2025-04-09: Bulkhead/Firewall

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-04-09 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22967; Docket No. FAA-2024-2147; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01515-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 11, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5412, Nacelle/Pylon, Bulkhead/Firewall. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by an engine compartment fire where the upper stiffener of the central firewall, made of aluminum, in the engine compartment was found damaged. The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of a central firewall stiffener made of aluminum, possibly due to its inability to withstand high temperatures of an engine fire and subsequently not seal the engine compartment properly. In the event of an engine fire, the unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in fire propagating from one engine compartment to the other and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements 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 2022-0231, dated November 28, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0231). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0231 (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0231 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0231 refers to flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0231 specifies discarding certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0231 states "If the bracket (f) is in unsatisfactory condition (DETAIL D)," this AD requires replacing that text with "Inspect the bracket (f) (DETAIL D) for airworthy condition; for the purpose of this AD, an unairworthy condition may be indicated by corrosion, a crack, or wear. If the bracket (f) is in an unairworthy condition." (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0231 states to "Do a check of the cover strip (g) and the fireproof seal (h) to replace if necessary (SECTION B-B)," this AD requires replacing that text with "Inspect the cover strip (g) and the fireproof seal (h) for airworthy condition. If the cover strip (g) or the fireproof seal (h) is in an unairworthy condition, remove each unairworthy part from service and replace it with a new (zero total hours time-in-service) part (SECTION B-B)." (6) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0231. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0231 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. (j) 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 (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 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. (k) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3758; email: Hye.Yoon.Jang@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0231, dated November 28, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 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, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on February 18, 2025. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-03698 Filed 3-6-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P