Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 16, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9433-9436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03063]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0021; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01088-R; 
Amendment 39-21419; AD 2021-03-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, 
AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP 
helicopters. This AD was prompted by the in-flight loss of a sliding 
door. This AD requires inspecting each sliding door and replacing the 
upper rail or front roller or removing the front roller from service if 
necessary. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 3, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of March 3, 2021.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 2, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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-2021-
0021; 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 information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    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

[[Page 9434]]

searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General 
Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0021 and Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01088-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Matt 
Fuller, AD Program Manager, Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness 
Products Section, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued AD No. 2020-0175, dated August 5, 2020 (EASA 
AD 2020-0175), for all serial-numbered Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350 
and AS 355 helicopters if equipped with a left-hand (LH) and/or right-
hand (RH) sliding door. EASA advises that an AS 350 B3 helicopter lost 
the LH door in-flight. The event occurred while flying with the door 
locked in the open position. The results of the technical analysis of 
this event indicated that the loss of the sliding door resulted from 
the disengagement of the roller from the upper rail. This condition, if 
not detected and corrected, could lead to sliding door in-flight 
detachment, possibly resulting in damage to the helicopter, and/or 
injury to persons on the ground. EASA also advises that this scenario 
may also develop on AS 355 helicopters sliding doors due to design 
similarity. Accordingly, EASA AD 2020-0175 requires a one-time detailed 
inspection of the LH and/or RH sliding doors and, depending on 
findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions.

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 designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
AS350-52.00.54 and ASB No. AS355-52.00.32, each Revision 1 and each 
dated July 30, 2020 (ASB AS350-52.00.54 and ASB AS355-52.00.32). ASB 
AS350-52.00.54 applies to Model AS350-series helicopters and ASB AS355-
52.00.32 applies to Model AS355-series helicopters. The ASBs specify 
inspecting the upper rail and roller of the of the LH and/or RH sliding 
doors by inspecting the upper rail, and making sure that the 
parallelism between the sliding door and its frame is correct, that the 
front roller is in good condition, and that the installation of the 
front roller is correct. The ASBs also specify notifying Airbus 
Helicopters if any part is replaced and providing the part number of 
the part replaced and the serial number and time since new of the 
helicopter.
    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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, within 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspecting the upper rail of each RH and LH 
door for parallelism, deformation, corrosion, and cracking and 
repairing or replacing the upper rail before further flight if 
necessary; and with each sliding door removed, inspecting the front 
roller to determine if it is below the minimum diameter and height, if 
it has any corrosion or flat spot, and if it is correctly installed. If 
the front roller is below the minimum diameter, below the minimum 
height, or has any flat spot or corrosion, this AD requires removing 
the front roller from service before further flight. If the front 
roller was not correctly installed, this AD requires reinstalling it 
correctly before further flight.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    Due to a recent additional report of an in-flight door loss, this 
AD requires compliance within 30 hours TIS after the effective date of 
the AD; EASA AD 2020-0175 requires compliance within 165 flight hours 
or 13 months and 6 days, whichever occurs first. The EASA AD requires 
reporting information to Airbus Helicopters; this AD does not.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 965 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry and that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. Labor costs are $85 per work-hour.
    Inspecting each door will take about 2 work-hours for an estimated 
cost of $170 per helicopter and $164,050 for the U.S. fleet.

[[Page 9435]]

    Replacing each upper rail, if necessary, will take about 3 work-
hours and parts will cost about $3,200, for an estimated cost of $3,455 
per door.
    Replacing each front roller, if necessary, will take about 1 work-
hour and parts will cost about $250 for an estimated cost of $335 per 
door.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.) 
authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for 
rules when the agency, for ``good cause'' finds that those procedures 
are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' 
Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a 
final rule without seeking comment prior to the rulemaking.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because an initial action is required within 30 hours TIS, which could 
equate to 1 month in these high usage rotorcraft; and corrective 
action, if necessary, is required before further flight. Therefore, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and 
contrary to public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In 
addition, for the reasons stated above, the FAA finds that good cause 
exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective 
in less than 30 days.

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 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, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866, and
    2. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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:

2021-03-16 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21419; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0021; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01088-R.

(a) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Airbus Helicopters 
Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350D, AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with any sliding door installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an in-flight loss of a 
sliding door, which could result in damage to the helicopter or 
injury to persons on the ground.

(c) Affected ADs

    None.

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective March 3, 2021.

(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 30 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this 
AD:
    (1) Inspect the upper rail of each right hand (RH) and left hand 
(LH) door for parallelism, deformation, corrosion, and cracking. If 
necessary, adjust the sliding door, ensuring that the parallelism 
between the sliding door and its frame does not exceed 1.5 mm (.059 
in) on a length of 1,200 mm (47.24 in). The frame includes the 
sliding door, the overhead panel, and the two rear bulkheads. Repair 
or replace the upper rail before further flight if there is any 
deformation, corrosion, or cracking.
    (2) With the sliding door removed, inspect the front roller to 
determine if it is below the minimum diameter of 17.5 mm (0.69 in), 
below the minimum height of 17 mm (0.67 in), if it has any corrosion 
or flat spot, and to determine if it is correctly installed per 
Figure 1 of Airbus Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS350-52.00.54 
or ASB No. AS355-52.00.32, each at Revision 1 and dated July 30, 
2020, as applicable to your helicopter model. If the front roller is 
below the minimum diameter, below the minimum height, or has any 
flat spot or corrosion, before further flight, remove the front 
roller from service. If the front roller was not correctly 
installed, reinstall it correctly before further flight.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, AD 
Program Manager, Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products 
Section, General Aviation & 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 suggest 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.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2020-0175, dated August 5, 2020. You may 
view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2021-0021.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5210 Passenger/
Crew Doors.

(j) 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.

[[Page 9436]]

    (i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS350-
52.00.54, Revision 1, dated July 30, 2020.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS355-
52.00.32, Revision 1, dated July 30, 2020.
    (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 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 January 29, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03063 Filed 2-10-21; 4:15 pm]
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