Federal Aviation Administration September 23, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-222 in the vicinity of Bethel, AK in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-04-21, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. AD 2021-04-21 requires an inspection of the attachment bolts of the main rotor (MR) hub scissors assembly for discrepancies and repair if necessary; part marking of the attachment bolts of the MR hub scissors assembly; and repetitive inspections of the part marking of the attachment bolts, and repair if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-04-21, the FAA has determined that additional part marking of the washer, scissor branch, and mast ring of the corresponding nut side, and repetitive inspections of the additional part markings are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2021-04-21; and also would require part marking of the washer, scissor branch, and mast ring of the corresponding nut side, and repetitive inspections of the additional part markings and repair if necessary; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reduced life limits being established for certain part-numbered tail rotor (TR) blades. This proposed AD would require determining the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of certain part-numbered TR blades, establishing a life limit for certain part-numbered TR blades, removing from service any TR blade that has reached or exceeded its life limit, creating a component history card, re-identifying certain part-numbered TR blades, and removing any TR blade from service before reaching its retirement life. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain TR blades on certain model helicopters. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS355NP helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of mechanical deformation found on the protective cover (also referred to as switch guard) of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton installed on a co-pilot collective stick of a Model EC225LP helicopter, caused by incorrect handling; due to having an identical design switch guard installed on the pilot collective stick, Model AS355NP helicopters are also affected. This proposed AD would require replacement of the protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton, and re-identification of the pilot collective stick, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.