Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 177 (Friday, September 11, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56161-56162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20001]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0463; Product Identifier 2013-SW-041-AD; Amendment 
39-21246; AD 2015-17-01R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; removal of airworthiness directive (AD).

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SUMMARY: The FAA is removing AD 2015-17-01, which applied to certain 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, 
AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and 
AS355NP helicopters. AD 2015-17-01 required inspections of each tail 
rotor pitch horn assembly (pitch horn) for a crack, replacement of a 
cracked pitch horn, and a repetitive visual inspection of certain pitch 
horns. AD 2015-17-01 is no longer necessary because the cause of the 
unsafe condition has been removed from all affected helicopter models. 
Accordingly, the FAA is removing AD 2015-17-01.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 11, 2020.

ADDRESSES: 

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0463; 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, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, 
General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by removing AD 2015-17-01, Amendment 39-18234 (80 FR 50554, 
August 20, 2015) (``AD 2015-17-01''), that applied to certain Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, 
AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP 
helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 12, 
2020 (85 FR 35814). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that AD 
2015-17-01 is no longer necessary because the unsafe condition no 
longer exists on Model AS350 and AS355 helicopters. The NPRM proposed 
to remove AD 2015-17-01. The FAA is issuing this AD to remove AD 2015-
17-01.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment 
received. Mr. Warren LaBare indicated support for the NPRM.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor 
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD adds no cost. This AD removes AD 2015-17-01 from 14 CFR 
part 39; therefore, operators are no longer required to show compliance 
with that AD.

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.

[[Page 56162]]

This regulation is within the scope of that authority.

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.

Adoption of 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2015-17-01, Amendment 39-18234 (80 FR 50554, August 20, 2015), and 
adding the following new AD:

2015-17-01R1 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21246; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0463; Product Identifier 2013-SW-041-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 11, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-17-01, Amendment 39-18234 (80 FR 50554, 
August 20, 2015).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, 
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, 
AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, certificated in 
any category, with tail rotor hub pitch horn (pitch horn) assembly, 
part number (P/N) 350A121368.01, 350A121368.02, 350A121368.03, or 
350A121368.04, with a pitch horn, P/N 350A121368.XX, where XX stands 
for a two-digit dash number, installed. The pitch horn may be marked 
with either the pitch horn assembly P/N or pitch horn P/N.

(d) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Matt Fuller, AD 
Program Manager, Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness 
Products Section, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
[email protected].

    Issued on September 3, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-20001 Filed 9-10-20; 8:45 am]
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