Federal Aviation Administration May 20, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. This AD was prompted by the failure of a second stage planet gear installed in the main gearbox (MGB). This AD requires repetitively inspecting the MGB particle detector and the MGB bottom housing (oil sump) for metal particles, analyzing any metal particles that are found, and replacement of the MGB if necessary, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO- 105S, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that aging of the elastomeric material in a tension torsion strap (TT-strap) could affect the structural characteristics of the TT-strap. This AD requires replacement of certain TT-straps with serviceable parts and implementation of a new storage life limit for TT-straps, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now 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.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Palestine Municipal Airport, Palestine, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review due to the decommissioning of the Palestine non- directional beacon (NDB). The geographical coordinates of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Muscle Shoals, AL, due to the decommissioning of the Muscle Shoals Very High Frequency Omni- Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC), and cancellation of the associated approach at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport. This action would also update the airport name under the Class E surface airspace. This action would also make an editorial change replacing the term Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the legal descriptions of associated Class E airspace. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to supersede AD 2002-08-16, which applies to certain Eurocopter France SA341G, SA342J, and SA-360C helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require removing certain main rotor head torsion tie bars (tie bars) from service and revising the limitations section of the existing maintenance manual for your helicopter by adding life limits for those tie bars. The NPRM was prompted by the determination that another part- numbered tie bar was affected by the same unsafe condition. This action reopens the comment period because a significant amount of time has elapsed since the NPRM was published. This action also revises the NPRM by updating the type certificate holder's name, updating the estimated cost information, clarifying the requirements and compliance times, and adding parts installation prohibitions. The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the agency is requesting comments on this SNPRM.