Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 65 (Monday, April 7, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14903-14904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05776]



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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 65 / Monday, April 7, 2025 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 14903]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2541; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00006-R; 
Amendment 39-22977; AD 2025-05-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This AD 
was prompted by a report of a pilot collective pitch stick handle grip 
that broke when pulled. This AD requires replacing certain pilot 
collective pitch stick handle grips and prohibits installing those 
pilot collective pitch stick handle grips. These actions are specified 
in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is 
incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 12, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 12, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2541; 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:
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 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-2024-2541.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hye Yoon Jang, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (206) 231-3758; 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 certain Airbus 
Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on November 29, 2024 (89 FR 94626). The NPRM was prompted by 
EASA AD 2023-0002, dated January 5, 2023, issued by EASA, which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 
2023-0002) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that a pilot 
collective pitch stick handle grip broke into two pieces when a 
maintenance technician pulled the handle grip during helicopter 
maintenance. According to the MCAI, following investigation and 
analysis, the handle grip material (Rilsan) is sensitive to aging, with 
consequent degradation of the structural strength of the handle grip.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing certain pilot 
collective pitch stick handle grips and prohibit installing those pilot 
collective pitch stick handle grips. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 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 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2023-0002 requires replacing handle grips P/N 41A27-1377-00 
installed on pilot collective pitch sticks before June 15, 2022, and 
replacing certain part-numbered pilot collective pitch sticks complete 
with a handle grip. EASA AD 2023-0002 also prohibits installing the 
affected handle grips and pilot collective pitch sticks equipped with 
an affected handle grip on any helicopter.
    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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI requires using Airbus Helicopters ASB SA341 67.06 and ASB 
SA342 67.06 (co-published as one document and referred to as ASB No. 
``GAZ-67.06''), Revision 0, dated June 15, 2022, for compliance, and 
allows using future revisions of that material, whereas this AD instead 
requires using Airbus Helicopters ASB No. GAZ-67.06, Revision 1, dated 
November 2, 2022, and allows using future revisions of that material as 
specified in the Ref. Publications section of EASA AD 2023-0002, which 
is incorporated by reference.

[[Page 14904]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 16 helicopters of U.S. 
registry.
    Replacing the collective pitch handle grip takes 4 work-hours and 
parts cost $230 for an estimated cost of $570 per helicopter and $9,120 
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.

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(f), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2025-05-05 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22977; Docket No. FAA-
2024-2541; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00006-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 12, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J 
helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2023-0002, dated January 5, 2023 
(EASA AD 2023-0002).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 2077, Flight 
Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a pilot collective pitch 
stick handle grip that broke into two pieces when a maintenance 
technician pulled the handle grip during helicopter maintenance. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the pilot collective 
pitch stick handle grip. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in reduced integrity of the flight control system and 
subsequent 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, EASA AD 2023-0002.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0002

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0002 defines ``the ASB'' as ``AH Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) SA341 67.06 and ASB SA342 67.06 (published as 
a single document, also ref. No. ASB GAZ-67.06),'' this AD requires 
replacing that text with ``Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin 
No. GAZ-67.06, Revision 1, dated November 2, 2022.''
    (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0002 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0002 specifies 
discarding certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from 
service.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0002.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0002 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

(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. Information may be emailed 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) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3758; 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 2023-0002, 
dated January 5, 2023.
    (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 Pkwy., 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 February 26, 2025.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-05776 Filed 4-4-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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