[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 176 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44353-44356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17715]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2542; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00397-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)
2022-19-13, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E,
AS355-F, AS355-F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. AD 2022-
19-13 requires incorporating into existing maintenance records certain
requirements (airworthiness limitations). Since the FAA issued AD 2022-
19-13, a determination was made that new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require
revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing
maintenance manual (MM) or instructions for continued airworthiness
(ICAs) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by October 30, 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-2025-2542; 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 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-2025-2542.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Williams, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (316) 946-4134; 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 to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-2542;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00397-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
[[Page 44354]]
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
Matthew Williams, 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 2022-19-13, Amendment 39-22182 (87 FR 57814,
September 22, 2022) (AD 2022-19-13), for Airbus Helicopters Model
AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. AD
2022-19-13 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued AD 2021-0193, dated August 20, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0193) to
address the identification of certain parts needing maintenance
actions, including life limits and maintenance tasks.
AD 2022-19-13 requires incorporating into existing maintenance
records certain requirements (airworthiness limitations), as specified
in EASA AD 2021-0193. The FAA issued AD 2022-19-13 to address the
failure of certain parts, which could result in the loss of control of
the helicopter.
Actions Since AD 2022-19-13 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2022-19-13, EASA superseded AD 2021-0193
and issued EASA AD 2024-0134, dated July 10, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0134)
(also referred to as the MCAI), to address an unsafe condition on all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS 355 E, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, AS
355 N, and AS 355 NP helicopters. The MCAI states that new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations and repetitive checks
requirements have been developed. Additionally, the MCAI advises that
the airworthiness limitations are identified as mandatory for continued
airworthiness and that AH [Airbus Helicopters] has issued applicable
ALS revisions to specify new and more restrictive life limits and
maintenance tasks, which includes repetitive checks and inspection
requirements. The FAA is issuing this proposed AD to prevent failure of
critical parts and primary structural components, which if not
addressed, could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2542.
Relationship Between This Proposed AD and Other Relevant Rulemaking
EASA AD 2021-0193 notes that the requirements of EASA AD 2010-0006,
dated January 7, 2010 (EASA AD 2010-0006) (which prompted FAA AD 2011-
22-05 R1, Amendment 39-17765 (79 FR 14169, March 13, 2014) (AD 2011-22-
05 R1)) and EASA AD 2015-0094, dated May 29, 2015 (EASA AD 2015-0094)
(which prompted FAA AD 2016-25-20, Amendment 39-18746 (81 FR 94954,
December 27, 2016) (AD 2016-25-20)) have been incorporated into the
applicable ALS specified in EASA AD 2021-0193.
Accordingly, this proposed AD does not supersede AD 2011-22-05 R1
or AD 2016-25-20. Rather, the FAA has determined that a stand-alone AD
is more appropriate to address the changes in EASA AD 2024-0134, which
superseded EASA AD 2021-0193. Therefore, accomplishment of the required
actions in this proposed AD terminates all of the requirements of AD
2011-22-05 R1 and AD 2016-25-20 for Model AS355E, AS 355-F, AS 355-F1,
AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters only.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0134, which specifies replacing
components before exceeding their life limits and accomplishing all
applicable maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals specified
in the ALS as defined in EASA AD 2024-0134. Depending on the results of
the maintenance tasks, EASA AD 2024-0134 requires accomplishing
corrective action(s) or contacting Airbus Helicopters for approved
instructions and accomplishing those instructions.
Additionally, EASA AD 2024-0134 specifies revising the Aircraft
Maintenance Programme (AMP) by incorporating the limitations, tasks,
and associated thresholds and intervals described in the specified ALS,
as applicable. Revising the AMP constitutes terminating action for the
requirement to record accomplishment of the actions of replacing
components before exceeding their life limits and accomplishing
maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals specified in the
applicable ALS as specified in EASA AD 2024-0134 for demonstration of
AD compliance on a continued basis.
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 civil aviation authority
(CAA) 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 and material 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 actions specified in EASA AD
2024-0134, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this proposed AD.
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 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 2024-0134 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD
would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2024-0134 in its
entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences
identified as exceptions
[[Page 44355]]
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 2024-0134
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 2024-0134. Material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0134 for
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2025-2542 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 45 helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD.
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Revise ALS............................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $0 $85 $3,825
= $85.
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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 2022-19-13, Amendment 39-22182 (87
FR 57814, September 22, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2025-2542; Project Identifier
MCAI-2024-00397-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 30, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
(1) This AD replaces AD 2022-19-13, Amendment 39-22182 (87 FR
57814, September 22, 2022).
(2) This AD affects AD 2011-22-05 R1, Amendment 39-17765 (79 FR
14169, March 13, 2014) (AD 2011-22-05); and AD 2016-25-20, Amendment
39-18746 (81 FR 94954, December 27, 2016) (AD 2016-25-20).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, AS 355-F, AS
355-F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, certificated in
any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by new or more restrictive airworthiness
limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of
critical parts and primary structural components, which if not
addressed, could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
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 2024-0134,
dated July 10, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0134).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0134
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0134 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of
EASA AD 2024-0134.
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0134 specifies ``Within
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved
AMP'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``Within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD, revise the airworthiness
limitations section of the existing maintenance manual or
instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable''.
(4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0134 is on or before the applicable
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0134 or within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0134.
(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been
done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and
intervals, including life limits, are allowed unless they are
approved as specified in the
[[Page 44356]]
provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2024-
0134.
(j) Terminating Action for ADs 2011-22-05 R1 and 2016-25-20
(1) Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all
requirements of AD 2011-22-05 R1 for Model AS355E, AS 355-F, AS 355-
F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters only.
(2) Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all
requirements of AD 2016-25-20 for Model AS355E, AS 355-F, AS 355-F1,
AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters only.
(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 local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(l) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Matthew Williams,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 946-4134; 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 2024-0134,
dated July 11, 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 the 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 September 9, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-17715 Filed 9-12-25; 8:45 am]
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