90088 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 249 / Friday, December 29, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 

to the address identified in paragraph 

(j)(2) of this AD or email to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. If mailing

information, also submit information by

email. 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.

(j) Additional Information

(1) Refer to EASA AD 2023–0007,

dated January 13, 2023, for related 

information. This EASA AD may be 

found in the AD docket at 

regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA– 

2023–1819. 

(2) For more information about this

AD, contact Sungmo Cho, Aviation 

Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart 

Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 

11590; phone: (781) 238–7241; email: 

sungmo.d.cho@faa.gov. 

(3) Service information identified in

this AD that is not incorporated by 

reference is available at the addresses 

specified in paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of 

this AD. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal

Register approved the incorporation by 

reference of the service information 

listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) You must use this service

information as applicable to do the 

actions required by this AD, unless the 

AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Piaggio Aerospace Service Bulletin

80–0489, Revision 2, dated November 

30, 2022. 

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For service information identified

in this AD, contact Piaggio Aviation 

S.p.A., P180 Customer Support, via

Pionieri e Aviatori d’Italia, snc—16154

Genoa, Italy; phone: +39 331 679 74 93;

email: technicalsupport@

piaggioaerospace.it.

(4) You may view this service

information at the FAA, Airworthiness 

Products Section, Operational Safety 

Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 

64106. 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-locationsoremailfr.inspection@

nara.gov. 

Issued on December 8, 2023. 

Victor Wicklund, 

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–28769 Filed 12–28–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–1894; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2022–00334–R; Amendment 

39–22635; AD 2023–25–08] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo 

S.p.a. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109E, A109S, 

AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII 

helicopters. This AD was prompted by 

multiple reports of excessive axial play 

on the ball bearing of the lower half of 

the main rotor (MR) rotating scissor 

assembly. This AD requires one-time 

scissor coupling and axial play 

inspections and repetitive quantitative 

axial play inspections and, depending 

on the results, additional inspections 

and replacing certain parts. This AD 

also requires reporting information and 

prohibits installing certain parts unless 

certain inspections have been 

accomplished. These requirements 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 February 2, 

2024. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of February 2, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2023–1894; 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, 

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 EASA material identified in this

final rule, contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, 

Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; 

email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet 

easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA 

material on the EASA website at 

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

• You may view this service

information 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 in the AD docket at 

regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA– 

2023–1894. 

Other Related Service Information: 

For Leonardo Helicopters service 

information identified in this final rule, 

contact Leonardo S.p.A Helicopters, 

Emanuele Bufano, Head of 

Airworthiness, Viale G. Agusta 520, 

21017 C. Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; 

telephone (+39) 0331–225074; fax (+39) 

0031–229046; or at 

customerportal.leonardocompany.com/ 

en-US. You may also view this service 

information at the FAA contact 

information under Material 

Incorporated by Reference above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Jared Hyman, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (781) 

238–7799; email 9-AVS-AIR-BACOCOS@faa.gov. 

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 Leonardo S.p.a. Model 

A109E, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and 

AW119 MKII helicopters. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

October 3, 2023 (88 FR 67999). The 

NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 

2022–0037, dated March 7, 2022; 

corrected March 15, 2022 (EASA AD 

2022–0037), issued by EASA, which is 

the Technical Agent for the Member 

States of the European Union. EASA AD 

2022–0037 states that there have been 

multiple reports of excessive axial play 

on the ball bearing of the lower half of 

the MR rotating scissor assembly. In 

some cases, this resulted in 

dislodgement of the ball bearing from its 

seat. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require one-time MR rotating scissor 

coupling and axial play inspections and 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 249 / Friday, December 29, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 90089 

repetitive quantitative axial play 

inspections and, depending on the 

results, additional inspections and 

replacing certain parts. The NPRM also 

proposed to require reporting 

information and prohibit installing 

certain parts unless certain inspections 

have been accomplished. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to detect and address 

any excessive axial play of the MR 

rotating scissor assembly. The unsafe 

condition, if not addressed, could result 

in failure of the MR rotating scissor 

assembly, loss of control of the 

helicopter, and subsequent damage to 

the helicopter and injury to occupants. 

See EASA AD 2022–0037 for additional 

background information. 

You may examine EASA AD 2022– 

0037 in the AD docket at regulations.gov 

under Docket No. FAA–2023–1894. 

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 its AD 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. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022– 

0037 which requires, for certain 

applicable model helicopters, 

accomplishing one-time MR rotating 

scissor coupling and axial play checks. 

Depending on the results, EASA AD 

2022–0037 requires repetitively 

measuring the axial play or replacing 

certain parts. For all applicable model 

helicopters, EASA AD 2022–0037 

requires accomplishing repetitive 

qualitative and quantitative axial play 

checks and, depending on the results, 

repetitively measuring the axial play or 

replacing certain parts. Furthermore, 

EASA AD 2022–0037 requires reporting 

certain information to the manufacturer 

and prohibits installing certain parts on 

any helicopter unless the part has 

passed required inspections. 

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 ADDRESSES. 

Other Related Service Information 

The FAA reviewed Leonardo 

Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 

No. 109EP–177, Leonardo Helicopters 

ASB No. 109S–105, Leonardo 

Helicopters ASB No. 109SP–149, and 

Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 119–111, 

each Revision A and dated March 3, 

2022. This service information specifies 

procedures for inspecting the MR 

rotating scissor coupling and axial play, 

measuring the axial play, inspecting the 

qualitative axial play, inspecting the 

quantitative axial play, and replacing 

components of the MR rotating scissor 

assembly (scissor bracket flange 

assembly, rotary scissor sleeve, lower 

scissor lever assembly, and upper 

scissor lever assembly) and bushings. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

EASA AD 2022–0037 applies to 

Model A109LUH helicopters, whereas 

this AD does not because that model is 

not FAA-type certificated. EASA AD 

2022–0037 refers to several actions as a 

‘‘check,’’ whereas this AD refers to those 

actions as an ‘‘inspection’’ instead 

because those actions must be 

accomplished by persons authorized 

under 14 CFR 43.3. EASA AD 2022– 

0037 requires discarding certain parts, 

whereas this AD requires removing 

those parts from service instead. 

Service information referenced in 

EASA AD 2022–0037 specifies to 

contact Leonardo Helicopters for 

instructions as a result of certain MR 

rotating scissor maximum torque force 

check (inspection) results, whereas this 

AD requires accomplishing corrective 

action in accordance with a method 

approved by the FAA, EASA, or 

Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters’ EASA 

Design Organization Approval. EASA 

AD 2022–0037 requires interpreting the 

MR rotating scissor coupling and axial 

play inspection results (PASSED or 

FAILED) by using its required service 

information, whereas this AD requires 

interpreting those results by using tables 

in the body of this AD and recorded 

results of certain inspections. 

Furthermore, if the scissor coupling 

inspection result is an ‘‘UNCERTAIN 

RESULT,’’ the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2022–0037 

specifies contacting Leonardo 

Helicopters, whereas this AD considers 

an ‘‘UNCERTAIN RESULT’’ as 

‘‘FAILED.’’ 

EASA AD 2022–0037 requires 

accomplishing repetitive qualitative 

axial play checks, whereas this AD does 

not. EASA AD 2022–0037 requires 

quantitative axial play checks within 

intervals not to exceed 200 flight hours, 

whereas this AD requires quantitative 

axial play inspections within intervals 

not to exceed 55 hours time-in-service. 

The service information referenced in 

EASA AD 2022–0037 cautions that only 

approved personnel are permitted to 

perform the bushing replacement, 

whereas this AD does not include that 

caution. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 204 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. 

The one-time MR rotating scissor 

coupling and axial play inspections will 

take approximately 2 work-hours for an 

estimated cost of $170 per helicopter 

and up to $34,680 for the U.S. fleet. 

A quantitative axial play inspection 

will take approximately 1 work-hour for 

an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter 

and $17,340 for the U.S. fleet per 

inspection cycle. 

Measuring the axial play will take 

approximately 1 work-hour for an 

estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and 

$17,340 for the U.S. fleet per inspection 

cycle. 

Certain corrective action that may be 

needed as a result of an inspection can 

vary significantly from helicopter to 

helicopter. The FAA has no data to 

determine the costs to accomplish the 

corrective action or the number of 

helicopters that may require corrective 

action. 

Replacing the scissor bracket flange 

assembly will take approximately 4 

work-hours and parts will cost 

approximately $8,099–11,574 

(depending on part number) for an 

estimated cost of $8,439–11,914 per 

replacement. Alternatively, replacing its 

bushings will take approximately 2 

work-hours and parts will cost 

approximately $225 for an estimated 

cost of $395 per replacement. 

Replacing each rotary scissor sleeve 

will take approximately 2 work-hours 

and parts will cost approximately $565 

for an estimated cost of $735 per 

replacement. 

Replacing the lower scissor lever 

assembly (including the washer and 

retaining bolt) will take 2 work-hours 

and parts will cost approximately 

$3,308–3,385 (depending on part 

number) for an estimated cost of 

$3,478–3,555 per replacement. 

Alternatively, replacing its bushings 

will take approximately 2 work-hours 

and parts will cost approximately $225 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
90090 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 249 / Friday, December 29, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 

for an estimated cost of $395 per 

replacement. 

Replacing the upper scissor lever 

assembly will take approximately 2 

work-hours and parts will cost 

approximately $2,219–3,015 (depending 

on part number) for an estimated cost of 

$2,389–3,185 per replacement. 

Alternatively, replacing its bushings 

will take approximately 2 work-hours 

and parts will cost approximately $225 

for an estimated cost of $395 per 

replacement. 

Reporting the inspection results to the 

manufacturer will take approximately 1 

work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 

per report. 

The FAA has included all known 

costs in its cost estimate. According to 

the manufacturer, however, some of the 

costs of this AD may be covered under 

warranty, thereby reducing the cost 

impact on affected operators. 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

A federal agency may not conduct or 

sponsor, and a person is not required to 

respond to, nor shall a person be subject 

to a penalty for failure to comply with 

a collection of information subject to the 

requirements of the Paperwork 

Reduction Act unless that collection of 

information displays a current valid 

OMB Control Number. The OMB 

Control Number for this information 

collection is 2120–0056. Public 

reporting for this collection of 

information is estimated to take 

approximately 1 hour per response, 

including the time for reviewing 

instructions, searching existing data 

sources, gathering and maintaining the 

data needed, and completing and 

reviewing the collection of information. 

All responses to this collection of 

information are mandatory. Send 

comments regarding this burden 

estimate or any other aspect of this 

collection of information, including 

suggestions for reducing this burden, to: 

Information Collection Clearance 

Officer, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 10101 Hillwood 

Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177–1524. 

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 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

2023–25–08 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 

39–22635; Docket No. FAA–2023–1894; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2022–00334–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective February 2, 2024. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. 

Model A109E, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and 

AW119 MKII helicopters, certificated in any 

category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6200, Main Rotor System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by multiple reports 

of excessive axial play on the ball bearing of 

the lower half of the main rotor rotating 

scissor assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD 

to detect and address any excessive axial 

play of the main rotor rotating scissor 

assembly. The unsafe condition, if not 

addressed, could result in failure of the main 

rotor rotating scissor assembly, loss of control 

of the helicopter, and subsequent damage to 

the helicopter and injury to occupants. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Requirements 

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this 

AD: Comply with all required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency AD 2022–0037, dated March 

7, 2022; corrected March 15, 2022 (EASA AD 

2022–0037). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022–0037 

(1) Where EASA AD 2022–0037 defines 

Affected part ‘‘as identified in the ASB;’’ for 

this AD, replace that text with ‘‘as identified 

in Table 2 of Leonardo Helicopters Alert 

Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 109EP–177, 

Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 109S–105, 

Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 109SP–149, or 

Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 119–111, each 

Revision A and dated March 3, 2022, and as 

applicable to your model helicopter.’’ 

(2) Where EASA AD 2022–0037 requires 

compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD 

requires using hours time-in-service. 

(3) Where EASA AD 2022–0037 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(4) Where EASA AD 2022–0037 refers to a 

torque force check, this AD requires a torque 

force inspection. Where EASA AD 2022– 

0037 refers to a scissor coupling check, this 

AD requires a scissor coupling inspection. 

Where EASA AD 2022–0037 refers to an axial 

play check, this AD requires an axial play 

inspection. Where EASA AD 2022–0037 

refers to a quantitative axial play check, this 

AD requires a quantitative axial play 

inspection. Where EASA AD 2022–0037 

refers to a dimensional check, this AD 

requires a dimensional inspection. 

(5) Where the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2022–0037 specifies 

to use tooling, this AD allows the use of 

equivalent tooling. 

(6) Where the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2022–0037 specifies 

discarding parts, this AD requires removing 

those parts from service. 

(7) Where the service information 

referenced in paragraphs (1), (4.2), (5.2), and 

(6) of EASA AD 2022–0037 specifies to 

contact Leonardo Helicopters for instructions 

as a result of the M/R rotating scissor 

maximum torque force check, this AD 

requires corrective action done in accordance 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 249 / Friday, December 29, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 90091 

with a method approved by the Manager, 

International Validation Branch, FAA; or 

EASA; or Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters’ EASA 

Design Organization Approval (DOA). If 

approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-authorized signature. 

(8) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022– 

0037 specifies to ‘‘interpret the results 

(PASSED or FAILED) in accordance with the 

instructions of PART I of the ASB;’’ for this 

AD, replace that text with, ‘‘interpret the 

results by using Tables 1 and 2 to paragraph 

(h)(8) of this AD and the inspection results 

recorded in Annex E of the service 

information referenced in EASA AD 2022– 

0037.’’ 

TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (h)(8)—SCISSOR COUPLING INSPECTION INTERPRETATION

Maximum 

torque force 

check 

Dimensional check 2nd maximum torque 

force check 

Scissor coupling check 

outcome 

Passed ........................................... N/A ................................................ N/A ................................................ Passed. 

Failed ............................................. Passed .......................................... Passed .......................................... Passed. 

Failed ............................................. Failed ............................................ N/A ................................................ Failed. 

Failed ............................................. Passed .......................................... Failed ............................................ Failed. 

TABLE 2 TO PARAGRAPH (h)(8)—AXIAL

PLAY INSPECTION INTERPRETATION

Axial play value is 0.25 mm or less Passed. 

Axial play value is more than 0.25 

mm or the ball bearing is dislodged.

Failed. 

(9) This AD does not require compliance 

with paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022–0037. 

This AD also does not include Note 1 of 

EASA AD 2022–0037. 

(10) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 

2022–0037 specifies compliance times of 

‘‘200 FH;’’ for this AD, replace each instance 

of that text with, ‘‘55 hours time-in-service.’’ 

This AD does not include Note 3 of EASA 

AD 2022–0037. 

(11) Where the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2022–0037 cautions 

that only approved personnel (Leonardo 

Helicopters facilities, Leonardo authorized 

component repair centers within the 

approved capabilities or customers trained by 

Leonardo Helicopters for specific activities) 

are permitted to perform the bushing 

replacement; this AD does not include those 

cautions. 

(12) Where paragraph (10) of EASA AD 

2022–0037 specifies reporting inspection 

results (including the inspection results of no 

findings) to Leonardo within 30 days, this 

AD requires reporting inspection results at 

the applicable time in paragraph (h)(12)(i) or 

(ii) of this AD. 

(i) If the inspection was done on or after 

the effective date of this AD: Submit the 

report within 30 days after the inspection. 

(ii) If the inspection was done before the 

effective date of this AD: Submit the report 

within 30 days after the effective date of this 

AD. 

(13) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’ 

section of EASA AD 2022–0037. 

(i) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits are prohibited. 

(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: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(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 Jared Hyman, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (781) 238– 

7799; email 9-AVS-AIR-BACO-COS@faa.gov. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2022–0037, dated March 7, 2022; 

corrected March 15, 2022. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA AD 2022–0037, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 

000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet 

easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA 

material on the EASA website at 

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(4) You may view this service information 

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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. 

Issued on December 14, 2023. 

Victor Wicklund, 

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–28773 Filed 12–28–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–2404; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2023–01268–A; Amendment 

39–22648; AD 2023–26–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus 

Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC– 

24 airplanes. This AD was prompted by 

a determination that the titanium 

threaded bolts at the forward end of the 

short rudder trim tab actuating rods 

could be subject to unexpectedly high 

oscillating loads due to aerodynamic 

forces acting on the rudder trim tab. 

This AD requires periodic replacement 

of affected titanium threaded bolts, a 

one-time inspection of the rudder mass 

balance arm and other elements of the 

rudder trim tab installation for correct 

attachment, damage (gouges), cracks, 

deformation, surface finish, and 

corrosion on any surrounding parts and, 

depending on findings, accomplishment 

of applicable corrective actions, as 

specified in a European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) emergency 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 January 3, 

2024. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of January 3, 2024. 

The FAA must receive comments on 

this AD by February 12, 2024. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1