
Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2541.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hye Yoon Jang, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (206) 231-3758; email: Hye.Yoon.Jang@faa.gov.
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 certain Airbus
Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on November 29, 2024 (89 FR 94626). The NPRM was prompted by
EASA AD 2023-0002, dated January 5, 2023, issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD
2023-0002) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that a pilot
collective pitch stick handle grip broke into two pieces when a
maintenance technician pulled the handle grip during helicopter
maintenance. According to the MCAI, following investigation and
analysis, the handle grip material (Rilsan) is sensitive to aging, with
consequent degradation of the structural strength of the handle grip.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing certain pilot
collective pitch stick handle grips and prohibit installing those pilot
collective pitch stick handle grips. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
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 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
EASA AD 2023-0002 requires replacing handle grips P/N 41A27-1377-00
installed on pilot collective pitch sticks before June 15, 2022, and
replacing certain part-numbered pilot collective pitch sticks complete
with a handle grip. EASA AD 2023-0002 also prohibits installing the
affected handle grips and pilot collective pitch sticks equipped with
an affected handle grip 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.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
The MCAI requires using Airbus Helicopters ASB SA341 67.06 and ASB
SA342 67.06 (co-published as one document and referred to as ASB No.
``GAZ-67.06''), Revision 0, dated June 15, 2022, for compliance, and
allows using future revisions of that material, whereas this AD instead
requires using Airbus Helicopters ASB No. GAZ-67.06, Revision 1, dated
November 2, 2022, and allows using future revisions of that material as
specified in the Ref. Publications section of EASA AD 2023-0002, which
is incorporated by reference.
[[Page 14904]]
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 16 helicopters of U.S.
registry.
Replacing the collective pitch handle grip takes 4 work-hours and
parts cost $230 for an estimated cost of $570 per helicopter and $9,120
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:
2025-05-05 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22977; Docket No. FAA-
2024-2541; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00006-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 12, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J
helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European
Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2023-0002, dated January 5, 2023
(EASA AD 2023-0002).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 2077, Flight
Control System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a pilot collective pitch
stick handle grip that broke into two pieces when a maintenance
technician pulled the handle grip during helicopter maintenance. The
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the pilot collective
pitch stick handle grip. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in reduced integrity of the flight control system 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, EASA AD 2023-0002.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0002
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0002 defines ``the ASB'' as ``AH Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) SA341 67.06 and ASB SA342 67.06 (published as
a single document, also ref. No. ASB GAZ-67.06),'' this AD requires
replacing that text with ``Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin
No. GAZ-67.06, Revision 1, dated November 2, 2022.''
(2) Where EASA AD 2023-0002 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0002 specifies
discarding certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from
service.
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2023-0002.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0002 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 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: 9-AVS-AIR-730-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) 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:
Hye.Yoon.Jang@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 AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0002,
dated January 5, 2023.
(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 Pkwy., 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 February 26, 2025.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-05776 Filed 4-4-25; 8:45 am]
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