[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 157 (Monday, August 18, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40025-40028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15657]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0765; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00981-R;
Amendment 39-23106; AD 2025-16-08]
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 EC 130 B4 and EC 130 T2 helicopters. This AD
was prompted by the determination that fatigue cracks may develop at
the root section of certain tail rotor blades (TRBs). This AD requires
inspecting those TRBs and, depending on the results, replacing the TRB
with a serviceable TRB. This AD also prohibits installing those TRBs
unless certain actions are accomplished. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 22, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
22, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0765; 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
[[Page 40026]]
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 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-2024-0765.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Jason Franklin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-5291; 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 EC 130 B4 and EC 130 T2 helicopters. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on April 1, 2024 (89 FR 22356). The NPRM was prompted
by EASA AD 2022-0150, dated July 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0150) (also
referred to as ``the MCAI''), issued by EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that
fatigue cracks may develop at the root section of certain part-numbered
TRBs.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively fluorescent
penetrant inspecting those TRBs and, depending on the results,
accomplishing corrective action. The FAA also proposed to prohibit
installing those TRBs unless certain actions are accomplished. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracks on a TRB, which if not
addressed, could result in crack propagation, TRB failure, and
consequent loss of control of the helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0765.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from four commenters. The commenters were
Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA), Air Methods, Airbus
Helicopters, and Metro Aviation, Inc. The commenters requested changes
regarding the repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) and
inspector level requirements, and two commenters made remarks regarding
differences between the FAA and EASA AD actions. The following presents
the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each
comment.
Comments Regarding Inspector Level Requirements
Air Methods, Airbus Helicopters, and Metro Aviation, Inc.,
requested the FAA change the proposed requirement for the inspection to
be performed by a certified Level II or III inspector. Airbus
Helicopters and Metro Aviation, Inc., stated that the Level II or Level
III inspector requirement is burdensome and prohibitive to immediate
operations. Air Methods requested the FAA explain this proposed
requirement, which is not required by the Airbus Helicopters service
information or EASA AD 2022-0150. Air Methods commented that a similar
requirement was recently included in AD 2024-04-10, Amendment 39-22689
(89 FR 15431, March 4, 2024) (AD 2024-04-10), which resulted in the
need for operators to immediately request FAA approval of an
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to avoid grounding the fleet
due to unavailability of certified inspectors.
The FAA agrees and has removed paragraph (h)(3) from this final
rule.
Comments Regarding FPI Requirements
All commenters requested the FAA remove the proposed requirement
for FPIs instead of Die Penetrant Inspection (DPI) and instead adopt
EASA AD 2022-0150 without restrictions. Metro Aviation, Inc., stated
that it has successfully accomplished DPIs of the affected TRBs with no
unsatisfactory findings. Metro Aviation, Inc. also noted that the FAA's
proposal is inconsistent with past ADs, as AD 2021-10-25, Amendment 39-
21558 (86 FR 29176, June 1, 2021) (AD 2021-10-25), requires DPI of the
same part-numbered TRBs and a global AMOC approved for AD 2024-04-10
showed that DPI provided an acceptable level of safety. AMOA expressed
concern about the FAA's inconsistency and differences with the State of
Design Authority as to the use of DPIs for cracks on certain TRBs. AMOA
stated that the FAA did not explain what changed since the FAA issued
AD 2021-10-25, which required the DPI method. AMOA further stated that
it is unclear if the FAA followed its terms under the relevant
bilateral agreement to accept the State of Design Authority's
requirements and resolve differences.
The FAA agrees to remove paragraph (h)(3) of the proposed AD, which
would have required an FPI instead of a DPI. However, FPI remains the
preferred method of compliance for this AD. Dye penetrant inspection
methods involve the use of either visible (colored) penetrant or
fluorescent penetrant. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC130-05A041
specifies to perform a DPI with a general reference to Airbus Standard
Practices Manual (MTC) 20-02-09-101. MTC 20-02-09-101, Crack detection
through dye-penetrant inspection, dated May 25, 2016, identifies Type I
(fluorescent penetrant) as the type of penetrant to be used and states
Type II (colored penetrant) should be only used for a cross-check once
a crack has been detected or otherwise with approval from Airbus
Helicopters. The FAA reminds operators of the airworthiness concern
regarding liquid penetrant inspection discussed in FAA Special
Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-18-26R1, dated October 30,
2018 (SAIB CE-18-26R1). SAIB CE-18-26R1 explains the risks associated
with using visible DPI methods, including the prohibition in American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1417 on the use of type 2
visible dye penetrant prior to the use of type 1 fluorescent penetrant
on the same surface. SAIB CE-18-26R1 also advises of the importance of
pre- and post-inspection cleaning to ensure proper detection of cracks.
You can find SAIB CE-18-26R1 at drs.gov.
Additional Changes Made From the NPRM
The FAA added paragraph (k) of this AD to allow revising the
maintenance or inspection program as an optional terminating action for
the repetitive inspections. Since the FAA issued the NPRM, EASA revised
AD 2022-0150 and issued EASA AD 2022-0150R1, dated July 10, 2024 (EASA
AD 2022-0150R1). EASA AD 2022-0150R1 does not require repeating the DPI
because Airbus Helicopters revised the airworthiness limitations
section (ALS) of the aircraft maintenance manual to include the
repetitive inspection requirements addressed by EASA AD 2022-0150. The
FAA is considering further rulemaking action to require incorporating
the revised ALS into the existing maintenance manual or instructions
for continued airworthiness and the existing maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable, as terminating action for the repetitive
inspections.
The FAA removed paragraph (h)(4) of the proposed AD, which replaced
the text ``affected parts'' with ``serviceable parts,'' since this
exception is not necessary.
The FAA revised paragraph (j) of the proposed AD, which would have
prohibited special flight permits if there were a crack in the TRB, to
instead
[[Page 40027]]
prohibit all special flight permits. The TRB is a critical component of
the helicopter, and flight in exceedance of the compliance threshold of
this AD, as well as flight with a crack in the TRB, should not be
permitted.
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,
considered the 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 and other changes described previously, this AD
is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes increase the
economic burden on any operator.
Related AD
AD 2021-10-25 applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4
and EC 130 T2 helicopters. AD 2021-10-25 was prompted by EASA AD 2020-
0187, dated August 21, 2020. The FAA issued AD 2021-10-25 to address
geometrical non-conformities of the TRBs, which could lead to crack
initiation and consequent blade failure and possible loss of control of
the helicopter. AD 2021-10-25 requires cleaning the TRBs, visual and
dye penetrant inspections for cracks in the TRBs, a dimensional
inspection to verify conformity of the TRB, and corrective actions if
necessary. AD 2021-10-25 and this AD require a DPI of the same TRB
part-numbers for the same helicopter models. However, AD 2021-10-25
requires performing a DPI of the drain holes, whereas this AD requires
performing a DPI of the area surrounding the drain holes.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0150, which specifies procedures for
repetitive DPIs on certain part-numbered TRBs for cracking and,
depending on the results, replacing the TRB with a serviceable TRB.
Also, EASA AD 2022-0150 prohibits installing certain TRBs on any
helicopter unless its requirements are met.
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 275 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 AD.
Inspecting a TRB takes 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of up to
$850 per helicopter (up to 10 affected TRBs per helicopter) and
$233,750 for the U.S. fleet. If required, replacing a TRB takes 4 work-
hours and parts cost $4,175 for an estimated cost of $4,515 per TRB.
Revising the maintenance or inspection program as an optional
terminating action, if done, takes 1 work-hour, for an estimated cost
of $85 per helicopter.
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(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-16-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23106; Docket No. FAA-
2024-0765; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00981-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 22,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4 and EC 130
T2 helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6410, Tail Rotor
Blades.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the determination that fatigue cracks
may develop at the root section of a tail rotor blade (TRB). The FAA
is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracks on a TRB. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in crack propagation, TRB
failure, 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 2022-0150,
dated July 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0150).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0150
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0150 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0150 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2022-0150.
[[Page 40028]]
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0150
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) Optional Terminating Action
Revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of your existing
helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued
airworthiness and your existing approved maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable, to include the repetitive inspections in
paragraph (g) of this AD is terminating action for the repetitive
inspections required by this AD.
(l) 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 (m) 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.
(m) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact C. Jason Franklin,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-5291; email:
[email protected].
(n) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0150,
dated July 21, 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 August 1, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-15657 Filed 8-15-25; 8:45 am]
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