2025-13-09: Main rotor control

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-13-09 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-23075; Docket No. FAA-2025-0617; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00331-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 14, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6710, Main rotor control. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of two occurrences of loss of tightening torque between the upper ball bearing end and the main rotor (MR) servo-control. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect loss of tightening torque. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in disconnection between the upper ball bearing end and the MR servo-control, and consequent 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 paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0110, dated June 6, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0110). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0110 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0110 defines "the ASB", this AD requires replacing that definition with "Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AS365-67-30-0001, AS366-67-30-0001, or EC155-67-30-0001, each Issue 2 and dated May 15, 2024, as applicable for the model helicopter. For compliance with this AD, Model SA-365N and SA-365N1 helicopters are to use ASB AS365-67-30-0001, Issue 2, dated May 15, 2024". (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0110 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (3) Where EASA AD 2024-0110 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0110 and the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0110 specify "check", this AD requires replacing that text with "inspect" or "inspection" as applicable. (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0110 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0110 specifies hard point, for this AD a hard point may be indicated by resistance, ratcheting, blocking, or difficulty when turning the ball bearing end into the upper end fitting of the MR servo-control by hand. (7) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0110 specifies reporting inspection results (including no findings) to AH [Airbus Helicopters] within 7 days after the inspection required by paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0110, this AD requires reporting that information at the applicable time in paragraph (h)(7)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection required by paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0110. (ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. (8) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0110. (i) 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 (j) 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. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Peter Schmitt, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3377; email: peter.a.schmitt@faa.gov. (k) 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 2024-0110, dated June 6, 2024. (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 this EASA AD 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 July 1, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-12873 Filed 7-9-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P