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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 94626-94629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27813]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2541; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00006-R]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. 
This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a pilot collective pitch 
stick handle grip that broke when pulled. This proposed AD would 
require replacing certain pilot collective pitch stick handle grips and 
prohibit installing those pilot collective pitch stick handle grips. 
These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 13, 2025.

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.

[[Page 94627]]

     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-2024-2541; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA material identified in this proposed AD, contact 
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 
8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may 
find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
     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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hye Yoon Jang Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (206) 231-3758; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-2541; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00006-R at the beginning of your comments. 
The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 
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 proposal 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 NPRM.

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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Hye 
Yoon Jang, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3758; email: 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2023-0002, dated January 5, 2023 
(EASA AD 2023-0002) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters Model SA 341 G and SA 342 J 
(Gazelle) helicopters if equipped with a pilot collective pitch stick 
having part number (P/N) 341A27-5041-0057, P/N 341A27-5041-0058, P/N 
341A27-5041-0060, P/N 341A27-5041-0063, P/N 341A27-5041-0064, P/N 
341A27-5041-0066, P/N 341A27-5041-0067, or P/N 341A27-5041-0068. The 
MCAI states that a pilot collective pitch stick handle grip broke into 
two pieces when a maintenance technician pulled the handle grip during 
helicopter maintenance. According to the MCAI, following investigation 
and analysis, the handle grip material (Rilsan) is sensitive to aging, 
with consequent degradation of the structural strength of the handle 
grip.
    The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent failure of the handle grip, 
which if not addressed, could result in reduced integrity of the flight 
control system and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2541.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2023-0002 requires replacing handle grips P/N 41A27-1377-00 
installed on pilot collective pitch sticks before June 15, 2022, and 
replacing certain part-numbered pilot collective pitch sticks complete 
with a handle grip. EASA AD 2023-0002 also prohibits installing the 
affected handle grips and pilot collective pitch sticks equipped with 
an affected handle grip on any helicopter. 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.

FAA's Determination

    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 is issuing this NPRM after 
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of these same type designs.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2023-0002, described previously, as incorporated by 
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this proposed AD and except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this NPRM and the MCAI.''

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the 
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2023-0002 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
EASA AD 2023-0002 in its entirety through that incorporation, except 
for any differences identified as exceptions in the

[[Page 94628]]

regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the 
same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2023-0002 does 
not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For 
example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions and 
compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited 
to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in 
EASA AD 2023-0002. Material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0002 for 
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2024-2541 after the FAA final rule is published.

Differences Between This NPRM and the MCAI

    The MCAI requires using Airbus Helicopters ASB SA341 67.06 and ASB 
SA342 67.06 (co-published as one document and referred to as ASB No. 
``GAZ-67.06''), Revision 0, dated June 15, 2022, for compliance, and 
allows using future revisions of that material, whereas this proposed 
AD would instead require using Airbus Helicopters ASB No. GAZ-67.06, 
Revision 1, dated November 2, 2022, and allows using future revisions 
of that material as specified in the Ref. Publications section of EASA 
AD 2023-0002, which is proposed for incorporation.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 16 helicopters of U.S. registry.
    Replacing the collective pitch handle grip would take 4 work-hours 
and parts would cost $230 for an estimated cost of $570 per helicopter 
and $9,120 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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2024-2541; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2023-00006-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by January 13, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J 
helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2023-0002, dated January 5, 2023 
(EASA AD 2023-0002).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 2077, Flight 
Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a pilot collective pitch 
stick handle grip that broke into two pieces when a maintenance 
technician pulled the handle grip during helicopter maintenance. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the pilot collective 
pitch stick handle grip. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in reduced integrity of the flight control system 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, EASA AD 2023-0002.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0002

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0002 defines ``the ASB'' as ``AH Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) SA341 67.06 and ASB SA342 67.06 (published as 
a single document, also ref. No. ASB GAZ-67.06),'' this AD requires 
replacing that text with ``Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin 
No. GAZ-67.06, Revision 1, dated November 2, 2022.''
    (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0002 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0002 specifies 
discarding certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from 
service.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0002.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0002 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

(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: [email protected].
    (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) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3758; email: 
[email protected].

[[Page 94629]]

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0002, 
dated January 5, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may 
find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood 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 [email protected].

    Issued on November 21, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-27813 Filed 11-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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