Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 64 (Friday, April 4, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14717-14719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05798]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2411; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00874-R; 
Amendment 39-22981; AD 2025-05-09]
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 SA330J helicopters. This AD was prompted by 
the determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing 
maintenance records by incorporating new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations, as 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 9, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 9, 2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2411; 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 EASA AD, 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 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-2024-2411.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Hein, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 
946-4116; 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 SA330J helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
October 24, 2024 (89 FR 84836). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2023-
0146, dated July 14, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0146), issued by EASA, which is 
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA 
advises that airworthiness limitations and certification maintenance 
instructions are identified as mandatory

[[Page 14718]]

for continued airworthiness and that Revision 7 of SA 330 J Maintenance 
Program--PUMA 330 J Airworthiness Limitations 5.99, Edition 2, date 
code 06-22, has been issued to specify all service life limits and 
maintenance tasks for SA 330 J helicopters and separate the 
airworthiness limitations from the Master Servicing Recommendations 
Manual (P.R.E.). According to EASA, failure to accomplish these 
instructions could result in an unsafe condition.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing 
maintenance records by incorporating new or more restrictive actions 
and associated thresholds and intervals, including any life limits, 
specified in EASA AD 2023-0146, described previously, as incorporated 
by reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in 
the regulatory text of this AD and except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this AD and the EASA AD.''
    You may examine EASA AD 2023-0146 in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2411.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from the University of Virginia Aviation 
Club, which supported the NPRM without change.

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 
its AD referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered 
the comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting 
the AD as proposed, Except for minor editorial changes, e.g., 
correcting the Joint Aircraft System Component title from ``Main 
Gearbox Oil Cooler'' to ``Rotorcraft Cooling Fan System''. and any 
other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in 
the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any 
operator.
    Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0146, which requires replacing 
components before exceeding their life limits and accomplishing 
maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals specified in the ALS 
as defined within. Depending on the results of the maintenance tasks, 
EASA AD 2023-0146 requires accomplishing corrective action(s) or 
contacting AH [Airbus Helicopters] for approved instructions and 
accomplishing those instructions. EASA AD 2023-0146 also requires 
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 
to record accomplishment of maintenance tasks within thresholds and 
intervals specified in the applicable ALS as required by EASA AD 2023-
0146 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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    EASA AD 2023-0146 requires, as individual tasks, replacing certain 
components before exceeding applicable life limits, accomplishing 
certain maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals as specified 
in the ALS, as defined within, and depending on the results, 
accomplishing corrective action, whereas this AD does not. EASA AD 
2023-0146 also requires revising the approved AMP by incorporating the 
limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals described 
in that ALS within 12 months, whereas this AD requires revising the 
existing maintenance records by incorporating the limitations, tasks, 
and associated thresholds and intervals described in that ALS within 30 
days, and clarifies that if the initial instance of an incorporated 
limitation or threshold therein is reached before 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, you still have up to 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD to accomplish the corresponding task.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 6 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this AD.
    Revising the existing maintenance records takes approximately 1 
work-hour, for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $510 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.

[[Page 14719]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2025-05-09 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22981; Docket No. FAA-
2024-2411; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00874-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 9, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6322, Rotorcraft 
Cooling Fan System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by new and more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
certain parts, which if not addressed, could result in subsequent 
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 2023-0146, 
dated July 14, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0146).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0146

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0146 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0146.
    (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0146 specifies ``Within 
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved 
AMP;'' for this AD, replace that text with ``Within 30 days after 
the effective date of this AD, revise maintenance records required 
by 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2) or 135.439(a)(2), as applicable for the 
helicopter.''
    (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0146 is on or before the applicable 
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0146 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 
2023-0146.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    No alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits, are allowed for compliance with paragraph (g) 
of this AD unless they are approved as specified in the provisions 
of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2023-0146.

(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 Sec.  39.19. In accordance with Sec.  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. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD or email to: [email protected]. If mailing 
information, also submit information by email.
    (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 Adam Hein, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; phone: (316) 946-4116; 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 2023-0146, 
dated July 14, 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 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 March 4, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-05798 Filed 4-3-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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