Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, 19660-19662 [2025-08078]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 89 (Friday, May 9, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19660-19662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08078]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 89 / Friday, May 9, 2025 / Proposed 
Rules

[[Page 19660]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0752; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00340-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 all Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4 and EC 130 T2 helicopters. 
This proposed AD was prompted by a report of heavy damage on the 
fenestron due to the loss of the tail rotor (TR) blade, which broke at 
the TR hub tension-torsion bar (tension-torsion bar). This proposed AD 
would require inspecting the tension-torsion bar and, depending on the 
inspection results, taking corrective actions. This proposed AD would 
also prohibit performing maintenance using certain maintenance manuals. 
These proposed 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 June 23, 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.
     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-2025-0752; 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: Tara Lucas, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 
231-3189; 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-2025-0752; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00340-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 Tara 
Lucas, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590. 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 2024-0113, dated June 13, 2024 (EASA 
AD 2024-0113) (also referred to as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition on Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4 and EC 130 T2 
helicopters. The MCAI states an occurrence was reported of heavy damage 
on the fenestron due to the loss of the TR blade, which broke at the 
tension-torsion bar and separated from the hub assembly. The FAA is 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the tension-torsion bar, which 
could result in loss of the TR anti-torque function and consequent loss 
control of the helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0752.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0113, which specifies procedures for 
inspecting all lamellas that compose the tension-torsion bar and, if 
any discrepancy is detected, replacing the

[[Page 19661]]

part with a serviceable part. The material referenced by EASA AD 2024-
0113 defines discrepancies as cracks, nail-sensitive scratches, 
distorted lamellas, circular contact indications, and marks. EASA AD 
2024-0113 also prohibits accomplishing maintenance using certain 
maintenance manuals dated prior to March 5, 2024.
    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 the same type designs.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2024-0113, described previously, as incorporated by 
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this proposed 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, the 
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2024-0113 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
EASA AD 2024-0113 in its entirety through that incorporation, except 
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of 
this proposed AD Material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0113 for 
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2025-0752 after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 108 helicopters of U.S. registry. Labor rates are estimated at 
$85 per hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD.
    Inspecting all 10 tension-torsion bars on each helicopter (to 
include removing any corrosion) would take 4 work-hours for an 
estimated cost of $340 per helicopter and $36,720 for the U.S. fleet.
    If required, replacing a tension torsion bar would take 4 work-
hours and parts would cost $1,144 for an estimated cost of $1,484 per 
replacement.

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-2025-0752; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2024-00340-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by June 23, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 130 B4, and EC 
130 T2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6500, Tail rotor 
drive system.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of heavy damage on the 
fenestron, due to the loss of the tail rotor (TR) blade, which broke 
at the TR hub tension-torsion bar. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the tension-torsion bar. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in loss of the TR anti-torque function 
and consequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0113, 
dated June 13, 20204 (EASA AD 2024-0113).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0113

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0113 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0113 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2024-0113 defines Groups, for this AD, Group 1 
also includes those helicopters for which it cannot be determined if 
maintenance was accomplished using Aircraft Maintenance

[[Page 19662]]

Manual (AMM) 64-21-00.6-27A or 64-21-00.6-27B, dated earlier than 
March 5, 2024.
    (4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0113 specifies 
``discrepancies as identified in the ASB are,'' this AD requires 
replacing that text with, ``a discrepancy, which is defined as a 
crack, nail-sensitive scratch, deformed lamella, broken lamella, 
mark, circular contact indication (other than those on the first and 
last lamella of the tension-torsion bar), or the P/N is not written 
on the first and the last lamella, is.''
    (5) Where paragraph 3 of EASA AD 2024-0113 specifies ``an 
aeroplane,'' this AD requires replacing that text with ``any 
helicopter.''
    (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0113 specifies 
to discard parts, this AD requires removing those parts from 
service.
    (7) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0113 specifies 
actions for non-installed equipment or parts, this AD does not 
require those actions.
    (8) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0113.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0113 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(j) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(k) 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 and email 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. The following provisions also apply to this AD.

(l) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Tara Lucas, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; phone: (206) 231-3189; email: [email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0113, 
dated June 13, 2024.
    (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 May 1, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08078 Filed 5-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P