Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 26, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 3923 

supplemental type certificate no. 

ST01086DE, as modified by Peregrine. 

In lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1) through (4) 

at amendment 25–123, or § 25.1353(c)(1) 

through (4) at earlier amendments, each 

rechargeable lithium battery installation 

must: 

1. Be designed to maintain safe cell 

temperatures and pressures under all 

foreseeable operating conditions to 

prevent fire and explosion. 

2. Be designed to prevent the 

occurrence of self-sustaining, 

uncontrollable increases in temperature 

or pressure, and automatically control 

the charge rate of each cell to protect 

against adverse operating conditions, 

such as cell imbalance, back charging, 

overcharging and overheating. 

3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases, 

either in normal operation or as a result 

of its failure that may accumulate in 

hazardous quantities within the 

airplane. 

4. Meet the requirements of § 25.863. 

5. Not damage surrounding structure 

or adjacent systems, equipment, or 

electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or 

gases that may escape in such a way as 

to cause a major or more-severe failure 

condition. 

6. Have provisions to prevent any 

hazardous effect on airplane structure or 

systems caused by the maximum 

amount of heat it can generate due to 

any failure of it or its individual cells. 

7. Have a failure sensing and warning 

system to alert the flight crew if its 

failure affects safe operation of the 

airplane. 

8. Have a monitoring and warning 

feature that alerts the flightcrew when 

its charge state falls below acceptable 

levels if its function is required for safe 

operation of the airplane. 

9. Have a means to automatically 

disconnect from its charging source in 

the event of an over-temperature 

condition, cell failure or battery failure. 

Note: A battery system consists of the 

battery, battery charger, and any protective 

monitoring and alerting circuitry or hardware 

inside or outside of the battery. It also 

includes vents (where necessary) and 

packaging. For the purpose of these special 

conditions, a battery and the battery system 

is referred to as a battery. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 

20, 2022. 

Patrick R. Mullen, 

Manager, Technical Innovation Policy 

Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–01443 Filed 1–25–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0009; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–01459–R; Amendment 

39–21914; AD 2022–02–17] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 

(AHD) Model MBB–BK 117 C–2, MBB– 

BK 117 D–2, and MBB–BK 117 D–3 

helicopters. This AD was prompted by 

reports of engine flame out following 

prolonged operations in falling snow on 

helicopters with an inlet barrier filter 

(IBF) system installed. This AD requires 

revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight 

Manual (RFM) for your helicopter, as 

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 becomes effective 

February 10, 2022. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of February 10, 2022. 

The FAA must receive comments on 

this AD by March 14, 2022. 

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 

https://www.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. 

For EASA material incorporated by 

reference (IBR) in this final rule, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 

8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may 

find this IBR material on the EASA 

website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

For Airbus Helicopters service 

information identified in this final rule, 

contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North 

Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 

telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232– 

0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or at https:// 

www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/ 

technical-support.html. 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. Service 

information that is IBRed is also 

available in the AD docket at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2022– 

0009. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0009; 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 

street address for Docket Operations is 

listed above. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hal 

Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, Operational 

Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 

L’Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 

20024; telephone (202) 267–9167; 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 Emergency AD 

2021–0289–E, dated December 23, 2021 

(EASA AD 2021–0289–E), to correct an 

unsafe condition for all Airbus 

Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD), 

formerly Eurocopter Deutschland 

GmbH; and Airbus Helicopters Inc., 

formerly American Eurocopter LLC, 

Model MBB–BK117 C–2, D–2, D–3, and 

D–3m helicopters, all variants, all serial 

numbers. 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

engine flame out following prolonged 

operations in falling snow with the IBF 

system installed. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to prevent partial icing of an 

IBF engine intake and engine flame out. 

The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 

could result in engine failure and 

reduced control of the helicopter, 

possibly resulting in damage to the 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
3924 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 26, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 

helicopter or injury to occupants. See 

EASA AD 2021–0289–E for additional 

background information. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2021–0289–E requires 

amending the RFM by incorporating the 

applicable RFM temporary revision 

(TR), to amend the IBF system 

limitations and emergency procedures 

sections, to include a restriction to 

operation in falling or blowing snow. 

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 Service Information 

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters 

Service Bulletin SB MBB–BK117 C–2– 

71–005, Revision 5, dated May 31, 2017; 

and Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin 

SB MBB-BK117 D-2–71–001, Revision 1, 

dated August 2, 2017. This service 

information specifies procedures for 

installing an IBF system. 

FAA’s Determination 

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 of the unsafe condition described 

in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD 

after evaluating all pertinent 

information and determining that the 

unsafe condition exists and is likely to 

exist or develop on other helicopters of 

the same type design. 

Requirements of This AD 

This AD requires accomplishing the 

actions specified in EASA AD 2021– 

0289–E, described previously, as IBRed, 

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.’’ 

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, EASA AD 2021– 

0289–E will be IBRed in this FAA final 

rule. This AD would, therefore, require 

compliance with EASA AD 2021–0289– 

E in its entirety through that 

incorporation, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this AD. Using 

common terms that are the same as the 

heading of a particular section in EASA 

AD 2021–0289–E 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 2021–0289–E. 

Service information referenced in EASA 

AD 2021–0289–E for compliance will be 

available at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0009. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

EASA AD 2021–0289–E applies to 

Model MBB–BK117 D–3m helicopters, 

whereas this AD does not because that 

model is not FAA type-certificated. 

EASA AD 2021–0289–E defines 

‘‘Retrofit SB’’ as, ‘‘AH Service Bulletin 

(SB) MBB–BK117 C–2–71–005, SB 

MBB–BK117 D–2–71–001 and SB MBB– 

BK117 D–3–71–001, as applicable, 

installing the IBF system,’’ whereas this 

AD redefines ‘‘Retrofit SB’’ because SB 

MBB–BK117 D–3–71–001 has not been 

issued. 

EASA AD 2021–0289–E requires 

operators to ‘‘inform all flight crews’’ of 

revisions to the RFM, and thereafter to 

‘‘operate the helicopter accordingly.’’ 

However, this AD does not specifically 

require those actions. 

14 CFR 91.9 requires that no person 

may operate a civil aircraft without 

complying with the operating 

limitations specified in the RFM. 

Therefore, including a requirement in 

this AD to operate the helicopter 

according to the revised RFM would be 

redundant and unnecessary. 

Additionally, FAA regulations mandate 

compliance with only the operating 

limitations section of the flight manual. 

Some of the flight manual changes 

required by this AD apply to the 

emergency procedures section of the 

existing RFM for your helicopter. 

Compliance with such requirements in 

an AD is impracticable to demonstrate 

or track on an ongoing basis; therefore, 

requirements to operate the aircraft in 

such a manner are unenforceable. 

Nonetheless, the FAA recommends that 

flight crews of the helicopters listed in 

the applicability be made aware of the 

flight manual changes and that they 

operate in accordance with the revised 

emergency procedures. 

In this AD, the existing RFM for your 

helicopter may be revised and the 

logbook entry for that action may be 

made by the owner/operator (pilot) 

holding at least a private pilot 

certificate, whereas the EASA AD does 

not mention this allowance. This action 

must be entered into the aircraft records 

showing compliance with this AD in 

accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) 

through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). 

The record must be maintained as 

required by 14 CFR 91.417 or 135.439. 

Interim Action 

The FAA considers this AD interim 

action. If final action is later identified, 

the FAA might consider further 

rulemaking then. 

Justification for Immediate Adoption 

and Determination of the Effective Date 

Section 553(b)(3)(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 foregoing notice 

and comment prior to adoption of this 

rule because the affected component is 

part of the propulsion system that is 

critical to the power of the helicopter. 

Partial icing of the affected component 

could result in engine flame out, engine 

failure, reduced control of the 

helicopter, and subsequent damage to 

the helicopter or injury to occupants. In 

light of this, required actions must be 

accomplished within 14 days or 40 

hours time-in-service, whichever occurs 

first after the effective date of this AD. 

This compliance time is shorter than the 

time necessary for the public to 

comment and for publication of the final 

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)(3)(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 forego 

notice and comment. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 26, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 3925 

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 ADDRESSES. 

Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2022–0009; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2021–01459–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 https://

www.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 Hal Jensen, Aerospace 

Engineer, Operational Safety Branch, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

FAA, 950 L’Enfant Plaza N SW, 

Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 

267–9167; email hal.jensen@faa.gov. 

Any commentary that the FAA receives 

that is not specifically designated as CBI 

will be placed in the public docket for 

this rulemaking. 

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 the 

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 213 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 existing RFM for your 

helicopter takes about 1 work-hour for 

an estimated cost of about $85 per 

helicopter and up to about $18,105 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 

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, 

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: 

2022–02–17 Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 

39–21914; Docket No. FAA–2022–0009; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2021–01459–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective February 10, 2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB–BK 

117 C–2, MBB–BK 117 D–2, and MBB–BK 

117 D–3 helicopters, certificated in any 

category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code: 7160, Engine Air Intake System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

engine flame out following prolonged 

operations in falling snow with the inlet 

barrier filter (IBF) system installed. The FAA 

is issuing this AD to prevent partial icing of 

an IBF engine intake and engine flame out. 

The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 

result in engine failure and reduced control 

of the helicopter, possibly resulting in 

damage to the helicopter or injury to 

occupants. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Requirements 

Comply with all required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2021– 

0289–E, dated December 23, 2021 (EASA AD 

2021–0289–E). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0289–E 

(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0289–E defines 

Retrofit SB, replace the text ‘‘AH Service 

Bulletin (SB) MBB–BK117 C–2–71–005, SB 

MBB–BK117 D–2–71–001 and SB MBB– 

BK117 D–3–71–001, as applicable, installing 

the IBF system,’’ with ‘‘AH Service Bulletin 

(SB) MBB–BK117 C–2–71–005 and SB MBB– 

BK117 D–2–71–001, as applicable, installing 

the IBF system; and for Model MBB–BK 117 

D–3 helicopters, in accordance with a 

method approved by the Manager, General 

Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 

Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus 

Helicopters’ EASA Design Organization 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
3926 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 26, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 

Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, 

the approval must include the DOAauthorized signature.’’ 

(2) Where EASA AD 2021–0289–E requires 

compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD 

requires using hours time-in-service. 

(3) Where EASA AD 2021–0289–E refers to 

its effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021– 

0289–E specifies to ‘‘inform all flight crews, 

and, thereafter, operate the helicopter 

accordingly,’’ this AD does not require those 

actions. 

(5) The action required by paragraphs (1) 

and (2) of EASA AD 2021–0289–E may be 

performed by the owner/operator (pilot) 

holding at least a private pilot certificate and 

must be entered into the aircraft records 

showing compliance with this AD in 

accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through 

(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record 

must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 

91.417 or 135.439. 

(6) This AD does not mandate compliance 

with the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2021–0289–E. 

(i) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits may be permitted 

provided that there are no passengers on 

board. 

(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) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L’Enfant 

Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; 

telephone (202) 267–9167; email hal.jensen@

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) Emergency AD 2021–0289–E, dated 

December 23, 2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA AD 2021–0289–E, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 

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

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the 

EASA material on the EASA website at 

https://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. 

This material may be found in the AD docket 

at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 

for and locating Docket No. FAA–2022–0009. 

(5) You may view this material that is 

incorporated by reference at the National 

Archives and Records Administration 

(NARA). For information on the availability 

of this material at NARA, email 

fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued on January 13, 2022. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–01540 Filed 1–24–22; 11:15 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–1010; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–00807–G; Amendment 

39–21924; AD 2022–03–07] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Stemme AG 

Gliders 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Stemme AG TSA–M Model S6 and S6– 

RT gliders. This AD was prompted by 

mandatory continuing airworthiness 

information (MCAI) issued by the 

aviation authority of another country to 

identify and correct an unsafe condition 

on an aviation product. The MCAI 

describes the unsafe condition as a new 

version of the propeller gearbox tooth 

belt with a reduced life limit. This AD 

requires establishing a life limit of 5 

years for certain propeller gearbox tooth 

belts. The FAA is issuing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD is effective March 2, 

2022. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

Stemme AG, Flugplatzstrasse F2, Nr. 

6–7, D–15344 Strausberg, Germany; 

phone: +49 (0) 3341 3612–0; fax: +49 (0) 

3341 3612–30; email: airworthiness@

stemme.de; website: https://

www.stemme.com. 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. It is also 

available at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–1010. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–1010; 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 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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim 

Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 

901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 

64106; phone: (816) 329–4165; email: 

jim.rutherford@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 certain Stemme AG TSA–M 

Model S6 and S6–RT gliders. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on November 22, 2021 (86 FR 

66229). The NPRM was prompted by 

MCAI originated by the European Union 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which 

is the Technical Agent for the Member 

States of the European Union. EASA 

issued EASA AD 2020–0140, dated June 

23, 2020 (referred to after this as ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to address an unsafe condition 

on Stemme AG (Stemme) TSA–M Model 

S6 and S6–RT powered sailplanes 

(gliders) and ASP S15–1 airplanes. The 

MCAI states: 

The airworthiness limitations for Stemme 

TSA–M powered sailplanes and Stemme ASP 

aeroplanes, which are approved by EASA, 

are currently defined and published in 

Chapter 4 of the applicable AMM [aircraft 

maintenance manual]. These instructions 

have been identified as mandatory for 

continued airworthiness. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES