Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 147 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45765-45767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16415]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0214; Product Identifier 2018-SW-039-AD; Amendment 
39-21178; AD 2020-15-15]
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 EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a 
mechanical deformation found on the protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' 
control pushbutton installed on a copilot collective stick. This AD 
requires modification of the helicopter by replacing the protective 
cover and re-identifying the part number of the pilot and copilot 
collective sticks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3, 
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-2020-0214.

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-
0214; 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: Clark Davenport, Flight Test Analyst, 
Flight Test Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
telephone 817-222-5151; 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 EC225LP helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on April 8, 2020 (85 FR 19707). The NPRM was prompted by a mechanical 
deformation found on the protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' control 
pushbutton installed on a copilot collective stick. The NPRM proposed 
to require modification of the helicopter by replacing the protective 
cover and re-identifying the part number of the pilot and copilot 
collective sticks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address mechanical 
deformation on the protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton 
installed on a copilot collective stick, which could lead to unintended 
shearing of the hoist cable, possibly

[[Page 45766]]

resulting in loss of a hoisted load or person(s).
    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 2018-0106, dated May 
10, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP 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-
0214.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment 
received. Artem Svetlovsky agreed with the NPRM.

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 EC225-67A017, 
Revision 0, dated March 26, 2018. This service information describes 
procedures for modification of the helicopter by replacing the 
protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton and re-identifying 
the part number of the pilot and copilot collective sticks. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 12 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170...........................          $2,632           $2,802          $33,624
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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):

2020-15-15 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21178; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0214; Product Identifier 2018-SW-039-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 3, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 67, Rotorcraft 
Flight Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a mechanical deformation found on the 
protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton installed on a 
copilot collective stick. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this 
condition, which could lead to unintended shearing of the hoist 
cable, possibly resulting in loss of a hoisted load or person(s).

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definitions

    For the purposes of this AD, the definitions specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD apply.
    (1) Affected part: A pilot or copilot collective stick having 
part number (P/N) 704A41110139, equipment manufacturer NSE P/N 
N2000355.
    (2) Group 1 helicopters: Helicopters that have an affected part 
installed.
    (3) Group 2 helicopters: Helicopters that do not have an 
affected part installed. A helicopter that has embodied Airbus 
Helicopters Modification 332P084165 in production is a Group 2 
helicopter, provided that helicopter remains in that configuration.

[[Page 45767]]

(h) Required Actions

    For Group 1 helicopters: At the applicable compliance time 
specified in Table 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD, modify the 
helicopter by replacing the protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' 
control pushbutton and re-identifying the part number of the pilot 
and copilot collective sticks, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin EC225-
67A017, Revision 0, dated March 26, 2018.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30JY20.002

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    At the applicable times specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) 
of this AD: Do not install on any helicopter a ``SHEAR'' control 
pushbutton protective cover having P/N 700070 on the pilot or 
copilot collective stick, and do not install on any helicopter a 
pilot or copilot collective stick having P/N 704A41110139 (equipment 
manufacturer NSE P/N N2000355).
    (1) For Group 1 helicopters: After modification of the 
helicopter as required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (2) For Group 2 helicopters: From the effective date of this AD.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Clark Davenport, Flight 
Test Analyst, Flight Test 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, 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
2018-0106, dated May 10, 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-2020-0214.
    (2) For more information about this AD, Clark Davenport, Flight 
Test Analyst, Flight Test Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5151; email 
[email protected].

(l) 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 EC225-67A017, 
Revision 0, dated March 26, 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 July 16, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-16415 Filed 7-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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