Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, 16632-16634 [2022-06043]

Download as PDF 16632 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2022 / Rules and Regulations inadvertent and malicious changes to, and all adverse impacts upon, airplane equipment, systems, networks, and other assets required for safe flight and operations. 2. The applicant must establish appropriate procedures to allow the operator to ensure that continued airworthiness of the airplane is maintained, including all post-typecertification modifications that may have an impact on the approved electronic-system security safeguards. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 18, 2022. Patrick R. Mullen, Manager, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022–06205 Filed 3–23–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Examining the AD Docket DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2021–0021; Project Identifier MCAI–2020–01088–R; Amendment 39–21994; AD 2021–03–16R1] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Final rule; removal; request for comments. AGENCY: The FAA is removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021–03– 16, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. AD 2021–03–16 required inspecting each sliding door and replacing the upper rail or front roller or removing the front roller from service if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2021–03–16, inspection results and further investigation have confirmed that the in-flight loss of a sliding door, which prompted AD 2021–03–16, was an isolated case resulting from incorrect operation and maintenance error. Therefore, the FAA has determined that no unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on the sliding doors on other helicopters in the fleet. Accordingly, AD 2021–03–16 is removed. DATES: This AD becomes effective March 24, 2022. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by May 9, 2022. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:07 Mar 23, 2022 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. ADDRESSES: Jkt 256001 You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0021; 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 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: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222–5110; email matthew.fuller@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 ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2021–0021 and Project Identifier MCAI–2020– 01088–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 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222– 5110; email matthew.fuller@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 EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020– 0175–CN, dated September 13, 2021 (EASA AD 2020–0175–CN) to cancel EASA AD 2020–0175, dated August 5, 2020 (EASA AD 2020–0175) which was issued to correct an unsafe condition for all serial-numbered Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350 and AS 355 helicopters if equipped with a left-hand (LH) and/or right-hand (RH) sliding door. EASA AD 2020–0175 prompted FAA AD 2021–03–16, Amendment 39– 21419 (86 FR 9433, February 16, 2021) (AD 2021–03–16). AD 2021–03–16 applied to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters with any sliding door installed. AD 2021–03–16 required, within 30 hours time-inservice, inspecting the upper rail of each RH and LH door for parallelism, deformation, corrosion, and cracking and repairing or replacing the upper rail before further flight if necessary; and E:\FR\FM\24MRR1.SGM 24MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2022 / Rules and Regulations with each sliding door removed, inspecting the front roller to determine if it is below the minimum diameter and height, if it has any corrosion or flat spot, and if it is correctly installed. If the front roller was below the minimum diameter, below the minimum height, or had any flat spot or corrosion, AD 2021– 03–16 required removing the front roller from service before further flight. If the front roller was not correctly installed, AD 2021–03–16 required reinstalling it correctly before further flight. Actions Since AD 2021–03–16 Was Issued Since the FAA issued AD 2021–03– 16, reported inspection results and further investigation have confirmed that the in-flight loss of the sliding door, which prompted EASA AD 2020–0175 and AD 2021–03–16, was an isolated case resulting from incorrect operation and maintenance error, and therefore no unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on the affected helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to remove AD 2021–03–16. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES 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. There are currently 965 helicopters of U.S. registry affected by AD 2021–03– 16. However, the FAA notes that AD 2021–03–16 required unnecessary inspections because the identified unsafe condition does not exist on these helicopters. Therefore, it is unlikely that the FAA would receive any adverse comments or useful information about this AD from U.S. operators that would cause a need for public comment prior to adoption. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the foregoing reasons, 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:07 Mar 23, 2022 Jkt 256001 16633 FAA’s Conclusions List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that AD 2021–03–16 is not necessary. Accordingly, this AD removes AD 2021–03–16. Removal of AD 2021–03–16 does not preclude the FAA from issuing another related action or commit the FAA to any course of action in the future. Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. 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. Related Costs of Compliance Adoption of 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 Directive (AD) 2021–03–16, Amendment 39– 21419 (86 FR 9433, February 16, 2021), and ■ b. Adding the following new AD: ■ This AD adds no cost. This AD removes AD 2021–03–16 from 14 CFR part 39; therefore, operators are no longer required to show compliance with that AD. ■ Authority for This Rulemaking 2021–03–16R1 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39–21994; Docket No. FAA–2021–0021; Project Identifier MCAI–2020–01088–R. 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. Regulatory Findings The FAA 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 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. PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 24, 2022. (b) Affected AD This AD replaces AD 2021–03–16, Amendment 39–21419 (86 FR 9433, February 16, 2021). (c) Applicability This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, certificated in any category, with any sliding door installed. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5210, Passenger/Crew Doors. (e) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222– 5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov. (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2020–0175–CN, dated September 13, 2021. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA–2021–0021. (f) Material Incorporated by Reference None. E:\FR\FM\24MRR1.SGM 24MRR1 16634 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2022 / Rules and Regulations Issued on March 17, 2022. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022–06043 Filed 3–23–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 15 CFR Part 997 [Docket No. 220228–0064] RIN 0648–BK83 U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Office, Legislation; Name Change U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Final rule, technical amendment. AGENCY: The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Office, led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), issues this final rule to change the name for ‘‘Regional Information Coordination Entities (RICEs)’’ to ‘‘Regional Coastal Observing Systems.’’ This rule has no substantive effect. DATES: These regulations are effective on March 24, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Oriana Villar at 240–533–9466 or Oriana.Villar@noaa.gov, or at U.S. IOOS Office, 1315 East West Highway, Suite 300, Silver Spring, MD 20910. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (ICOOS) Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111–11) (ICOOS Act or Act, codified at 33 U.S.C. 3601–3610) and the Coordinated Ocean Observation and Research Act of 2020 (Pub. L. 116– 271, Title I) (COORA, amending 33 U.S.C. 3601–3610), directs the President to establish a National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (System). The System must ‘‘include in situ, remote, and other coastal and ocean observation and modeling capabilities, technologies, data management, communication systems, and product development systems and [be] designed to address regional and national needs for ocean and coastal information, to gather specific data on key coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:07 Mar 23, 2022 Jkt 256001 variables, and to ensure timely and sustained dissemination and availability of these data.’’ 33 U.S.C. 3601(1). The ICOOS Act and COORA direct the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC) to develop contract certification standards and compliance procedures for integrating regional coastal observing systems into the System. 33 U.S.C. 3603(c)(2)(B)(v). The COORA Act, in amending the ICOOS Act, replaces the term Regional Information Coordination Entity (RICE) with the term Regional Coastal Observing System (RCOS). The term ‘‘‘regional coastal observing system’ means an organizational body that is certified or established by contract or memorandum by the lead Federal agency designated in section 12304(c)(3) and coordinates Federal, State, local, tribal, and private interests at a regional level with the responsibility of engaging the private and public sectors in designing, operating, and improving regional coastal observing systems in order to ensure the provision of data and information that meet the needs of user groups from the respective regions.’’ NOAA promulgated regulations in 2014 to develop certification criteria and procedures for integrating RICEs into the system. (June 5, 2014; 79 FR 32449). These regulations are found at 15 CFR part 997. By this final rule, NOAA is officially changing the name of the Regional Information Coordination Entity (RICE) to reflect the new name, Regional Coastal Observing System (RCOS), as defined in the COORA. This change is necessary to implement the new name established by the COORA in the implementing regulations. This name change has no substantive impact. By this final rule, NOAA is also updating its mailing address in 997.11(b) and changing the name of the ‘‘U.S. IOOS Program Office’’ to the ‘‘U.S. IOOS Office’’ in 997.20(b), 997.23(f)(5), 997.23(f)(5), and 997.24(a). These changes also do not have substantive impacts. I. Classifications A. Administrative Procedures Act This rule pertains solely to the renaming of ‘‘Regional Information Coordination Entities (RICEs)’’ to ‘‘Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOSs)’’ in an existing rule necessitated by the Coordinated Ocean Observation and Research Act of 2020 (Pub. L. 116–271, Title I). NOAA also is updating its mailing address and updating the name of the IOOS Office. It makes no changes to the substantive PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 legal rights, obligations, or interests of affected parties. This rule therefore is a ‘‘rule of agency organization, procedure or practice’’ and is therefore exempt from the notice-and-comment requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553 under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A). Nor is a 30-day delay in effective date required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) due to the non-substantive nature of this technical amendment. B. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Impact This rule has been determined to be not significant within the meaning of Executive Order 12866. C. Paperwork Reduction Act This rule does not contain any new or revisions to the existing information collection requirement that was approved by OMB (OMB Control Number 0648–0672, Application to be Certified as a Regional Information Coordination Entity) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. D. Regulatory Flexibility Act This regulation is exempt from the notice and comment provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553. Therefore, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act do not apply, 5 U.S.C. 603(a). No other rule requires a regulatory flexibility analysis and none has been prepared. List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 997 Science and technology. Nicole R. LeBoeuf, Assistant Administrator, for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, 15 CFR part 997 is amended as follows: PART 997— REGIONAL COASTAL OBSERVING SYSTEM 1. The authority citation for part 997 is revised to read as follows: ■ Authority: 33 U.S.C. 3602–3603. 2. In part 997: a. Revise the part heading to read as set forth above. ■ b. Remove the text ‘‘Regional Information Coordination Entity (RICE)’’ wherever it appears and add in its place ■ ■ E:\FR\FM\24MRR1.SGM 24MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16632-16634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06043]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0021; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01088-R; 
Amendment 39-21994; AD 2021-03-16R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; removal; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-03-16, 
which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, 
AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and 
AS355NP helicopters. AD 2021-03-16 required inspecting each sliding 
door and replacing the upper rail or front roller or removing the front 
roller from service if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-03-16, 
inspection results and further investigation have confirmed that the 
in-flight loss of a sliding door, which prompted AD 2021-03-16, was an 
isolated case resulting from incorrect operation and maintenance error. 
Therefore, the FAA has determined that no unsafe condition is likely to 
exist or develop on the sliding doors on other helicopters in the 
fleet. Accordingly, AD 2021-03-16 is removed.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 24, 2022.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by May 9, 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0021; 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 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 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: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

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 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0021 and Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01088-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 Matt 
Fuller, AD Program Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; 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 2020-0175-CN, dated September 13, 
2021 (EASA AD 2020-0175-CN) to cancel EASA AD 2020-0175, dated August 
5, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0175) which was issued to correct an unsafe 
condition for all serial-numbered Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350 and 
AS 355 helicopters if equipped with a left-hand (LH) and/or right-hand 
(RH) sliding door. EASA AD 2020-0175 prompted FAA
    AD 2021-03-16, Amendment 39-21419 (86 FR 9433, February 16, 2021) 
(AD 2021-03-16). AD 2021-03-16 applied to Airbus Helicopters Model 
AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, 
AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters with any sliding door 
installed. AD 2021-03-16 required, within 30 hours time-in-service, 
inspecting the upper rail of each RH and LH door for parallelism, 
deformation, corrosion, and cracking and repairing or replacing the 
upper rail before further flight if necessary; and

[[Page 16633]]

with each sliding door removed, inspecting the front roller to 
determine if it is below the minimum diameter and height, if it has any 
corrosion or flat spot, and if it is correctly installed. If the front 
roller was below the minimum diameter, below the minimum height, or had 
any flat spot or corrosion, AD 2021-03-16 required removing the front 
roller from service before further flight. If the front roller was not 
correctly installed, AD 2021-03-16 required reinstalling it correctly 
before further flight.

Actions Since AD 2021-03-16 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2021-03-16, reported inspection results and 
further investigation have confirmed that the in-flight loss of the 
sliding door, which prompted EASA AD 2020-0175 and AD 2021-03-16, was 
an isolated case resulting from incorrect operation and maintenance 
error, and therefore no unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop 
on the affected helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to remove AD 
2021-03-16.

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.
    There are currently 965 helicopters of U.S. registry affected by AD 
2021-03-16. However, the FAA notes that AD 2021-03-16 required 
unnecessary inspections because the identified unsafe condition does 
not exist on these helicopters. Therefore, it is unlikely that the FAA 
would receive any adverse comments or useful information about this AD 
from U.S. operators that would cause a need for public comment prior to 
adoption. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment 
are unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for 
the foregoing reasons, 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.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that AD 2021-03-
16 is not necessary. Accordingly, this AD removes AD 2021-03-16. 
Removal of AD 2021-03-16 does not preclude the FAA from issuing another 
related action or commit the FAA to any course of action in the future.

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.

Related Costs of Compliance

    This AD adds no cost. This AD removes AD 2021-03-16 from 14 CFR 
part 39; therefore, operators are no longer required to show compliance 
with that AD.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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 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.

Adoption of 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

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-03-16, Amendment 39-21419 
(86 FR 9433, February 16, 2021), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2021-03-16R1 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21994; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0021; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01088-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 24, 
2022.

(b) Affected AD

    This AD replaces AD 2021-03-16, Amendment 39-21419 (86 FR 9433, 
February 16, 2021).

(c) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Airbus Helicopters 
Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350D, AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with any sliding door installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5210, Passenger/Crew 
Doors.

(e) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Matt Fuller, AD 
Program Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
[email protected].
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2020-0175-CN, dated September 
13, 2021. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0021.

(f) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.


[[Page 16634]]


    Issued on March 17, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-06043 Filed 3-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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