Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 62 (Friday, April 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17290-17292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06780]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0909; Project Identifier 2019-SW-118-AD; Amendment 
39-21458; AD 2021-05-15]
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 
certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that the cabin lateral 
sliding plug door failed its emergency jettisoning test; subsequent 
investigation revealed that the jettison handle cable interfered with 
the cable clamps. This AD requires modifying the release system of each 
cabin lateral sliding plug door, or modifying the design of the 
jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, as specified 
in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is 
incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 7, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 7, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR material 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 in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0909.

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-
0909; 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 
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, Aviation Safety 
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 EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0064R1, dated December 19, 2019 
(EASA AD 2019-0064R1) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and 
AS332L1 helicopters.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 7, 2020 (85 FR 
63238). The NPRM was prompted by a report that the cabin lateral 
sliding plug door failed its emergency jettisoning test; subsequent 
investigation revealed that the jettison handle cable interfered with 
the cable clamps. The NPRM proposed to require modifying the release 
system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, or modifying the design 
of the jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, as 
specified in EASA AD 2019-0064R1, which is incorporated by reference.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition, which could 
lead to jamming of the door jettisoning mechanism, preventing the 
jettisoning of the affected door in an emergency situation, and 
possibly obstructing occupant evacuation. See the MCAI for additional 
background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment 
received. The commenter indicated support for the NPRM.

[[Page 17291]]

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, 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 IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0064R1 describes, among other things, procedures for 
modifying the release system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, 
or modifying the design of the jettison system of each cabin lateral 
sliding plug door.
    This material 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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    EASA AD 2019-0064R1 specifies inspections of the jettisoning 
mechanism of the cabin lateral sliding plug doors and corrective 
actions. This AD does not include those actions. AD 2019-09-03, 
Amendment 39-19637 (84 FR 22693, May 20, 2019) (AD 2019-09-03) already 
requires those actions. The FAA has determined that this AD will only 
require the modification specified in EASA AD 2019-0064R1, which would 
then terminate the requirements of AD 2019-09-03.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 19 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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               Labor cost                   Parts cost         Cost per product         Cost on U.S. operators
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Up to 214 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $ *   Up to $18,190.............  Up to $345,610.
 Up to $18,190.
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* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the agency to provide parts cost estimates for the
  actions specified in this AD.

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:

2021-05-15 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21458; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0909; Project Identifier 2019-SW-118-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 7, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2019-09-03, Amendment 39-19637 (84 FR 22693, 
May 20, 2019) (AD 2019-09-03).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, 
AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, certificated in any category, as 
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-
0064R1, dated December 19, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0064R1).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5200, Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that the cabin lateral sliding 
plug door failed its emergency jettisoning test; subsequent 
investigation revealed that the jettison handle cable interfered 
with the cable clamps. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this 
condition, which could lead to jamming of the door jettisoning 
mechanism, preventing the jettisoning of the affected door in an 
emergency situation, and possibly obstructing occupant evacuation.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, paragraph (3) or (4) of EASA AD 2019-0064R1.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0064R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0064R1 refers to April 10, 2019 (the 
effective date of EASA AD 2019-0064, dated March 27, 2019), this AD 
requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0064R1 does not 
apply to this AD.

[[Page 17292]]

    (3) If the modification specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 
2019-0064R1 is done, it must be done at the compliance time 
specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0064R1.
    (4) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-
0064R1 specifies to discard or scrap certain parts, this AD does not 
include that requirement.
    (5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0064R1 specifies to do a 
modification ``in accordance with the instructions of section 3 of 
the modification ASB'' this AD excludes paragraph 3.B.5. of ``the 
modification ASB.''
    (6) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2019-0064R1 refers to 
``Eurocopter AS 322 SB No. 52.00.28,'' for this AD use ``Eurocopter 
AS 332 SB No. 52.00.28.''

(i) Terminating Action for AD 2019-09-03

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all 
requirements of AD 2019-09-03.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Validation Branch, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen Arrigotti, 
Aviation Safety 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].

(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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0064R1, 
dated December 19, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2019-0064R1, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; Internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (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. This material may be 
found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2020-0909.
    (5) You may view this material 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 February 25, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-06780 Filed 4-1-21; 8:45 am]
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