2025-05-05: Flight Control System

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: 2025-05-05 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22977; Docket No. FAA-2024-2541; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00006-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 12, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2023-0002, dated January 5, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0002). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 2077, Flight Control System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a pilot collective pitch stick handle grip that broke into two pieces when a maintenance technician pulled the handle grip during helicopter maintenance. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the pilot collective pitch stick handle grip. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced integrity of the flight control system 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, EASA AD 2023-0002. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0002 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0002 defines "the ASB" as "AH Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) SA341 67.06 and ASB SA342 67.06 (published as a single document, also ref. No. ASB GAZ-67.06)," this AD requires replacing that text with "Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. GAZ-67.06, Revision 1, dated November 2, 2022." (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0002 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0002 specifies discarding certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0002. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0002 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: 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. (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 2023-0002, dated January 5, 2023. (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 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, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on February 26, 2025. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-05776 Filed 4-4-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P