Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 130 (Monday, July 12, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36485-36487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14688]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0297; Project Identifier 2019-SW-062-AD; Amendment 
39-21614; AD 2021-13-09]
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 
Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, all serial numbers. This 
AD was prompted by reports of the failure of the lower bearing cage of 
the main rotor hub (MRH) flapping hinges and of the presence of 
metallic particles at the bottom of a drag hinge. This AD requires 
repetitive inspections of the MRH chip detectors, or for helicopters 
not equipped with chip detectors, repetitive inspections of the oil for 
contamination by metallic particles, and corrective actions if 
necessary, 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 August 16, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 16, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
phone: +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-2021-0297.

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-

[[Page 36486]]

0297; 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: Mahmood G. Shah, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, 
TX 76177; phone: 817-222-5538; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0157, dated July 3, 2019 (EASA 
AD 2019-0157) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 
for Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, all serial numbers.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters 
Model SA330J helicopters, all serial numbers. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on April 13, 2021 (86 FR 19157). The NPRM was prompted 
by reports of the failure of the lower bearing cage of the MRH flapping 
hinges and of the presence of metallic particles at the bottom of a 
drag hinge. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections of the 
MRH chip detectors, or for helicopters not equipped with chip 
detectors, repetitive inspections of the oil for contamination by 
metallic particles, and corrective actions if necessary, as specified 
in an EASA AD.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of the lower bearing 
cage of the MRH flapping hinges and presence of metallic particles at 
the bottom of a drag hinge, which could lead to loss of flapping hinge 
function, resulting in MRH unbalance and loss of control of the 
helicopter. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

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 2019-0157 specifies procedures for repetitive inspections 
of the MRH chip detectors, or for helicopters not equipped with chip 
detectors, repetitive inspections of the oil for contamination by 
metallic particles, and corrective actions if necessary. Corrective 
actions include replacement of the incidence hinge bearings, 
replacement of the flapping bearing race and bearing or if there is no 
degradation reinstallation of the bearing race and bearing 180[deg] 
from the marked position during removal, and replacement of the drag 
lower bearing race and bearing. 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.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD interim action. The investigation to 
detect the root cause of the reported failures of the lower bearing 
cage of the MRH flapping hinges and presence of metallic particles at 
the bottom of the drag hinge is on-going.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340...........................              $0             $340           $1,360
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition replacements that would be required based on the results of 
any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
helicopters that might need these on-condition replacements:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,040.      $53,025.29       $55,065.29
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 36487]]

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.

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:

2021-13-09 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21614; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0297; Project Identifier 2019-SW-062-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 16, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, 
certificated in any category, all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6200, Main Rotor 
System.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of the failure of the lower 
bearing cage of the main rotor hub (MRH) flapping hinges and of the 
presence of metallic particles at the bottom of a drag hinge. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of the lower bearing cage 
of the MRH flapping hinges and presence of metallic particles at the 
bottom of a drag hinge, which could lead to loss of flapping hinge 
function, resulting in MRH unbalance and 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0157, dated July 3, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0157).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0157

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0157 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0157 does not apply 
to this AD.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2019-0157 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD 
requires using hours time-in-service.
    (4) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-
0157 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing 
those parts from service.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the 
helicopter can be modified (if the operator elects to do so), 
provided the helicopter is operated during the day under visual 
flight rules with no passengers are onboard.

(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 Mahmood G. Shah, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: 817-222-5538; 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 2019-0157, 
dated July 3, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2019-0157, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +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-
2021-0297.
    (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 July 2, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-14688 Filed 7-9-21; 8:45 am]
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