[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 104 (Monday, June 2, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23297-23300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09895]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0914; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00413-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS 332L2 and EC 225LP helicopters.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of overlengthened and deformed
attachment bolts installed on the link of the main gearbox (MGB)
suspension bar attachment bracket. This proposed AD would require
replacing certain attachment bolts on the MGB suspension bar fittings,
inspecting the removed bolts, and reporting the results of this
inspection to Airbus Helicopters. 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-2025-0914; 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.
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. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0914.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Weir, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817)
222-4045; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 23298]]
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0914;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00413-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 this 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 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
George Weir, 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
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2024-0142, dated July 17, 2024 (EASA
AD 2024-0142) (also referred to as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition on Airbus Helicopters Model AS 332 L2 and EC 225 LP
helicopters with a new link of MGB suspension bar attachment brackets
installed under Airbus Helicopters modification 07.28496 (helicopters
in production) or using certain Airbus Helicopters alert service
bulletins (helicopters in service). The MCAI states that two attachment
screws (bolts) were found overlengthened and deformed on helicopters
having the new link of the MGB suspension bar attachment brackets. The
MCAI further states the investigation is still ongoing and that
collecting additional data to support the investigation is part of
addressing the unsafe condition. The MCAI states that it is an interim
action and further AD action may follow.
The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent structural failure of the
MGB suspension bar attachment bolts, which, if not addressed, could
result in failure of an MGB attachment assembly, detachment of an MGB
suspension bar, and consequent loss control of the helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0914.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0142 specifies procedures for replacing attachment
screw part number 332A22-3644-20 with a part that is new (never been
installed), inspecting the removed screws, and reporting the inspection
results to Airbus Helicopters. The attachment screws are installed on
the left-hand and right-hand rear MGB suspension bar fittings.
Additionally, EASA AD 2024-0142 prohibits installing that part-numbered
attachment screw on any helicopter unless it is installed in accordance
with certain service instructions.
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 accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2024-0142, described previously, as incorporated by
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed. See ``Differences Between this AD and
the MCAI'' for a 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 2024-0142 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2024-0142 in its entirety through that incorporation, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this proposed AD. Material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0142 for
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2025-0914 after the FAA final rule is published.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0142 specifies
contacting Airbus Helicopters for instructions if the difference
between (L4) and (L3) is more than 1.6 mm (.063 in), this proposed AD
would require using a repair method approved by the FAA, EASA, or
Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval.
Where EASA AD 2024-0142 prohibits installing an affected part
unless it has been installed in accordance with certain service
instructions, this proposed AD would not contain that prohibition.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this proposed AD would be an interim action. The
inspection reports that would be required by this AD would enable the
manufacturer to obtain better insight into the nature and cause of the
screw deformation and eventually to develop final action to address the
unsafe condition. Once a final action has been identified, the FAA
might consider further rulemaking then.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 38
[[Page 23299]]
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.
Replacing a set of eight rear MGB fitting attachment bolts would
take 16 work-hours and parts would cost $587 for an estimated cost of
$1,947 per helicopter and $73,986 for the U.S. fleet, per replacement
cycle.
Reporting inspection results would take 1 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $85 per helicopter.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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 this 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2025-0914; Project Identifier
MCAI-2024-00413-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 17, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS 332L2 and EC
225LP helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in
European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0142, dated July 17,
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0142).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6330, Main rotor
transmission mount.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of overlengthened and deformed
attachment bolts installed on the new link of the main gearbox (MGB)
suspension bar attachment bracket. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent structural failure of the MGB suspension bar attachment
bolts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
failure of an MGB attachment assembly, detachment of an MGB
suspension bar, and consequent loss 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 2024-0142.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): EASA AD 2024-0142 and Airbus
Helicopters material that is referenced in EASA AD 2024-0142 refer
to MGB suspension bar attachment ``bolts'' as ``screws.''
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0142
(1) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0142 requires compliance
within ``2,500 flight hours since first installation,'' this AD
requires compliance as specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) and (ii) of
this AD.
(i) For each affected part that has accumulated 2,500 or more
total hours time-in-service (TIS) or if the total hours TIS on the
affected part cannot be determined: Before further flight, and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,500 total hours TIS on the
affected part.
(ii) For each affected part that has accumulated less than 2,500
total hours TIS: Before the affected part accumulates 2,500 total
hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,500 total
hours TIS on the affected part.
(2) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0142 specifies
discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from
service.
(3) Instead of the reporting requirement in paragraph (3) of
EASA AD 2024-0142, this AD requires reporting the results of each
inspection to Airbus Helicopters at the compliance time specified in
paragraph (h)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD. The report must include the
total hours TIS (if known) on each bolt, the batch number and serial
number of the bolt, the length of the bolt, a detailed description
of any findings, any previous maintenance, and any photos (if
possible).
(i) For an inspection done on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(ii) For an inspection done before the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of
this AD.
(4) This AD does not require paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2024-0142.
(5) Where the material referenced EASA AD 2024-0142 specifies
contacting Airbus
[[Page 23300]]
Helicopters for repair instructions, this AD requires using a repair
method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch,
FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization
Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include
the DOA-authorized signature.
(6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0142.
(i) 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 responsible Flight
Standards 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 (j) 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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact George Weir,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-4045; email:
[email protected].
(k) 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 2024-0142,
dated July 17, 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 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 May 23, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-09895 Filed 5-30-25; 8:45 am]
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