Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 160 (Tuesday, August 18, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50770-50771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17954]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0994; Product Identifier 2017-SW-002-AD; Amendment 
39-21216; AD 2020-17-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-14-05 
for Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2017-14-05 required 
replacing certain right-hand (RH) hydraulic pumps and was prompted by 
reports of broken screws that attach the cover of the hydraulic pump. 
This new AD requires replacing certain left-hand (LH) and RH hydraulic 
pumps. This AD was prompted by reports of broken bolts that attach the 
cover of the hydraulic pump. The actions of this AD are intended to 
address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 22, 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 referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, 
Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2018-0994; 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 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, AD Program Manager, 
Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, 
General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2017-14-05, Amendment 39-18949 
(82 FR 31899, July 11, 2017) (``AD 2017-14-05''). AD 2017-14-05 applied 
to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters with certain serial-
numbered LH and RH hydraulic pumps part number (P/N) FR65WEO2005-175A 
installed. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2020 
(85 FR 30891). The FAA preceded the SNPRM with a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal Register on October 21, 
2019 (84 FR 56152). The NPRM proposed to continue to require replacing 
the RH hydraulic pump within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS) and also 
proposed to require replacing the LH hydraulic pump within 110 hours 
TIS. The NPRM also proposed to continue to prohibit the installation of 
an affected hydraulic pump on any helicopter. The SNPRM proposed to 
expand the applicability to include helicopters that have an affected 
hydraulic pump on one or both of the LH and RH sides and change the 
proposed requirements to address helicopters with an affected hydraulic 
pump installed on only one side. The SNPRM also corrected the 
nomenclature of ``screw'' to ``bolt.''
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2016-0264-E, dated December 
22, 2016, 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 330 J helicopters. EASA advises of reports of 
broken screws that attach the cover of the hydraulic pump. A subsequent 
investigation revealed that hydrogen was introduced into a batch of 
screws delivered between July 1, 2015, and November 1, 2016, causing 
the screws to become brittle and lack sufficient strength. These screws 
were installed in a batch of hydraulic pumps, P/N FR65WEO2005-175A, 
identified by certain serial numbers (S/Ns). As a result, the EASA AD 
requires replacing the hydraulic pumps.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this AD, but did not receive any comments on the SNPRM or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

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 the same type design.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin No. SA330-29.12, Revision 0, dated December 22, 2016, which 
specifies removing Nexter Mechanics hydraulic pumps P/N FR65WEO2005-
175A with certain S/Ns. If both the RH and LH hydraulic pumps have an 
affected P/N and S/N, the service information specifies replacing the 
RH hydraulic pump before further flight and the LH hydraulic pump 
within 110 flying hours or 6 months. If only one hydraulic pump has an 
affected P/N and S/N, the service information specifies replacing it 
within 110 flying hours or 6 months. The service information also 
specifies that, for 6 months after receipt of the service information, 
an affected hydraulic pump must be ``returned to conformity'' by 
complying with Nexter Mechanics Alert Service Bulletin No. NM/INGE/16-
140, Revision 0, dated December 22, 2016, before installation.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 24 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the

[[Page 50771]]

FAA estimates that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD.
    Replacing a hydraulic pump takes about 2 work-hours and parts cost 
about $2,500 for an estimated cost of $2,670 per hydraulic pump.

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-14-05, Amendment 39-18949 
(82 FR 31899, July 11, 2017); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2020-17-11 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21216; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0994; Product Identifier 2017-SW-002-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with a left-hand (LH) or a right-hand 
(RH) hydraulic pump part number FR65WEO2005-175A with a serial 
number 4108, 4141, 4177, 4227, 4241, 4284, 4377, 4422, 4570, 4573, 
4574, 4641, 4649, 4668, 4766, 4802, 4821, 4831, 4837, 4888, 4896, 
4946, 4985, 5023, 5071, 5304, 5366, 5376, 5409, 5442, 5486, 5599, 
5630, 94075/01, or 94048/01 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a bolt 
attaching the hydraulic pump cover. This condition could result in 
loss of fluid from the hydraulic pump, resulting in loss of the 
hydraulic system and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-14-05, Amendment 39-18949 (82 FR 31899, 
July 11, 2017) (``AD 2017-14-05'').

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 22, 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

    (1) For helicopters with both a LH and RH hydraulic pump that is 
listed in paragraph (a) of this AD installed:
    (i) Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS) from July 26, 2017 
(the effective date of AD 2017-14-05), replace the RH hydraulic pump 
with an airworthy hydraulic pump that is not listed in paragraph (a) 
of this AD.
    (ii) Within 110 hours TIS from the effective date of this AD, 
replace the LH hydraulic pump with an airworthy hydraulic pump that 
is not listed in paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (2) For helicopters with either a LH or RH hydraulic pump that 
is listed in paragraph (a) of this AD installed, within 110 hours 
TIS from the effective date of this AD, replace the hydraulic pump 
with an airworthy hydraulic pump that is not listed in paragraph (a) 
of this AD.
    (3) After July 26, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-14-05), 
do not install on any helicopter a hydraulic pump that is listed in 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

(g) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, AD Program 
Manager, Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products 
Section, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 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 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
SA330-29.12, Revision 0, dated December 22, 2016, and Nexter 
Mechanics Alert Service Bulletin No. NM/INGE/16-140, Revision 0, 
dated December 22, 2016, which are not incorporated by reference, 
contain additional information about the subject of this AD. 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. You may 
view a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) AD 
No. 2016-0264-E, dated December 22, 2016. You may view the EASA AD 
on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-
2018-0994.

(j) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2913, Hydraulic 
Pump (Electric/Engine) Main.

    Issued on August 12, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-17954 Filed 8-17-20; 8:45 am]
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