79420 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

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: 

2024–16–12 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39– 

22818; Docket No. FAA–2024–1288; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2024–00063–T. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective November 4, 2024. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model 

A330–243, –302, –343, and –941 airplanes, 

certificated in any category, as identified in 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2024–0023, dated January 23, 

2024 (EASA AD 2024–0023). 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 25, Equipment/furnishings. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a determination 

that a certain aft bulkhead cover panel may 

have been made with a non-conforming 

material. The FAA is issuing this AD to 

address the non-conforming aft bulkhead 

cover panel. The unsafe condition, if not 

addressed, could result in injury to 

occupants, and reduced evacuation capacity 

from the airplane in case of an emergency. 

(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, EASA AD 2024–0023. 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024–0023 

(1) Where EASA AD 2024–0023 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

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

section of EASA AD 2024–0023. 

(i) Additional AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): 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 

responsible Flight Standards Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the International Validation 

Branch, mail it to the address identified in 

paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be 

emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the responsible Flight Standards Office. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain instructions 

from a manufacturer, the instructions must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS’s 

EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 

If approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-authorized signature. 

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except 

as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD: For 

material that contains procedures or tests that 

are identified as RC, those procedures and 

tests must be done to comply with this AD; 

any procedures or tests that are not identified 

as RC are recommended. Those procedures 

and tests that are not identified as RC may 

be deviated from using accepted methods in 

accordance with the operator’s maintenance 

or inspection program without obtaining 

approval of an AMOC, provided the 

procedures and tests identified as RC can be 

done and the airplane can be put back in an 

airworthy condition. Any substitutions or 

changes to procedures or tests identified as 

RC require approval of an AMOC. 

(j) Additional Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 

410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 206– 

231–3229; email: vladimir.ulyanov@faa.gov. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) 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 this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2024–0023, dated January 23, 

2024. 

(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; 

website easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

EASA material on the EASA website 

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(4) You may view this material at the FAA, 

Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 

Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des 

Moines, WA. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

206–231–3195. 

(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 August 2, 2024. 

Peter A. White, 

Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate 

Management Division, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–22258 Filed 9–27–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2024–0462; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2022–00523–R; Amendment 

39–22826; AD 2024–17–01] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding 

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021–11– 

17 and AD 2021–11–22, which applied 

to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland 

GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, 

EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, 

EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, 

EC135T3 and EC635T2 helicopters. AD 

2021–11–17 required a one-time visual 

inspection of certain part-numbered 

main rotor actuators (MRAs). AD 2021– 

11–22 required revising the life limits of 

certain parts and removing each part 

that had reached its life limit. Since the 

FAA issued those ADs, it was 

determined that repetitive inspections 

of the MRAs are necessary, new and 

more restrictive tasks and limitations 

have been issued, and that it is 

necessary to expand the applicability. 

This AD continues to require the actions 

required by AD 2021–11–17 and AD 

2021–11–22, except this AD requires 

changing the one-time MRA inspection 

to a repetitive inspection and 

incorporating other new and more 

restrictive tasks and limitations by 

revising the airworthiness limitations 

section (ALS) of the existing helicopter 

maintenance manual or instructions for 

continued airworthiness and the 

existing approved maintenance or 

inspection program, as applicable. This 

AD also expands the applicability by 

adding Model EC635T2+ helicopters. 

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. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 79421 

DATES: This AD is effective November 4, 

2024. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as November 4, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2024–0462; 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: 

• For EASA material identified in this 

AD, contact Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 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 

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 

in the AD docket at regulations.gov 

under Docket No. FAA 2024–0462. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe 

Salameh, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231– 

3536; email: joe.salameh@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to supersede AD 2021–11–17, 

Amendment 39–21579 (86 FR 31087, 

June 11, 2021) (AD 2021–11–17), and 

AD 2021–11–22, Amendment 39–21584 

(86 FR 31101, June 11, 2021) (AD 2021– 

11–22). AD 2021–11–17 and AD 2021– 

11–22 applied to all Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model 

EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, 

EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, 

EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. 

AD 2021–11–17 required a one-time 

visual inspection of the MRA, and AD 

2021–11–22 required revising the life 

limit of certain parts and removing from 

service each part that had reached its 

life limit. The FAA issued AD 2021–11– 

17 to prevent failure of the MRA and 

subsequent loss of the control of the 

helicopter. The FAA issued AD 2021– 

11–22 to prevent certain parts from 

remaining in service beyond their 

fatigue life, resulting in failure of the 

part and subsequent loss of control of 

the helicopter. 

The NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on March 11, 2024 (89 FR 

17348). The NPRM was prompted by 

EASA AD 2022–0067, dated April 13, 

2022 (EASA AD 2022–0067) (referred to 

after this as the MCAI), issued by EASA, 

which is the Technical Agent for the 

Member States of the European Union. 

The MCAI states that repetitive 

inspections of MRA are necessary. 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket at regulations.gov under 

Docket No. FAA–2024–0462. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

continue to require the actions required 

by AD 2021–11–17 and AD 2021–11–22, 

except the NPRM proposed to require 

changing the one-time MRA inspection 

to a repetitive inspection and 

incorporating other new and more 

restrictive tasks and limitations by 

revising the ALS of the existing 

helicopter maintenance manual or 

instructions for continued airworthiness 

and the existing approved maintenance 

or inspection program, as applicable. 

The NPRM also proposed to expand the 

applicability by adding Model 

EC635T2+ helicopters. 

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 2022–0067 requires 

replacing components before exceeding 

their life limits and accomplishing 

maintenance tasks within thresholds 

and intervals specified in the applicable 

ALS as defined in EASA AD 2022–0067. 

Depending on the results of the 

maintenance tasks, EASA AD 2022– 

0067 requires accomplishing corrective 

action(s) or contacting AHD [Airbus 

Helicopters Deutschland GmbH AHD] 

for approved instructions and 

accomplishing those instructions. EASA 

AD 2022–0067 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 to helicopter model and 

configuration. Revising the AMP 

constitutes terminating action for the 

requirements to replace components 

before exceeding their life limits and 

accomplish maintenance tasks within 

thresholds and intervals specified in the 

applicable ALS as required by EASA AD 

2022–0067. 

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 

Chapter 04 ALS for EC135 P1, P2, P3, 

T1, T2, T3, limited to CDS, CPDS, P2+, 

T2+ helicopters, Revision 2, dated April 

6, 2021, and Airbus Chapter 04 ALS for 

EC135 P3H and T3H helicopters, 

Revision 2, dated April 6, 2021. This 

material specifies airworthiness 

limitations, tasks, and associated 

thresholds and intervals for various 

parts. Revision 2 of this material 

specifies various updates for certain 

components. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

EASA AD 2022–0067 applies to 

Model EC635 P2+, EC635 P3, EC635 T1, 

and EC635 T3 helicopters, whereas this 

AD does not because these model 

helicopters are not FAA typecertificated. 

EASA AD 2022–0067 requires 

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 within 

the compliance time specified in that 

ALS. EASA AD 2022–0067 also requires 

revising the approved AMP to 

incorporate the limitations, tasks, and 

associated thresholds and intervals 

described in that ALS within 12 months 

after its effective date. Whereas, this AD 

requires revising existing documents 

and programs within 30 days to 

incorporate the limitations, tasks, and 


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79422 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

associated thresholds and intervals 

described in that ALS, 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 272 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 ALS of the existing 

helicopter maintenance manual or 

instructions for continued airworthiness 

for your helicopter and the existing 

approved maintenance or inspection 

program for your helicopter, as 

applicable, takes approximately 2 workhours, for an estimated cost of $170 per 

helicopter and $46,240 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 

The FAA has determined that 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, 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: 

■ a. Removing Airworthiness Directives 

(AD) 2021–11–17, Amendment 39– 

21579 (86 FR 31087, June 11, 2021); and 

AD 2021–11–22, Amendment 39–21584 

(86 FR 31101, June 11, 2021); and 

■ b. Adding the following new AD: 

2024–17–01 Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 

39–22826; Docket No. FAA–2024–0462; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2022–00523–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective November 4, 2024. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD replaces AD 2021–11–17, 

Amendment 39–21579 (86 FR 31087, June 

11, 2021), and AD 2021–11–22, Amendment 

39–21584 (86 FR 31101, June 11, 2021). 

Note 1 to paragraph (b): The requirements 

of this AD capture the latest tasks and life 

limits required to prevent the unsafe 

conditions addressed by the ADs that are 

identified in paragraph (b) of this AD. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, 

EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, 

EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, and 

EC635T2+ helicopters, certificated in any 

category. 

Note 2 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with 

an EC135P3H designation are Model 

EC135P3 helicopters, and helicopters with an 

EC135T3H designation are Model EC135T3 

helicopters. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6310, Main Rotor Control. 

(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 Action 

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– 

0067, dated April 13, 2022 (EASA AD 2022– 

0067). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022–0067 

(1) Where EASA AD 2022–0067 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 2022–0067. 

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

0067 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 the airworthiness limitations 

section of your existing helicopter 

maintenance manual or instructions for 

continued airworthiness and your existing 

approved maintenance or inspection 

program, as applicable.’’ 

(4) The initial compliance time for doing 

the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA 

AD 2022–0067 is on or before the applicable 

‘‘limitations’’ and ‘‘associated thresholds’’ as 

incorporated by the requirements of 

paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022–0067, 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 2022–0067. 

(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 

2022–0067. 

(j) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits may be issued in 

accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, 

provided no passengers are onboard. 

(k) 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 (l) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. 


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(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 Joe Salameh, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 

410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231– 

3536; email: joe.salameh@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 this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2022–0067, dated April 13, 2022. 

(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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. 

Issued on September 18, 2024. 

Victor Wicklund, 

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–22349 Filed 9–27–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2024–1478; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2023–01216–T; Amendment 

39–22831; AD 2024–17–06] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; BAE 

Systems (Operations) Limited 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE 

Systems (Operations) Limited Model 

BAe 146 and Avro 146–RJ series 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 

report of cracking on the radius of the 

rib 0 forward longeron at a certain 

frame. This AD requires a one-time 

inspection for defects of the radius, and 

repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to address the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective November 4, 

2024. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of November 4, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2024–1478; 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: 

• For BAE Systems material 

identified in this AD, contact BAE 

Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer 

Information Department, Prestwick 

International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 

2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; 

telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 

1292 675704; email RApublications@

baesystems.com; website 

baesystems.com/en/our-company/ourbusinesses/regional-aircraft/about-us. 

• You may view this material 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. 

It is also available at regulations.gov 

under Docket No. FAA–2024–1478. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Todd Thompson, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 

Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 

telephone 206–231–3228; email 

todd.thompson@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 BAE Systems (Operations) 

Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146– 

RJ series airplanes. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

June 6, 2024 (89 FR 48348). The NPRM 

was prompted by AD G–2023–0006, 

dated November 24, 2023 (referred to 

after this as the MCAI), issued by the 

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which 

is the aviation authority for the United 

Kingdom (UK). The MCAI states that an 

operator reported that during routine 

maintenance, cracking was found on the 

radius of the rib 0 forward longeron at 

frame 26. The cracking initiated close to 

a local blend in the radius. Failure of 

the rib 0 forward longeron could lead to 

structural failure of adjacent structure, 

leading to failure of the fuselage skin, 

and could result in rapid decompression 

and possible loss of the airplane. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require a one-time inspection for defects 

of the radius, and repair if necessary. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

the unsafe condition on these products. 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket at regulations.gov under 

Docket No. FAA–2024–1478. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received no comments on 

the NPRM or on the determination of 

the cost to the public. 

Conclusion 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country and is 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 this 

product. Except for minor editorial 

changes, this AD is adopted as proposed 

in the NPRM. None of the changes will 

increase the economic burden on any 

operator. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

Under 1 CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed BAE Systems 

(Operations) Limited Inspection Service 

Bulletin ISB.53–249, dated August 25, 

2023. This material specifies procedures 

for performing a detailed inspection for 

any defects (rough edges, nicks, or 

visible cracking) and for any evidence of 

blending or undercutting of the radius 

and flanges of the rib 0 forward 

longeron at frame 26, performing a high 

frequency eddy current (HFEC) 

inspection of the radius of the rib 0 

forward longeron at frame 26, and 

obtaining and following repair 

instructions. This material is reasonably 

available because the interested parties 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1