Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter France) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 91 (Monday, May 11, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27665-27667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09947]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0827; Product Identifier 2019-SW-014-AD; Amendment 
39-21120; AD 2020-10-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Eurocopter France) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-12-07 
for Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model SA-365C, SA-365C1, 
SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 
helicopters. AD 2011-12-07 required repetitively inspecting the 
adhesive bead between the bushings and the Starflex star (Starflex) 
arms and the Starflex arm ends. This new AD retains the requirements of 
AD 2011-12-07 while omitting helicopters with an improved Starflex 
installed from the applicability. This AD was prompted by the 
development of the improved Starflex by Airbus Helicopters. The actions 
of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 15, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 15, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75052; telephone 972-641-0000 or 800-232-0323; fax 972-641-3775; or at 
https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. 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. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0827.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2019-0827; 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 AD, the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, 
any service information that is incorporated by reference, any comments 
received, and other information. The street 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to remove AD 2011-12-07, Amendment 39-16714 (76 FR 35346, 
June 17, 2011) (``AD 2011-12-07'') and add a new AD. AD 2011-12-07 
applied to Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model SA-365C, 
SA-365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-
366G1 helicopters and required a repetitive inspection of the adhesive 
bead between the bushing and the Starflex arm for a crack, a gap, or 
loss of the adhesive bead and the Starflex arm ends for delamination. 
AD 2011-12-07 was prompted by three cases of deterioration of a 
Starflex arm end. In two of these cases, the deterioration caused high 
amplitude vibrations in flight, compelling the pilot to make a 
precautionary landing.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2019 (84 
FR 58638). The NPRM proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2011-12-
07 but omit helicopters with an improved Starflex installed from the 
applicability.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2008-0165R1, dated June 30, 
2017 (EASA AD 2008-0165R1), issued by EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe 
condition for Airbus Helicopters Model SA 365 N, SA 365 N1, AS 365 N2, 
AS 365 N3, SA 365 C, SA 365 C1, SA 365 C2, SA 365 C3 and SA 366 G1 
helicopters, except helicopters with MOD 0762C37 installed in 
production. EASA advises that the Airbus Helicopters Starflex 
manufactured with improved materials make the 10-hour repetitive 
inspections specified in the original issue of its AD, EASA AD No. 
2008-0165, dated August 28, 2008 (EASA AD 2008-0165), unnecessary. EASA 
AD 2008-0165R1 retains the repetitive inspections from EASA AD 2008-
0165 but does not apply to helicopters with the new Starflex installed.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this AD, but did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA of the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after 
evaluating all information provided by EASA and determining the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters 
of these same type designs and that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD uses the word ``check,'' whereas this AD uses the word 
``inspect'' instead. In some ADs, the FAA uses the word ``check'' to 
designate specific actions that may be performed by the owner/operator 
(pilot). An

[[Page 27666]]

``inspection'' is a maintenance action that must be performed by a 
certificated person as specified in 14 CFR 43.3.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed one document that co-publishes four Airbus 
Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) identification 
numbers: No. 05.00.51 for Model 365N-series helicopters, No. 05.35 for 
Model 366G1 helicopters, No. 05.28 for Model 365C-series helicopters, 
and No. 05.00.21 for non FAA-type certificated military helicopters, 
all Revision 4 and dated November 20, 2014. EASB Nos. 05.00.51, 05.35, 
and 05.28 are incorporated by reference in this AD. EASB No. 05.00.21 
is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    This service information specifies visually inspecting the adhesive 
bead on the bushes of the Starflex arm ends for bonding failure of the 
bushes and distortion of the Starflex arm ends. This service 
information also specifies inspecting the leading edges and the 
trailing edges of the Starflex arm ends for delamination.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Master Servicing Manual (MSM) 
AS 365 N for Model SA-365N helicopters, MSM AS 365 N1 for Model SA-
365N1 helicopters, MSM AS 365 N2 for Model AS-365N2 helicopters, and 
MSM AS 365 N3 for Model AS 365 N3 helicopters, all Revision 7 and dated 
October 9, 2017. This service information provides a schedule of 
maintenance tasks for the helicopters.
    The FAA also reviewed one document that co-publishes four 
Eurocopter EASB identification numbers: No. 05.00.51 for Model 365N-
series helicopters, No. 05.35 for Model 366G1 helicopters, No. 05.28 
for Model 365C-series helicopters, and No. 05.00.21 for non FAA-type 
certificated military helicopters, all Revision 3 and dated August 18, 
2008. This service information specifies the same Accomplishment 
Instructions as Revision 4, which is issued under the name Airbus 
Helicopters, although Revision 4 excludes helicopters that have MOD 
0762C37 installed.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 35 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 
per work-hour.
    Inspecting the Starflex takes about 0.25 work-hour for an estimated 
cost of $21 per helicopter and $735 for the U.S. fleet per inspection 
cycle. Replacing the Starflex takes about 10 work-hours and parts cost 
about $65,900 for an estimated cost of $66,750.

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

    The FAA has determined that 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.

Adoption of 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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2011-12-07, Amendment 39-16714 (76 FR 35346, June 17, 2011), and adding 
the following new AD:
2020-10-02 Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Eurocopter France): Amendment 39-21120; Docket No. FAA-2019-0827; 
Product Identifier 2019-SW-014-AD.

 (a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate 
previously held by Eurocopter France) Model SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-
365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 
helicopters, certificated in any category, without Airbus 
Helicopters Modification 0762C37 (Starflex star arm part number (P/
N) 365A31-1212-00 or P/N 365A31-1213-00) installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of the Starflex 
star (Starflex) arm. This condition could result in high amplitude 
vibrations in flight and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2011-12-07, Amendment 39-16714 (76 FR 35346, 
June 17, 2011).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 15, 2020.

(e) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(f) Required Actions

    Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS:
    (1) Visually inspect the adhesive bead between the bushing and 
the Starflex arm for a crack, a gap, and loss of the adhesive bead, 
and inspect the Starflex arm ends for delamination in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.B.1. and 2.B.2. 
of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 
05.00.51, Revision 4, dated November 20, 2014 (EASB 05.00.51), EASB 
No. 05.35, Revision 4, dated November 20, 2014 (EASB 05.35), or EASB 
No. 05.28, Revision 4, dated November 20, 2014 (EASB 05.28), as 
applicable to your model helicopter.
    (2) If there is a crack in the shockproof paint around the 
entire adhesive bead where the Starflex arm joins the bushing (as 
shown in Figure 2 of EASB 05.00.51, EASB 05.35, or EASB 05.28, as 
applicable to your model

[[Page 27667]]

helicopter), a gap between the adhesive bead and the bushing (as 
shown in Figure 3 of EASB 05.00.51, EASB 05.35, or EASB 05.28, as 
applicable to your model helicopter), delamination of a Starflex arm 
end (as shown in Figure 4 of EASB 05.00.51, EASB 05.35, or EASB 
05.28, as applicable to your model helicopter), or loss of adhesive 
bead (as shown in Figure 5 of EASB 05.00.51, EASB 05.35, or EASB 
05.28, as applicable to your model helicopter), replace the Starflex 
before further flight.

(g) Credit for Previous Actions

    Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the procedures specified in Eurocopter Emergency 
Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 05.00.51, 05.35, or 05.28, all Revision 
3 and dated August 18, 2008, as applicable to your model helicopter, 
are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD as long as the last 
inspection was accomplished within the prior 10 hours TIS.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests 
that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office 
or certificate holding district office, before operating any 
aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(i) Additional Information

    (1) Airbus Helicopters Master Servicing Manual (MSM) AS 365 N, 
MSM AS 365 N1, MSM AS 365 N2, and MSM AS 365 N3, all Revision 7 and 
dated October 9, 2017; and Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin Nos. 05.00.51, 05.35, 05.28, and 05.00.21, all Revision 3 
and dated August 18, 2008, which are not incorporated by reference, 
contain additional information about the subject of this AD. For 
service information identified in this AD, use the contact 
information in paragraphs (k)(3) and (4).
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
No. 2008-0165R1, dated June 30, 2017. You may view the EASA AD on 
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2019-
0827.

(j) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200, Main Rotor 
System.

(k) 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) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) 
No. 05.00.51, Revision 4, dated November 20, 2014.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters EASB No. 05.28, Revision 4, dated 
November 20, 2014.
    (iii) Airbus Helicopters EASB No. 05.35, Revision 4, dated 
November 20, 2014.

    Note 1 to paragraph (k)(2): Airbus Helicopters EASB Nos. 
05.00.51, 05.28, 05.35, all Revision 4 and dated November 20, 2014, 
are co-published as one document along with Airbus Helicopters EASB 
No. 05.00.21, Revision 4, dated November 20, 2014, which is not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.

    (3) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in 
this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 972-641-0000 or 800-232-0323; fax 972-
641-3775; or at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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 service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on May 5, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-09947 Filed 5-8-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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