Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 212 (Monday, November 2, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69126-69129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23976]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0585; Product Identifier 2019-SW-112-AD; Amendment 
39-21297; AD 2020-22-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 
helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the affected parts and 
associated frame bores for discrepancies, applicable corrective 
actions, and reporting certain information if necessary. This AD was 
prompted by reports of corrosion on attachment screws and fittings 
fastening the main gearbox (MGB) suspension bars to the fuselage. The 
actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 7, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of December 7, 
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 the referenced 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-2020-
0585.

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-
0585; 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 Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any 
service information that is incorporated by reference, any comments 
received, and other

[[Page 69127]]

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: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace 
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-
3218; 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 AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2020 (85 FR 43749). The 
NPRM proposed to require accomplishing actions specified in the service 
information and sending certain inspection results to the manufacturer.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2019-0295, dated December 5, 
2019, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for all 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 
helicopters. EASA advises that there were reports of corrosion on 
attachment screws and fittings fastening the rear MGB suspension bars, 
right and left hand sides, to the fuselage, and the attachment screws 
and fitting fastening the front MGB suspension bar to the fuselage. 
Subsequent investigation determined that during maintenance visits of 
an identified batch of helicopters between September 2012 and April 
2019, application of compound sealant on MGB suspension bar attachment 
screws may not have been accomplished using the approved maintenance 
data. The EASA AD requires a one-time inspection of the affected parts, 
and depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective 
actions. The compliance times vary depending on helicopter 
configuration.
    For helicopters identified in Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1, dated March 2, 2020, the 
earliest inspection compliance time is within 100 flight hours or 6 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. For 
helicopters identified in Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.07, 
Revision 0, dated October 21, 2019, the earliest inspection compliance 
time is within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
    For helicopters identified in Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-
53.02.05, Revision 1, dated March 2, 2020, the latest initial 
inspection compliance time is within 3,800 flight hours or 3 years and 
6 months, whichever occurs first, since the last maintenance action at 
Airbus Helicopters Marignane. For helicopters identified in Airbus 
Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated October 21, 2019, the 
latest initial inspection compliance time is within 3,800 flight hours 
since last removal.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address corrosion on attachment 
fittings and attachment screws for the MGB suspension bars. This 
condition, if not addressed, could lead to structural failure of the 
MGB attachment screws, resulting in detachment of MGB suspension bars 
from the fuselage and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Comments

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

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by EASA and is 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 of the information provided by EASA and determining the 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of these same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters has issued ASB No. AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1, 
dated March 2, 2020; and ASB No. AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated 
October 21, 2019, which specify procedures for inspecting the 
attachment fittings and attachment screws of the MGB suspension bars 
and their frame bores for discrepancies and corrective actions. This 
inspection includes an inspection of the attachment fittings and 
attachment screws of the MGB suspension bars for corrosion and an 
inspection of the attachment screws for evidence of sealing compound. 
The corrective actions include replacing or repairing corroded parts 
and replacing screws that have sealing compound on them. These 
documents are distinct since they apply to different helicopter models 
in different configurations.
    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

    Airbus Helicopters has also issued ASB No. AS332-53.02.05, Revision 
0, dated April 18, 2019, which specifies procedures for inspecting the 
attachment fittings and attachment screws of the MGB suspension bars 
and their frame bores for discrepancies and corrective actions.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 12 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. To comply with this AD, the FAA 
estimates that it will take up to about 16 work-hours, for an estimated 
cost of $1,360 per helicopter and $16,320 for the U.S. fleet. The FAA 
estimates that it will take about 1 hour per helicopter to comply with 
the on-condition reporting requirement in this AD.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

[[Page 69128]]

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 helicopters 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:

2020-22-01 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21297; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0585; Product Identifier 2019-SW-112-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 7, 
2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, 
AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5340, Fuselage 
main, attach fittings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on attachment 
screws and fittings fastening the main gearbox (MGB) suspension bars 
to the fuselage. The FAA is issuing this AD to address corrosion on 
attachment fittings and attachment screws for the MGB suspension 
bars. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to structural 
failure of the MGB attachment screws, resulting in detachment of MGB 
suspension bars from the fuselage and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

(f) 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.

(g) Definitions

    Affected parts are attachment screws and fitting(s) fastening 
the parts identified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Rear MGB suspension bars, right and left sides, to the 
fuselage.
    (2) Front MGB suspension bar to the fuselage.

(h) Inspection

    Except as specified in paragraphs (j)(1) through (3) of this AD: 
Within the applicable compliance times identified in paragraph 
(h)(1) or (2) of this AD, inspect each affected part and its frame 
bores for discrepancies, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Section 3.B.2, of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1, dated March 2, 2020; or 
Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated October 21, 
2019, as applicable. For the purposes of this inspection, a 
discrepancy may be indicated by corrosion on the MGB attachment 
fitting or by sealing compound on the attachment screws.
    (1) Table 1 or 2, as applicable, of Section 1.E.2, ``Compliance 
in service,'' of Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1, 
dated March 2, 2020.
    (2) Table 1 of Section 1.E.2, ``Compliance in service,'' of 
Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.07, dated October 21, 2019.

(i) Corrective Action

    Except as required by paragraph (j)(4) of this AD: If, during 
the inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, there is any 
discrepancy, before further flight, do the applicable corrective 
action (including replacing or repairing corroded parts and 
replacing screws that have sealing compound on them), in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, Section 3.B.2, of Airbus 
Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1, dated March 2, 2020; or 
ASB AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated October 21, 2019, as 
applicable.

 (j) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1, 
dated March 2, 2020, uses the phrase ``Revision 0 of this ASB issued 
on April 18, 2019,'' this AD requires using ``the effective date of 
this AD.''
    (2) Where Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, 
dated October 21, 2019, uses the phrase ``receipt of this ASB,'' 
this AD requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
    (3) Where Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1, 
dated March 2, 2020; and ASB AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated 
October 21, 2019, specify discarding parts, you are not required to 
discard parts.
    (4) Where Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1, 
dated March 2, 2020; and ASB AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated 
October 21, 2019, specify contacting Airbus Helicopters for repair 
instructions: This AD requires repair using a method approved by the 
Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA. The Manager's approval 
letter must specifically refer to this AD.

(k) Reporting

    If, during the inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, 
there is any discrepancy, report the inspection results to Airbus 
Helicopters at the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or 
(2) of this AD. The report should include the information specified 
in Appendix 4.A. of Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05, Revision 
1, dated March 2, 2020; or ASB AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated 
October 21, 2019, as applicable.
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) 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.

(l) Credit for Previous Actions

    For helicopters identified in Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-
53.02.05, Revision 1, dated March 2, 2020: This paragraph provides 
credit for actions required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if 
those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD 
using Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05, Revision 0, dated April 
18, 2019.

(m) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to

[[Page 69129]]

respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection 
of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The 
OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. 
Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to 
be approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering 
and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden 
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, 
including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

(n) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(o) Related Information

    (1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2019-0295, dated December 5, 
2019. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2020-0585.
    (2) 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.

(p) 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 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AS332-
53.02.05, Revision 1, dated March 2, 2020.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated 
October 21, 2019.
    (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 October 13, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-23976 Filed 10-30-20; 8:45 am]
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