Airworthiness Directives; AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Type Certificate Formerly Held by Agusta S.p.A) (Agusta) Helicopters, 11477-11478 [2021-03661]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 36 / Thursday, February 25, 2021 / Proposed Rules Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Withdrawal Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. FAA–2005– 21679, Directorate Identifier 2004–SW– 33–AD, which was published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37059), is withdrawn. ■ Issued on February 4, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021–03655 Filed 2–24–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2013–0751; Directorate Identifier 2012–SW–051–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Type Certificate Formerly Held by Agusta S.p.A) (Agusta) Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal. AGENCY: The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011–18– 52, which applies to certain Agusta Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. AD 2011–18–52 requires establishing a revised life limit for each tail rotor blade (blade), updating the existing historical records for your helicopter, repetitively inspecting each blade for a crack, and replacing certain blades. The NPRM was prompted by the manufacturer developing an improved blade using different materials and establishing life limits for those newly-designed blades. The NPRM proposed to require expanding the applicability to include the newly-designed blades and establish their life limits, and proposed to retain the requirement to inspect each blade for a crack and, if there is a crack, replace each blade with an airworthy blade. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the NPRM does not adequately address the SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:43 Feb 24, 2021 Jkt 253001 identified unsafe condition. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn. DATES: The FAA is withdrawing the proposed rule published September 5, 2013 (78 FR 54596), as of February 25, 2021. ADDRESSES: Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2013– 0751; 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 AD action, the European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any comments received, and other information. The street 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: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222– 5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discussion The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2011– 18–52, Amendment 39–17020 (77 FR 23109, April 18, 2012) (AD 2011–18– 52). AD 2011–18–52 applies to Agusta Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with a blade part number (P/N) 3G6410A00131 or P/N 4G6410A00131 installed. AD 2011–18–52 requires establishing a revised life limit for each blade, updating the existing historical records for your helicopter, repetitively inspecting each blade for a crack, and replacing certain blades. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 5, 2013 (78 FR 54596). The NPRM was prompted by the manufacturer first developing two new blades with an improved design and specified life limits and repetitive inspections for the blades. Also, EASA issued AD No. 2012–0030, dated February 17, 2012, which superseded EASA EAD No. 2011–0156–E, dated August 25, 2011, to add the new blades to the required actions. The manufacturer then developed two new blades with improved materials and specified new life limits and inspections for the blades. EASA then issued EASA PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 11477 AD No. 2012–0076, dated May 2, 2012, revised by EASA AD No. 2012–0076R1, dated July 13, 2012 (EASA AD No. 2012–0076R1), to require the repetitive inspections and reduced life limits on the additional new blades. Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued After issuance of the NPRM, EASA issued EASA AD No. 2012–0076R2, dated February 20, 2014, which revises EASA AD No. 2012–0076R1, to remove the repetitive 25 flight-hour inspections for blades P/N 3G6410A00132, P/N 4G6410A00132, P/N 3G6410A00133, and P/N 4G6410A00133 and extend the life limits for T/R blades P/N 3G6410A00133 and P/N 4G6410A00133. Additionally, EASA advised that the life limits for T/R blades P/N 3G6410A00132 and P/N 4G6410A00132 have been incorporated in the Chapter 4 airworthiness limitations section of the maintenance manual. Further, since the FAA issued the NPRM, a significant amount of time has elapsed, which would require the FAA to reopen the comment period to allow the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed actions. Accordingly, the FAA has determined the NPRM does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition and has determined to withdraw the published NPRM and proceed with a separate rulemaking to address this unsafe condition. Withdrawal of the NPRM constitutes only such action and does not preclude the FAA from further rulemaking on this issue, nor does it commit the FAA to any course of action in the future. Comments The FAA gave the public the opportunity to comment on the NPRM. The FAA received comments from one commenter. One commenter requested the FAA adjust the life limit for certain partnumbered blades to be more consistent with aviation standard practices and gave the examples of ‘‘3 years since initial installation’’ and ‘‘5 years since manufacture.’’ Since the FAA is withdrawing the NPRM, the commenter’s request to adjust the compliance time is no longer necessary. FAA’s Conclusions Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the NPRM does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition and the unsafe condition will be addressed in a separate AD. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn. E:\FR\FM\25FEP1.SGM 25FEP1 11478 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 36 / Thursday, February 25, 2021 / Proposed Rules Regulatory Findings Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed nor a final rule. This action therefore is not covered under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). November 2, 2020 (85 FR 69282), is reopened from February 25, 2021, until March 29, 2021. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY You may submit comments by any of the methods identified in the proposed rule. 33 CFR Part 117 ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. Scott A. Brinks, Diversion Control Division, Drug Enforcement Administration; Mailing Address: 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA 22152, Telephone: (571) 362–3261. The Withdrawal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. FAA–2013– 0751, which was published in the Federal Register on September 5, 2013 (78 FR 54596), is withdrawn. ■ Issued on January 21, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021–03661 Filed 2–24–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration 21 CFR Parts 1300 and 1301 [Docket No. DEA–437] RIN 1117–AB47 Suspicious Orders of Controlled Substances Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice. ACTION: Request for comment; reopening of comment period. AGENCY: On November 2, 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) soliciting comments on the proposed revisions relating to the suspicious orders of controlled substances. The NPRM provided for a comment period ending on January 4, 2021, and the opportunity to comment ended accordingly. DEA has determined that a reopening of the comment period from February 25, 2021 until March 29, 2021 is appropriate as registrants who would be primarily affected by this rule are uniquely preoccupied with mitigating the global pandemic caused by COVID– 19. Accordingly, this reopening will permit additional time to prepare and submit comments. DATES: The comment period for the proposed revisions to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:43 Feb 24, 2021 Jkt 253001 On November 2, 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register proposing to revise its regulations relating to suspicious orders of controlled substances. Upon receipt of an order received under suspicious circumstances, registrants authorized to distribute controlled substances would select one of two options to resolve the issue. Additionally, these registrants would be required to submit all suspicious order reports to a DEA centralized database, and keep records pertaining to suspicious orders and Orders Received Under Suspicious Circumstances (ORUSC). DEA received requests from some of the commenters requesting an extension of the comment period due to the COVID–19 global pandemic. One such commenter stated, among other things, that the ability of its members to analyze and respond to this proposed rulemaking is adversely affected by the large and imminent demand for COVID– 19 vaccines. DEA understands that the distribution of the COVID–19 vaccine is vital to the continued efforts to combat this global pandemic. Accordingly, DEA has decided to reopen the comment period for an additional 30 days, and is reopening the comment period for the proposed rulemaking from February 25, 2021, until March 29, 2021. D. Christopher Evans, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2021–03361 Filed 2–24–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–09–P PO 00000 Coast Guard [Docket No. USCG–2021–0012] RIN 1625–AA09 Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Savannah River, Savannah, GA Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that governs the Houlihan Bridge (US 17), across the Savannah River, mile 21.6, at Savannah, Georgia and the Seaboard System Railroad Bridge, across the Savannah River, mile 27.4, near Hardeeville, South Carolina. This proposed rule would increase the advance notification time for an opening at the bridges. The proposed rule would also update the name and geographic location of the bridges. DATES: Comments and relate material must reach the Coast Guard on or before April 12, 2021. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG– 2021–0012 using Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed rule, call or email LT Alexander McConnell, with Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Savannah; telephone 912– 652–4353, x240, email Alexander.W.McConnell@uscg.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Table of Abbreviations CFR Code of Federal Regulations DHS Department of Homeland Security FR Federal Register OMB Office of Management and Budget NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking (advance, supplemental) § Section U.S.C. United States Code GDOT Georgia Department of Transportation SR State Route MHW Mean High Water II. Background, Purpose and Legal Basis Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) requested the Coast Guard consider changing the advance Frm 00006 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\25FEP1.SGM 25FEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11477-11478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03661]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0751; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-051-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Type Certificate 
Formerly Held by Agusta S.p.A) (Agusta) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that proposed to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-18-52, 
which applies to certain Agusta Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. AD 
2011-18-52 requires establishing a revised life limit for each tail 
rotor blade (blade), updating the existing historical records for your 
helicopter, repetitively inspecting each blade for a crack, and 
replacing certain blades. The NPRM was prompted by the manufacturer 
developing an improved blade using different materials and establishing 
life limits for those newly-designed blades. The NPRM proposed to 
require expanding the applicability to include the newly-designed 
blades and establish their life limits, and proposed to retain the 
requirement to inspect each blade for a crack and, if there is a crack, 
replace each blade with an airworthy blade. Since issuance of the NPRM, 
the FAA has determined that the NPRM does not adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

DATES: The FAA is withdrawing the proposed rule published September 5, 
2013 (78 FR 54596), as of February 25, 2021.

ADDRESSES: 

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0751; 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 AD action, the European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any comments received, and other 
information. The street 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: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General 
Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 
2011-18-52, Amendment 39-17020 (77 FR 23109, April 18, 2012) (AD 2011-
18-52). AD 2011-18-52 applies to Agusta Model AB139 and AW139 
helicopters with a blade part number (P/N) 3G6410A00131 or P/N 
4G6410A00131 installed. AD 2011-18-52 requires establishing a revised 
life limit for each blade, updating the existing historical records for 
your helicopter, repetitively inspecting each blade for a crack, and 
replacing certain blades. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
September 5, 2013 (78 FR 54596). The NPRM was prompted by the 
manufacturer first developing two new blades with an improved design 
and specified life limits and repetitive inspections for the blades. 
Also, EASA issued AD No. 2012-0030, dated February 17, 2012, which 
superseded EASA EAD No. 2011-0156-E, dated August 25, 2011, to add the 
new blades to the required actions. The manufacturer then developed two 
new blades with improved materials and specified new life limits and 
inspections for the blades. EASA then issued EASA AD No. 2012-0076, 
dated May 2, 2012, revised by EASA AD No. 2012-0076R1, dated July 13, 
2012 (EASA AD No. 2012-0076R1), to require the repetitive inspections 
and reduced life limits on the additional new blades.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    After issuance of the NPRM, EASA issued EASA AD No. 2012-0076R2, 
dated February 20, 2014, which revises EASA AD No. 2012-0076R1, to 
remove the repetitive 25 flight-hour inspections for blades P/N 
3G6410A00132, P/N 4G6410A00132, P/N 3G6410A00133, and P/N 4G6410A00133 
and extend the life limits for T/R blades P/N 3G6410A00133 and P/N 
4G6410A00133. Additionally, EASA advised that the life limits for T/R 
blades P/N 3G6410A00132 and P/N 4G6410A00132 have been incorporated in 
the Chapter 4 airworthiness limitations section of the maintenance 
manual. Further, since the FAA issued the NPRM, a significant amount of 
time has elapsed, which would require the FAA to reopen the comment 
period to allow the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed 
actions. Accordingly, the FAA has determined the NPRM does not 
adequately address the identified unsafe condition and has determined 
to withdraw the published NPRM and proceed with a separate rulemaking 
to address this unsafe condition.
    Withdrawal of the NPRM constitutes only such action and does not 
preclude the FAA from further rulemaking on this issue, nor does it 
commit the FAA to any course of action in the future.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to comment on the NPRM. The 
FAA received comments from one commenter.
    One commenter requested the FAA adjust the life limit for certain 
part-numbered blades to be more consistent with aviation standard 
practices and gave the examples of ``3 years since initial 
installation'' and ``5 years since manufacture.'' Since the FAA is 
withdrawing the NPRM, the commenter's request to adjust the compliance 
time is no longer necessary.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the NPRM 
does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition and the 
unsafe condition will be addressed in a separate AD. Accordingly, the 
NPRM is withdrawn.

[[Page 11478]]

Regulatory Findings

    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed 
nor a final rule. This action therefore is not covered under Executive 
Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Withdrawal

0
 Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. FAA-2013-
0751, which was published in the Federal Register on September 5, 2013 
(78 FR 54596), is withdrawn.

    Issued on January 21, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03661 Filed 2-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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