Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37549-37551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13404]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0238; Product Identifier 2018-SW-072-AD; Amendment 
39-21144; AD 2020-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by a report that a changed manufacturing process for the tail 
rotor blades (TRB) was implemented, affecting the structural 
characteristics of the blades and generating a new part number for 
these blades. This AD requires re-identifying each affected TRB having 
a certain part number and serial number and establishing a life limit 
for the new part numbers. This AD also prohibits installation of any 
affected TRB identified with the old part number on any helicopter. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 28, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 28, 
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. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 817-222-5110. It is also available on the internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0238.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0238; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other information. The 
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: Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5485; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Helicopters 
Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on March 11, 2020 (85 FR 14180). The NPRM was prompted 
by a report that a changed manufacturing process for the TRB was 
implemented, affecting the structural characteristics of the blades and 
generating a new part number for these blades. The NPRM proposed to 
require re-identifying each affected TRB having a certain part number 
and serial number and establishing a life limit for the new part 
numbers. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installation of any 
affected TRB identified with the old part number on any helicopter. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to ensure the new part number (P/N) TRBs do not 
exceed their life limit, which could lead to loss of the TRB and

[[Page 37550]]

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0182, dated 
August 28, 2018 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 
helicopters. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0238.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, 
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin EC130-04A007, 
Revision 0, dated July 18, 2018 (``ASB EC130-04A007''). This service 
information describes procedures for re-identifying a TRB with P/N 
350A333002.02 for certain serial numbers, as specified in ASB EC130-
04A007. 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.

Difference Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    EASA AD 2018-0182 specifies to replace TRBs having P/N 
350A333002.05. However, this part number is not installed on in-service 
helicopters and is not addressed in Airbus Helicopters ASB EC130-
04A007. Therefore, this AD does not require replacing TRBs having P/N 
350A333002.05.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 253 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions*
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................         $0 \**\              $85      $21,505 \*\
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* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the agency to provide cost estimates for the
  additional applicable maintenance instructions specified in this AD.
** The FAA has received no definitive data on the parts costs for required actions.

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

    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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2020-12-09 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21144; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0238; Product Identifier 2018-SW-072-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is July 28, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and 
EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 6410, Tail rotor 
blade.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that a new manufacturing 
process for the tail rotor blades (TRBs) has been implemented, 
affecting the structural characteristics of the TRB and generating a 
new part number (P/N) for these blades. It was determined that a new 
life limit is needed for the new P/N TRBs. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to ensure the new P/N TRBs do not exceed their life limit, which 
could lead to loss of the TRB and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

[[Page 37551]]

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Definition of an Affected Part for the Re-identification and 
Validation of Rework/Repair/Modification

    An ``affected part'' is a TRB having P/N 350A333002.02 and a 
serial number specified in Appendix 4.A. of Airbus Helicopters Alert 
Service Bulletin EC130-04A007, Revision 0, dated July 18, 2018 
(``ASB EC130-04A007'').

(h) Part Replacement (Life Limit Implementation)

    Before exceeding 10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) since first 
installation on a helicopter: Remove from service each TRB having P/
N 350A333002.04.

(i) Part Re-Identification and Validation of Rework/Repair/Modification

    (1) Within 1,200 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD: 
Re-identify each affected part, in accordance with 3.B. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Helicopters ASB EC130-04A007.
    (2) For each affected part which has been subject to rework, 
repair, or modification before the re-identification, as required by 
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, within 6 months after the effective 
date of this AD, contact the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 
FAA, for additional applicable maintenance instructions and, within 
the compliance time identified in those instructions, accomplish 
those instructions accordingly.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition and Rework/Repair/Modification 
Limitation

    (1) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
TRB having P/N 350A333002.02 and a serial number specified in 
Appendix 4.A. of ASB EC130-04A007 on any helicopter.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may 
accomplish any rework, repair, or modification of an affected part, 
unless it has been determined that the rework, repair, or 
modification is FAA-approved for P/N 350A333002.04.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Kristi Bradley, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 
817-222-5485; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
2018-0182, dated August 28, 2018. This EASA AD may be found in the 
AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0238.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Kristi Bradley, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft 
Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
telephone 817-222-5485; email [email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin EC130-04A007, 
Revision 0, dated July 18, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For 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 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 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 June 4, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-13404 Filed 6-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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