[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34352-34353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-13715]
[[Page 34352]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0625; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01625-R;
Amendment 39-23085; AD 2025-14-07]
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 AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters.
This AD was prompted by reports of false engine fire warnings. This AD
requires replacing affected engine fire detectors and prohibits
installing an affected engine fire detector or an engine that contains
an affected engine fire detector. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 26, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 26,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0625; 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (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. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0625.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aryanna Sanchez, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-4058; 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 AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters. The NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on April 25, 2025 (90 FR 17350). The
NPRM was prompted by AD 2022-0261, dated December 20, 2022, issued by
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union (EASA AD 2022-0261) (also referred to as the MCAI). The
MCAI states that there have been several reports of false engine fire
warnings. Subsequent investigation determined that a manufacturing non-
compliance on the engine fire detectors, part numbers (P/N) H243-1 or
H443-1, caused a shift of the detection threshold towards temperature
values that are lower than specified, and potentially led to false
engine fire warnings. When two engines on a helicopter are fitted with
a non-conforming engine fire detector, an engine fire warning could
occur on both engines during the same flight. This condition, if not
corrected, could lead to a commanded engine in-flight shut-down and
consequent loss of control of the helicopter.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing affected engine
fire detectors and prohibit installing an affected engine fire detector
or an engine that contains an affected engine fire detector. 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-2025-0625.
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 civil 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, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, 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.
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0261, which specifies procedures for
replacing affected engine fire detectors (P/N H243-1 or H443-1) and
prohibits installation of an affected engine fire detector or an engine
that contains an affected engine fire detector. 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 3 helicopters of U.S.
registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per hour. Based on these
numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
Replacing an engine fire detector takes 1 work-hour and parts cost
$1,800, for an estimated cost of $1,885 per helicopter and $5,655 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.
[[Page 34353]]
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(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-14-07 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23085; Docket No. FAA-
2025-0625; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01625-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 26, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B,
and EC155B1 helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2610, Fire Detection
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of false engine fire warnings.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent false engine fire warnings.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to a commanded
engine in-flight shut-down and consequent 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 AD 2022-0261,
dated December 20, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0261).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0261
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0261 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2022-0261.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0261 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.
(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 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 local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Aryanna Sanchez,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-4058; 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 2022-0261,
dated December 20, 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 this 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 July 10, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-13715 Filed 7-21-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P