2024-05-06: Tail rotor system

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2024-05-06 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-22697; Docket No. FAA-2023-2244; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00972-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 14, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail rotor system. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion in principle structural elements. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of a part and 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 (EASA) AD 2023-0160, dated August 16, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0160). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0160 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0160 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0160. (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0160 specifies "Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved AMP," this AD requires replacing those words with "Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the airworthiness limitations section of your existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and your existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable." (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0160 is on or before the applicable "limitations" and "associated thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0160, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (5) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 2023-0160. (i) Provisions for Alternative Actions, Thresholds, and Intervals, Including Life Limits No alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, are allowed for compliance with paragraph (g) of this AD unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2023-0160. (j) Special Flight Permit 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 (l) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. (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. (l) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone (781) 238-7241; email: Sungmo.D.Cho@faa.gov . (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0160, dated August 16, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2023-0160, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this service information 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, email: visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email: fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on March 4, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-07342 Filed 4-8-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P