75470 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 179 / Monday, September 16, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

(4) The following material was approved 

for IBR on March 7, 2024 (89 FR 6411, 

February 1, 2024). 

(i) EASA AD 2023–0091, dated May 5, 

2023. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(5) The following material was approved 

for IBR on July 11, 2023 (88 FR 36926, June 

6, 2023). 

(i) EASA AD 2022–0192, dated September 

23, 2022. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(6) The following material was approved 

for IBR on August 19, 2022 (87 FR 42318, 

July 15, 2022). 

(i) EASA AD 2021–0258, dated November 

17, 2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(7) The following material was approved 

for IBR on August 9, 2022 (87 FR 39743, July 

5, 2022). 

(i) EASA AD 2021–0204, dated September 

14, 2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(8) The following material was approved 

for IBR on May 3, 2022 (87 FR 17939, March 

29, 2022). 

(i) EASA AD 2021–0093, dated March 30, 

2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(9) The following material was approved 

for IBR on January 4, 2021 (85 FR 75838, 

November 27, 2020). 

(i) EASA AD 2020–0111R2, dated June 16, 

2020. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(10) The following material was approved 

for IBR on November 29, 2019 (84 FR 56935, 

October 24, 2019). 

(i) Airbus A300–600 Airworthiness 

Limitations Section (ALS), Part 2, ‘‘Damage 

Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items 

(DT–ALI),’’ Revision 03, dated December 14, 

2018. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(11) For EASA ADs 2020–0111R2, 2021– 

0093, 2021–0204, 2021–0258, 2022–0192, 

2023–0091, and 2024–0009, contact EASA, 

Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, 

Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 

ADs@easa.europa.eu; website 

easa.europa.eu. You may find these EASA 

ADs on the EASA website at 

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(12) For Airbus SAS material identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness 

Office—EAW, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine 

No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; 

telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 

93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@

airbus.com; website airbus.com. 

(13) You may view this material that is 

incorporated by reference at the FAA, 

Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 

Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 

Moines, WA. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

206–231–3195. 

(14) 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 July 30, 2024. 

Peter A. White, 

Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate 

Management Division, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–20835 Filed 9–13–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2024–1291; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2022–00901–R; Amendment 

39–22811; AD 2024–16–05] 

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 all 

Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J 

helicopters. This AD was prompted by 

a report of a main rotor gearbox (MGB) 

flange assembly coupling (coupling) that 

was incorrectly assembled. This AD 

requires a one-time visual inspection to 

determine correct assembly of each 

sliding flange installed on each MGB 

coupling, and if necessary, further 

corrective actions. This AD also 

prohibits installing certain MGB 

couplings or any MGB equipped with 

certain MGB couplings on any 

helicopter. 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 October 21, 

2024. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of October 21, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2024–1291; 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: 

• For EASA material identified in this 

AD, contact EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 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 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–2024–1291. 

Other Related Service Information: 

For Airbus Helicopters material, contact 

Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum 

Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; phone 

(972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax 

(972) 641–3775; or at airbus.com/en/ 

products-services/helicopters/hcareservices/airbusworld. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hal 

Jensen, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA; 

3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 

CA 90712; telephone (303) 342–1080; 

email hal.jensen@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2022–0140, 

dated July 7, 2022 (EASA AD 2022– 

0140), to correct an unsafe condition on 

Airbus Helicopters Model SA 330 J 

helicopters, all serial numbers. 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to Airbus Helicopters Model 

SA330J helicopters, certificated in any 

category. The NPRM published in the 

Federal Register on May 15, 2024 (89 

FR 42397). The NPRM was prompted by 

a report of an incorrectly assembled 

MGB coupling part number (P/N) 

330A32–9392–01 which was installed 

in the reverse position, deviating from 

the assembly instructions. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require accomplishing the actions 

specified in EASA AD 2022–0140, 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.’’ 

This condition, which if not addressed, 

could lead to loss of the drive 

transmission from the left-hand or righthand engine, and subsequent loss of 

control of the helicopter. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 179 / Monday, September 16, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 75471 

You may examine EASA AD 2022– 

0140 in the AD docket at regulations.gov 

under Docket No. FAA–2024–1291. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received no comments on 

the NPRM or on the determination of 

the costs. 

Conclusion 

These helicopters have been approved 

by EASA and are approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to the 

FAA’s bilateral agreement with the 

European Union, EASA has notified the 

FAA about the unsafe condition 

described in its AD. 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 helicopters. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

Under 1 CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2022–0140 requires a onetime inspection of the left-hand and 

right-hand MGB coupling P/N 330A32– 

9392–01 for correct assembly. If any 

MGB coupling is incorrectly assembled, 

EASA AD 2022–0140 requires replacing 

an affected MGB coupling with a 

serviceable MGB coupling. EASA AD 

2022–0140 also prohibits installing an 

affected MGB coupling or an MGB 

equipped with an affected coupling 

installed, on any helicopter unless it has 

passed inspection requirements. 

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. 

Other Related Material 

The FAA also reviewed Airbus 

Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 

SA330–65.140, Revision 0, dated June 

30, 2022, which specifies procedures for 

inspecting the assembly of the MGB 

coupling by ensuring the sliding flange 

is correctly assembled and there is no 

presence of embossments. This material 

also specifies procedures for replacing 

an affected MGB coupling with a 

correctly assembled MGB coupling and 

instructions to send affected parts to 

Airbus Helicopters. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

If any incorrectly assembled MGB 

coupling is found during the inspection, 

EASA AD 2022–0140 requires replacing 

each affected part with a serviceable 

part, whereas this AD requires removing 

each affected part from service and 

replacing it with a serviceable part, as 

defined in EASA AD 2022–0140. 

Service information referenced in 

EASA AD 2022–0140 specifies reporting 

certain information and sending affected 

parts to Airbus Helicopters, whereas 

this AD does not require sending 

information or parts to Airbus 

Helicopters. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 7 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. 

Visually inspecting each MGB 

coupling will take approximately 4 

work-hours for an estimated cost of 

$340 per helicopter and up to $2,380 for 

the U.S. fleet. 

If required, removing and replacing 

the MGB coupling will take 

approximately 8 work-hours and parts 

will cost approximately $23,215 for an 

estimated cost of $23,895 per helicopter. 

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: 

2024–16–05 Airbus Helicopters: 

Amendment 39–22811; Docket No. 

FAA–2024–1291; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2022–00901–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective October 21, 2024. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters 

Model SA330J helicopters, certificated in any 

category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code: 6320, Main rotor gearbox. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of an 

incorrectly assembled main rotor gearbox 

(MGB) flange assembly coupling (coupling). 

The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and 

address incorrectly assembled MGB 

couplings. The unsafe condition, if not 

addressed, could result in loss of the drive 

transmission from the left-hand or right-hand 

engine, 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, European Union 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022– 

0140, dated July 7, 2022 (EASA AD 2022– 

0140). 


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75472 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 179 / Monday, September 16, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022–0140 

(1) Where EASA AD 2022–0140 requires 

compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD, 

requires using hours time-in-service. 

(2) Where EASA AD 2022–0140 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

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

0140 states, ‘‘in accordance with the 

instructions of the ASB,’’ for this AD, replace 

that text with ‘‘in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

3.B.2.b. of the ASB, except you are not 

required to comply with paragraph 3.B.2.c.’’ 

(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022– 

0140 states to ‘‘replace the affected part with 

a serviceable part, in accordance with the 

instructions of the ASB’’ for this AD, replace 

that text with ‘‘remove the affected part, as 

defined in EASA AD 2022–0140, from 

service and replace it with a serviceable part, 

as defined in EASA AD 2022–0140, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2.d. of the ASB, 

except you are not required to send an 

affected part to Airbus Helicopters or comply 

with paragraphs 2.D or 3.B.3 of the ASB.’’ 

(5) Where the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2022–0140 specifies 

‘‘install a flange assy coupling (1) correctly 

assembled,’’ for this AD, replace that text 

with ‘‘install a correctly assembled MGB 

coupling.’’ 

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

section of EASA AD 2022–0140. 

(i) No Reporting or Return of Parts 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2022–0140 specifies 

to submit certain information and return 

parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not 

require those actions. 

(j) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits may be issued in 

accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 

in order to fly to a maintenance area to 

perform the required actions in this AD, 

provided there are no passengers onboard. 

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, West Certification 

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 certification office, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (l) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to 9-ANMLAACO-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. 

(l) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Hal Jensen, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA; 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 

CA 90712; telephone (303) 342–1080; email 

hal.jensen@faa.gov. 

(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 2022–0140, dated July 7, 2022. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA material identified in this 

AD, 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 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. 

Issued on September 10, 2024. 

Victor Wicklund, 

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–20844 Filed 9–13–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–2238; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2023–00698–R; Amendment 

39–22803; AD 2024–15–11] 

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 A109C, A109E, 

A109K2, A109S, and AW109SP 

helicopters. This AD was prompted by 

reports of loose tail rotor duplex bearing 

locking nuts, possibly caused by 

improper installation. This AD requires 

disassembling certain tail rotor duplex 

bearings and reassembling them in 

accordance with updated procedures. 

This AD also prohibits installing certain 

tail rotor duplex bearing housings and 

pitch change slider assemblies. 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 October 21, 

2024. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of October 21, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2023–2238; 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. 

Material Incorporated by Reference: 

• For EASA material identified in this 

AD, contact EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: 

+49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@

easa.europa.eu; 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 

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–2023–2238. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

William McCully, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, International Validation 

Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave. Suite 

410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (404) 

474–5548; email: william.mccully@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2023–0105, 

dated May 23, 2023 (EASA AD 2023– 

0105), to correct an unsafe condition on 

Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109C, A109E, 

A109K2, A109LUH, A109S, and 

AW109SP helicopters. 

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 

A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109S, and 

AW109SP helicopters. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

December 11, 2023 (88 FR 85856). The 


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