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PROPOSED AD EUROCOPTER FRANCE HELICOPTERS: Docket No. FAA-2007-27495; Project Identifier 2005-SW-14-AD
THE WITHDRAWAL

Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. FAA-2007-27495,
which  was  published  in  the  Federal Register on March 13, 2007  (72 FR
11297), is withdrawn.

Issued  on  February 24, 2021.  Gaetano A. Sciortino,  Deputy Director for
Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division,  Aircraft Cer-
tification Service.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27495; Project Identifier 2005-SW-14-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would
have applied to certain Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters)
Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D, and D1; EC-130B4; and AS355E, F,
F1, F2, and N helicopters. The NPRM would have required modifying the
collective hold-down strap (strap) and thereafter inspecting it at
specified intervals to ensure the rubber grommet is resting against the
console or replacing the strap with a strap that has a torsional spring
at the lower end of the strap. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA
issued AD 2014-02-05, which addresses the unsafe condition identified
in the NPRM. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

DATES: As of March 8, 2021, the proposed rule, which was published in
the Federal Register on March 13, 2007 (72 FR 11297), is withdrawn.

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-2007-27495;
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, 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: Vince Massey, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3545; email:
vince.massey@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued an NPRM that proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by
adding an AD that would have applied to the specified products. The
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 13, 2007 (72 FR
11297). The NPRM was prompted by reports of two accidents occurring
while the pilots were performing an autorotation. The pilots were
unable to arrest the descent of the helicopter using collective blade
pitch due to the collective stick locking in the down position when the
collective was lowered during the maneuver. The NPRM proposed to
require modifying the strap and thereafter inspecting it at specified
intervals to ensure the rubber grommet is resting against the console
or replacing the strap with a strap that has a torsional spring at the
lower end of the strap.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has published AD 2014-02-05,
Amendment 39-17733 (79 FR 5251, January 31, 2014) (AD 2014-02-05),
which addresses the unsafe condition for Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3,
C, D, and D1 helicopters identified in the NPRM. The FAA also
determined that the Model EC-130B4 helicopters and Model AS355E, F, F1,
F2, and N helicopters identified in the NPRM are not affected by the
unsafe condition because the root cause of the unsafe condition is
certain collective straps that are only installed on the Model AS350B,
BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D, and D1 helicopters. Therefore, the FAA has
determined that this AD action is not appropriate.

AD 2014-02-05 includes certain helicopters that were not included
in the NPRM. Although the NPRM applied only to helicopters with a
certain part-numbered hold-down strap, AD 2014-02-05 applies to Model
AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D, and D1 helicopters that do not have a re-
designed hold-down strap. AD 2014-02-05 corresponds with EASA AD 2009-
0019, dated February 3, 2009.

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.

Request To Revise the Applicability of the NPRM


The European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) and American Eurocopter, in consultation with
Eurocopter, requested that the applicability of the NPRM be limited to
helicopters modified by a Geneva center console supplemental type
certificate (STC).

The FAA acknowledges these comments to the NPRM. However, the FAA
considers the requested change to the NPRM moot by this withdrawal.

FAA's Conclusions

Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the NPRM
does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition and is
unnecessary due to other rulemaking. Accordingly, the NPRM is
withdrawn.

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.