Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 78 (Monday, April 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21927-21929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08564]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1165; Project Identifier 2019-SW-027-AD; Amendment 
39-21499; AD 2021-08-05]
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 
certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This AD 
was prompted by the determination that a new life limit was necessary 
for certain tail rotor blades (TRBs). This AD requires replacing 
certain TRBs, re-identifying certain TRBs, and repairing certain other 
TRBs, 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 June 1, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 1, 
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 material on the EASA website at 
https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this 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-2020-1165.

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-
1165; 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: Blaine Williams, Aerospace Engineer, 
Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California, 
90712; telephone (562) 627-5371; 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 2019-0034, dated February 14, 2019 
(EASA AD 2019-0034) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 
for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. 
Although EASA AD 2019-0034 applies to all Model SA341G and SA342J 
helicopters, this AD applies to helicopters with an affected part 
installed instead.
    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 SA341G and SA342J helicopters. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on December 28, 2020 (85 FR 84275). The NPRM was 
prompted by the determination that a new life limit was necessary for 
certain TRBs. The NPRM proposed to require replacing certain TRBs, re-
identifying certain TRBs, and repairing certain other TRBs, as 
specified in an EASA AD.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address TRBs that might break, 
resulting in loss of tail rotor control and consequent loss of control 
of the helicopter. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

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

    EASA AD 2019-0034 describes procedures for replacing TRBs having 
certain part numbers, re-identifying TRBs having a certain part number 
and certain serial numbers, and repairing TRBs that have been reworked/
repaired/modified before being re-identified.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 20 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 21928]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................          $3,900           $3,985          $79,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2021-08-05 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21499; Docket No. FAA-
2020-1165; Project Identifier 2019-SW-027-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 1, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J 
helicopters, certificated in any category, equipped with any tail 
rotor blade (TRB) specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this AD.
    (1) An affected part as defined in European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0034, dated February 14, 2019 (EASA AD 
2019-0034).
    (2) A TRB having part number (P/N) 341A335101.01, P/N 
341A335130.05, or P/N 341A335130.06.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6410, Tail Rotor 
Blades.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the determination that a new life limit 
was necessary for TRBs that were manufactured without a new process 
that affects the structural characteristics. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address TRBs that might break, resulting in loss of tail rotor 
control and consequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(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, EASA AD 2019-0034.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0034

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0034 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0034 does not apply 
to this AD.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2019-0034 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD 
requires using hours time-in-service.
    (4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2019-0034 specifies to 
contact the manufacturer, for this AD, repair using a method 
approved by the Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA. 
For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, Strategic Policy 
Rotorcraft Section, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's 
approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.
    (5) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2019-0034 specifies it must 
be determined that the rework/repair/modification is valid for part 
number 341A335130.06, for this AD, rework/repair/modification of an 
affected part is prohibited.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 
21.199, are not allowed.

(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 manager of 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 Blaine Williams, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Lakewood, California, 90712; telephone (562) 627-5371; 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 2019-0034, 
dated February 14, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]

[[Page 21929]]

    (3) For EASA AD 2019-0034, 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-
2020-1165.
    (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 March 30, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-08564 Filed 4-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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