[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 104 (Monday, June 2, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23300-23303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09892]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0916; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00119-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2024-10-13, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C,
AS332C1, AS332L, AS 332L1, AS 332L2, and EC 225LP helicopters. AD 2024-
10-13 requires visually inspecting the bowls of the left-hand (LH) and
right-hand (RH) fuel filters for any cracks and seepage. Depending on
the inspection results, AD 2024-10-13 requires removing an affected
fuel filter from service and replacing that part. AD 2024-10-13 also
allows a certain fuel filter to be installed on any helicopter if
certain actions are accomplished. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-10-13,
additional inspection criteria was developed. This proposed AD would
require the same actions as AD 2024-10-13 but would remove some
helicopters from the applicability, add an inspection of the inner
surface of the fuel filter bowls, and revise the tightening torque. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by July 17, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0916; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this proposed 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. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0916.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deep Gaurav, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817)
228-3731; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0916;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00119-R'' at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial
[[Page 23301]]
information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually
treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it
is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI.
Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.''
The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the
FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM.
Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Deep Gaurav, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this
rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2024-10-13, Amendment 39-22759 (89 FR 56189, July
9, 2024) (AD 2024-10-13), for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C,
AS332C1, AS332L, AS 332L1, AS 332L2, and EC 225LP helicopters. AD 2024-
10-13 was prompted by MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2023-
0095, dated May 8, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0095), to address cracks on the
fuel filter bowls due to over-torquing.
AD 2024-10-13 requires visually inspecting the bowls of the LH and
RH fuel filters for cracks and seepage and, depending on the inspection
results, removing an affected fuel filter from service and replacing
that part. AD 2024-10-13 also allows certain fuel filters to be
installed on a helicopter if certain actions are accomplished. The FAA
issued AD 2024-10-13 to prevent failure of the bowl, in-flight
shutdown, and subsequent reduced control of the helicopter.
Actions Since AD 2024-10-13 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2024-10-13, EASA superseded EASA AD 2023-
0095 and issued EASA AD 2024-0045, dated February 16, 2024 (EASA AD
2024-0045) (also referred to as ``the MCAI''). The MCAI states new
cases of fuel filter cracks were reported on helicopters that had been
inspected as required by EASA AD 2023-0095. The new cracks were located
on the inner surface of the fuel filter bowls and likely resulted from
excessive bowl tightening torque. Following an investigation, Airbus
Helicopters expanded the scope of the inspection of the fuel filters to
include the inner surface of the bowls and revised the tightening
torque. This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of
the fuel filter bowl, in-flight shutdown of both engines, and
consequent reduced control of the helicopter.
The FAA is proposing 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-2025-0916.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0045, which species procedures for a
one-time inspection of the outer and inner surfaces of the bowls of the
LH and RH fuel filters for cracks and seepage. Depending on the
inspection results, EASA AD 2024-0045 specifies procedures for
replacing an affected part with a serviceable part. EASA AD 2024-0045
allows credit for the inspection for certain helicopters and also
allows certain fuel filters to be installed on a helicopter if they
have been inspected and no defects found.
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.
FAA's Determination
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 is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to
exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require the same actions as AD 2024-10-13
but would remove some helicopters from the applicability, add an
inspection of the inner surface of the fuel filter bowls, and revise
the tightening torque. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the
actions specified in EASA AD 2024-0045, described previously, as
incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. See
``Differences Between this AD and the MCAI'' for a general discussion
of these differences.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2024-0045 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2024-0045 in its entirety through that incorporation, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading
of a particular section in EASA AD 2024-0045 does not mean that
operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,''
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2024-
0045. Material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0045 for compliance will be
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0916 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
Where the MCAI applies to helicopters delivered before February 15,
2024, this proposed AD would apply to helicopters with fuel filter part
number 4020P25-5 or 704A44620049 installed and with an original
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of
airworthiness issued before February 15, 2024.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 20 helicopters of U.S. registry. Labor rates are estimated at
$85 per hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD.
Inspecting the fuel filter bowls (two bowls per helicopter) for
cracks and seepage would take 2 work-hours and not require any parts,
for an estimated cost of $170 per helicopter and $3,400 for the U.S.
fleet.
Replacing a fuel filter would take 2 work-hours and parts would
cost $6,290 for an estimated cost of $6,460 per fuel filter
replacement.
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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
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2024-10-13, Amendment 39-22759 (89
FR 56189, July 9, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2025-0916; Project Identifier
MCAI-2024-00119-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 17, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2024-10-13, Amendment 39-22759 (89 FR 56189,
July 9, 2024).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1,
AS332L, AS 332L1, AS 332L2, and EC 225LP helicopters, certificated
in any category, with fuel filter part number 4020P25-5 or
704A44620049 installed and with an original airworthiness
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued
before February 15, 2024.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2821, Aircraft fuel
filter/strainer.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the fuel filter
bowl (bowl) due to over-torquing. The FAA is issuing this AD to
inspect for cracks and seepage on the bowl of the left-hand (LH) and
right-hand (RH) fuel filter. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in failure of the fuel filter bowl, in-flight shutdown
of both engines, and consequent reduced 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
2024-0045, dated February 16, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0045).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0045
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0045 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0045 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0045 states ``any
discrepancy, as defined in the ASB'', for this AD replace that text
with ``any crack or seepage''.
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0045 specifies ``replace
the affected part with a serviceable part in accordance with the
instructions of the applicable ASB'', this AD requires replacing
that text with ``remove the affected part from service and replace
it with a serviceable part''.
(5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0045 uses the
term ``check'', this AD requires replacing that term with
``inspection''.
(6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0045 specifies
discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from
service.
(7) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0045 specifies
actions for non-installed equipment or parts, this AD does not
require those actions.
(8) This AD does not adopt the Remarks section of EASA AD 2024-
0045.
(i) No Reporting or Returning Parts Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0045 specifies
to submit certain information and return parts to the manufacturer,
this AD does not require those actions.
(j) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) 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 (l) of
this AD and email to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(l) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Deep Gaurav,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 228-3731; email:
[email protected].
(m) 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 2024-0045,
dated February 16, 2024.
(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 this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at 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.
[[Page 23303]]
(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 May 22, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-09892 Filed 5-30-25; 8:45 am]
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