[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 43 (Monday, March 8, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13228-13229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04235]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27495; Project Identifier 2005-SW-14-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would 
have applied to certain Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) 
Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D, and D1; EC-130B4; and AS355E, F, 
F1, F2, and N helicopters. The NPRM would have required modifying the 
collective hold-down strap (strap) and thereafter inspecting it at 
specified intervals to ensure the rubber grommet is resting against the 
console or replacing the strap with a strap that has a torsional spring 
at the lower end of the strap. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA 
issued AD 2014-02-05, which addresses the unsafe condition identified 
in the NPRM. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

DATES: As of March 8, 2021, the proposed rule, which was published in 
the Federal Register on March 13, 2007 (72 FR 11297), is withdrawn.

ADDRESSES:

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2007-
27495; 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 AD action, any comments received, and other information. The 
street 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vince Massey, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3545; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued an NPRM that proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
adding an AD that would have applied to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 13, 2007 (72 FR 
11297). The NPRM was prompted by reports of two accidents occurring 
while the pilots were performing an autorotation. The pilots were 
unable to arrest the descent of the helicopter using collective blade 
pitch due to the collective stick locking in the down position when the 
collective was lowered during the maneuver. The NPRM proposed to 
require modifying the strap and thereafter inspecting it at specified 
intervals to ensure the rubber grommet is resting against the console 
or replacing the strap with a strap that has a torsional spring at the 
lower end of the strap.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has published AD 2014-02-05, 
Amendment 39-17733 (79 FR 5251, January 31, 2014) (AD 2014-02-05), 
which addresses the unsafe condition for Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, 
C, D, and D1 helicopters identified in the NPRM. The FAA also 
determined that the Model EC-130B4 helicopters and Model AS355E, F, F1, 
F2, and N helicopters identified in the NPRM are not affected by the 
unsafe condition because the root cause of the unsafe condition is 
certain collective straps that are only installed on the Model AS350B, 
BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D, and D1 helicopters. Therefore, the FAA has 
determined that this AD action is not appropriate.
    AD 2014-02-05 includes certain helicopters that were not included 
in the NPRM. Although the NPRM applied only to helicopters with a 
certain part-numbered hold-down strap, AD 2014-02-05 applies to Model 
AS350B, BA,

[[Page 13229]]

B1, B2, B3, C, D, and D1 helicopters that do not have a redesigned 
hold-down strap. AD 2014-02-05 corresponds with EASA AD 2009-0019, 
dated February 3, 2009.
    Withdrawal of the NPRM constitutes only such action and does not 
preclude the FAA from further rulemaking on this issue, nor does it 
commit the FAA to any course of action in the future.

Request To Revise the Applicability of the NPRM

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) and American Eurocopter, in consultation with 
Eurocopter, requested that the applicability of the NPRM be limited to 
helicopters modified by a Geneva center console supplemental type 
certificate (STC).
    The FAA acknowledges these comments to the NPRM. However, the FAA 
considers the requested change to the NPRM moot by this withdrawal.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the NPRM 
does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition and is 
unnecessary due to other rulemaking. Accordingly, the NPRM is 
withdrawn.

Regulatory Findings

    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed 
nor a final rule. This action therefore is not covered under Executive 
Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Withdrawal

0
Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. FAA-2007-
27495, which was published in the Federal Register on March 13, 2007 
(72 FR 11297), is withdrawn.

    Issued on February 24, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-04235 Filed 3-5-21; 8:45 am]
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