DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0038; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00645-R;
Amendment 39-22756; AD 2024-10-10]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of an obstructed tail
rotor (TR) pedal control that was blocked during flight. This AD
requires a one-time inspection for proper positioning of the TR
actuator harness and cable ties installation and, depending on the
results, accomplishing corrective action, as specified in a 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.

DATES: This AD is effective July 23, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 23,
2024.

ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0038; 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 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For EASA material that is incorporated by reference in
this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu. You may find this
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. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0038.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (404)
474-5548; email william.mccully@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Helicopters
Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on February 2, 2024 (89 FR 7305). The
NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2023-0090, dated May 4, 2023 (EASA AD
2023-0090), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union. The EASA AD advises of a report where a
TR pedal control was blocked during flight. Subsequent investigation
found interference between the cable tie head of the TR actuator
harness and the pin fastener of the tail gearbox cowling. To address
this unsafe condition, the
manufacturer issued service information to provide instructions for
inspecting the positioning of the cable ties on the yaw harness.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time inspection for
proper positioning of the TR actuator harness and cable ties
installation and, depending on the results, accomplishing corrective
action, as specified in EASA AD 2023-0090. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at regulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2024-0038.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.

Conclusion

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 EASA AD referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and
determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed.
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0090 which requires visually
inspecting the position of the cable tie heads of the harness and
corrective actions (replacing the cable ties) if necessary.
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 ADDRESSES.

Other Related Service Information

The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
AS365-22.00.17, Revision 1, dated June 27, 2023. This service
information specifies procedures for accomplishing a one-time check of
the position of the two cable tie heads in relation to the dzus
prisoner of the right fairing of the tail gearbox and replacing the
cable ties if necessary.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

EASA AD 2023-0090 requires accomplishing the inspection within 165
flight hours, whereas this AD requires accomplishing the inspection
within 100 hours time-in-service.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 29 helicopters of U.S.
registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this AD.
Visually inspecting the position of the cable ties on the yaw
harness and interpreting the results takes about 1 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $2,465 for the U.S. fleet.
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs
that would be required based on the results of the required inspection.
The agency has no way of determining the number of helicopters that
might need this repair.
If required, removing and replacing a cable tie takes about 0.5
work-hour and parts cost up to about $10 for an estimated cost of $53
per cable tie 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

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,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive: