82496 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 198 / Friday, October 11, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

(k) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2023– 

0004, With No Changes 

This paragraph restates the exceptions 

specified in paragraph (h) of AD 2023–12–03, 

with no changes. 

(1) This AD does not adopt the 

requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and 

(2) of EASA AD 2023–0004. 

(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023–0004 

specifies revising ‘‘the approved AMP’’ 

within 12 months after its effective date, but 

this AD requires revising the existing 

maintenance or inspection program, as 

applicable, within 90 days after August 7, 

2023 (the effective date of AD 2023–12–03). 

(3) The initial compliance time for doing 

the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA 

AD 2023–0004 is on or before the applicable 

‘‘associated thresholds’’ as incorporated by 

the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA 

AD 2023–0004, or within 90 days after 

August 7, 2023 (the effective date of AD 

2023–12–03), whichever occurs later. 

(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions 

specified in paragraphs (4) of EASA AD 

2023–0004. 

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

section of EASA AD 2023–0004. 

(l) Retained Provisions for Alternative 

Actions and Intervals From AD 2023–12–03, 

With No Changes 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (i) of AD 2023–12–03, with no 

changes. Except as required by paragraph (n) 

of this AD, after the existing maintenance or 

inspection program has been revised as 

required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no 

alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and 

intervals are allowed unless they are 

approved as specified in the provisions of the 

‘‘Ref. Publications’’ section of EASA AD 

2023–0004. 

(m) Retained Terminating Action From AD 

2023–12–03, With No Changes 

This paragraph restates the terminating 

action specified in paragraph (j) of AD 2023– 

12–03, with no changes. Accomplishing the 

actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD 

terminates the corresponding requirements of 

paragraph (g) of this AD, for the tasks 

identified in the material referenced in EASA 

AD 2023–0004 only. 

(n) New Revision of the Existing 

Maintenance or Inspection Program 

Except as specified in paragraph (o) of this 

AD: Comply with all required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, EASA AD 2024–0005, 

dated January 5, 2024 (EASA AD 2024–0005). 

Accomplishing the revision of the existing 

maintenance or inspection program required 

by this paragraph terminates the 

requirements of paragraphs (g) and (j) of this 

AD. 

(o) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024–0005 

(1) This AD does not adopt the 

requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and 

(2) of EASA AD 2024–0005. 

(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024–0005 

specifies revising ‘‘the approved AMP,’’ 

within 12 months after its effective date, but 

this AD requires revising the existing 

maintenance or inspection program, as 

applicable, within 90 days after the effective 

date of this AD. 

(3) The initial compliance time for doing 

the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA 

AD 2024–0005 is at the applicable 

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

incorporated by the requirements of 

paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024–0005, or 

within 90 days after the effective date of this 

AD, whichever occurs later. 

(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions 

specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA 

AD 2024–0005. 

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

section of EASA AD 2024–0005. 

(p) New Provisions for Alternative Actions 

and Intervals 

After the existing maintenance or 

inspection program has been revised as 

required by paragraph (n) of this AD, no 

alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and 

intervals are allowed unless they are 

approved as specified in the provisions of the 

‘‘Ref. Publications’’ section of EASA AD 

2024–0005. 

(q) 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 (r) of this AD. Information may be 

emailed to: 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. 

(r) Additional Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516–228– 

7300; email dat.v.le@faa.gov. 

(s) 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. 

(3) The following material was approved 

for IBR on November 15, 2024. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2024–0005, dated January 5, 

2024. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(4) The following material was approved 

for IBR on August 7, 2023 (88 FR 42598, July 

3, 2023; corrected August 7, 2023 (88 FR 

52024)). 

(i) EASA AD 2023–0004, dated January 6, 

2023. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(5) The following material was approved 

for IBR on April 10, 2023 (88 FR 13668, 

March 6, 2023). 

(i) EASA AD 2022–0125, dated June 28, 

2022. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(6) 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 at 

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(7) 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. 

(8) 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 11, 2024. 

Suzanne Masterson, 

Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate 

Management Division, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–23540 Filed 10–10–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2024–2329; Project 

Identifier AD–2024–00451–R; Amendment 

39–22864; AD 2024–20–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Columbia 

Helicopters, Inc., and Restricted 

Category Model CH–47D Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Columbia Helicopters, Inc., Model 234 

helicopters and restricted category 

Model CH–47D helicopters. This AD 

was prompted by two reports of a flight 

control rigid connecting link (link) 

failure, due to a manufacturing defect. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 198 / Friday, October 11, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 82497 

This AD requires removing certain links 

from service and prohibits installing 

those links. The FAA is issuing this AD 

to address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD is effective October 28, 

2024. 

The FAA must receive comments on 

this AD by November 25, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

regulations.gov. Follow the instructions 

for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2024–2329; 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 

street address for Docket Operations is 

listed above. 

Related Material: For Boeing material 

identified in this AD, contact Billings 

Flying Service, Inc., 309 Jellison Road, 

Billings, MT 59101; phone: (406) 252– 

6937; email: jed@flybfscom. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

David Herron, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 

Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (206) 231– 

3544; email: david.herron@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites you to send any 

written data, views, or arguments about 

this final rule. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2024–2329; Project Identifier AD–2024– 

00451–R’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. The most helpful comments 

reference a specific portion of the final 

rule, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. The FAA will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this final rule 

because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to 

regulations.gov, including any personal 

information you provide. The agency 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact received 

about this final rule. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt 

from public disclosure. If your 

comments responsive to this AD contain 

commercial or financial information 

that is customarily treated as private, 

that you actually treat as private, and 

that is relevant or responsive to this AD, 

it is important that you clearly designate 

the submitted comments as CBI. Please 

mark each page of your submission 

containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA 

will treat such marked submissions as 

confidential under the FOIA, and they 

will not be placed in the public docket 

of this AD. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to David Herron, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 

Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 

90712; phone: (206) 231–3544; email: 

david.herron@faa.gov. Any commentary 

that the FAA receives which is not 

specifically designated as CBI will be 

placed in the public docket for this 

rulemaking. 

Background 

The FAA received two reports of a 

link part number (P/N) 145C3340–10 

failure involving a Model CH–47D 

helicopter. In both reports, it was 

determined that the failed link was 

manufactured by Aero Components Inc., 

which was not an approved supplier for 

these links. Boeing advised that failure 

of one link was caused by an 

eccentricity of the threaded bore in the 

end of the tube associated with the rodend installation, which was determined 

to be a manufacturing defect; this 

resulted in a thin wall condition on oneside. Failure of the other link showed 

the same contributor, but on the 

opposite end of the tube. 

Boeing advised some links having P/ 

N 145C3340 have been found to have 

missing or illegible markings; however, 

both failed links involve clear Aero 

Components Inc. CAGE code markings. 

Columbia Helicopters, Inc., Model 234 

helicopters are also affected by the 

unsafe condition since the affected links 

may also be installed on that model 

helicopter. 

This condition, if not addressed, 

could result in link failure within the 

flight control system due to fatigue. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products and 

subsequent immediate loss of control of 

the helicopter. 

FAA’s Determination 

The FAA is issuing this AD because 

the agency determined the unsafe 

condition described previously is likely 

to exist or develop in other products of 

the same type design. 

Related Material 

The FAA reviewed Boeing CH–47 

Service Bulletin No. 145–67–1047, 

dated May 22, 2024. This material 

specifies procedures for inspecting link 

P/N 145C3340–10 to determine its 

manufacturing code and, depending on 

the results, contacting Boeing for 

additional assistance or replacing the 

link. 

AD Requirements 

This AD requires removing links P/N 

145C3340–10 with manufacturing CAGE 

code 59213 from service and prohibits 

installing those links on any helicopter. 

Justification for Immediate Adoption 

and Determination of the Effective Date 

Section 553(b) of the Administrative 

Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 551 et 

seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense 

with notice and comment procedures 

for rules when the agency, for ‘‘good 

cause,’’ finds that those procedures are 

‘‘impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary 

to the public interest.’’ Under this 

section, an agency, upon finding good 

cause, may issue a final rule without 

providing notice and seeking comment 

prior to issuance. Further, section 

553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to 

make rules effective in less than thirty 

days, upon a finding of good cause. 

An unsafe condition exists that 

requires the immediate adoption of this 

AD without providing an opportunity 

for public comments prior to adoption. 

The FAA has found that the risk to the 

flying public justifies forgoing notice 

and comment prior to adoption of this 

rule because the affected component is 

part of an assembly that is critical to the 

flight control of a helicopter, such that 

if failure occurs in the affected 

component subsequent immediate loss 

of control of a helicopter will occur. As 

the FAA has no information pertaining 

to the extent of fatigue of the affected 

component that may currently exist in 

helicopters or how quickly the 

condition may propagate to failure, the 

actions required by this AD must be 

accomplished within 5 days. The 

compliance time in this AD is shorter 

than the time necessary for the public to 

comment and for publication of the final 


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82498 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 198 / Friday, October 11, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 

rule. Accordingly, notice and 

opportunity for prior public comment 

are impracticable and contrary to the 

public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 

553(b). 

In addition, the FAA finds that good 

cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) 

for making this amendment effective in 

less than 30 days, for the same reasons 

the FAA found good cause to forgo 

notice and comment. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

The requirements of the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act (RFA) do not apply when 

an agency finds good cause pursuant to 

5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without 

prior notice and comment. Because FAA 

has determined that it has good cause to 

adopt this rule without prior notice and 

comment, RFA analysis is not required. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 36 helicopters of U.S. registry. 

Labor costs are estimated at $85 per 

work-hour. Based on these numbers, the 

FAA estimates the following costs to 

comply with this AD. 

Replacing a link will take 8 workhours and parts will cost $1,963 for an 

estimated cost of $2,643 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, 

and 

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska. 

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: 

2024–20–05 Columbia Helicopters, Inc., 

and Restricted Category Model CH–47D 

Helicopters: Amendment 39–22864; 

Docket No. FAA–2024–2329; Project 

Identifier AD–2024–00451–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective October 28, 2024. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the helicopters 

identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this 

AD with a flight control rigid connecting link 

(link) part number (P/N) 145C3340–10 

having manufacturing CAGE code 59213, a 

link P/N 145C3340–10 having an unknown 

manufacturing CAGE code, a link with an 

unknown P/N having manufacturing CAGE 

code 59213, or a link with an unknown P/ 

N and unknown manufacturing CAGE code, 

installed. 

(1) Columbia Helicopters, Inc., Model 234 

helicopters, certificated in any category; and 

(2) Restricted category Model CH–47D 

helicopters; current type certificate holders 

include, but are not limited to, Billings 

Flying Service, Inc., Columbia Helicopters, 

Inc, Tandem Rotor, LLC, and Unical Air Inc. 

Note 1 to paragraph (c): A flight control 

rigid connecting link is also referred to as a 

rigid connecting link in related material. 

Note 2 to paragraph (c): The P/N and 

manufacturing CAGE code information may 

be located on the tube of the link assembly. 

Information about the location of the P/N and 

manufacturing CAGE code is available in 

Boeing Service Bulletin CH–47, No. 145–67– 

1047, dated May 22, 2024. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code: 2700, Flight control systems. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by two reports of 

a link failure, due to a manufacturing defect. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to address nonconforming links. The unsafe condition, if 

not addressed, could result in a link failure 

within the flight control system due to 

fatigue and subsequent immediate loss of 

control of the helicopter. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

Within 5 days after the effective date of 

this AD, remove the link from service and 

replace it with an airworthy link. 

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition 

As of the effective date of this AD, do not 

install a link identified in the introductory 

text of paragraph (c) of this AD on any 

helicopter. 

(i) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits are prohibited. 

(j) 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 West Certification 

Branch, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 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 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact David Herron, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 

Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (206) 231– 

3544; email: david.herron@faa.gov. 

(2) For Boeing material identified in this 

AD that is not incorporated by reference, 

contact Billings Flying Service, Inc., 309 

Jellison Road, Billings, MT 59101; phone: 

(406) 252–6937; email: jed@flybfscom. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued on October 3, 2024. 

Steven W. Thompson, 

Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–23547 Filed 10–8–24; 11:15 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


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