Airworthiness Directives; Hélicoptères Guimbal Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 7, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49907-49909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19037]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0498; Project Identifier 2019-SW-072-AD; Amendment 
39-21722; AD 2021-19-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 49908]]

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters with any 
metal bushing installed on the main rotor (M/R) swashplate guide 
bellcrank. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks discovered on the 
M/R scissor link during scheduled maintenance on several helicopters. 
This AD requires removing all metal bushings from service, visually 
inspecting the lug bore area and depending on the inspection results, 
removing certain parts from service and installing certain part-
numbered plastic bushings. This AD also prohibits installing any metal 
bushing on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 12, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal, Basile Ginel, 1070, rue du 
Lieutenant Parayre, A[eacute]rodrome d'Aix-en-Provence, 13290 Les 
Milles, France; telephone 33-04-42-39-10-88; email 
[email protected]; web https://www.guimbal.com. 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. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0498; 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, the 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 
COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to 
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal (HG) Model Cabri G2 helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with any metal bushings installed on the 
main rotor (M/R) swashplate guide bellcrank and without plastic bushing 
part number HG22-1001 or HG modification 16-009. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on July 9, 2021 (86 FR 36241). In the NPRM, the 
FAA proposed to require within 50 hours time-in-service or 2 months, 
whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, 
disconnecting the bellcrank from the swashplate guide, removing each 
bolt and using a certain tool, removing certain parts from service. The 
NPRM also proposed to require visually inspecting the lug bore area for 
corrosion and cracks and depending on the inspection results, removing 
certain parts from service, or repairing the area using an FAA-approved 
method, installing certain part-numbered plastic bushings, coating the 
area with a compound, reinstalling certain parts, applying a specified 
torque, and installing cotter pins. The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 
2019-0185, dated July 30, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0185), issued by EASA, 
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European 
Union, to correct an unsafe condition for H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res 
Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters. EASA advises that during scheduled 
maintenance on several helicopters, cracks were found on the M/R 
scissor link due to corrosion. EASA states this corrosion was caused by 
stress induced by the mounting of the metal bushing inside the lug 
hole. EASA further states metal bushings are also installed on the M/R 
swashplate guide bellcrank, where similar cracking may occur. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the M/R 
swashplate guide bellcrank and reduced control of the helicopter.
    Accordingly, EASA AD 2019-0185 requires replacing any part-numbered 
metal bushing with plastic bushing part number (P/N) HG22-1001. EASA AD 
2019-0185 also prohibits installing any part-numbered metal bushing on 
the M/R swashplate guide bellcrank other than P/N HG22-1001 on any 
helicopter.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    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 about the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 17-003, Revision D, 
dated August 27, 2019 (SB 17-003 Rev D). This service information 
specifies disconnecting the bellcrank installed on the swashplate guide 
by removing the bolts that connect the bellcrank to the swashplate 
guide, removing any existing bushings, and visually inspecting the lug 
bore area for corrosion or cracks. This service information also 
specifies if there is any corrosion or cracks, reporting the 
information to HG support, installing the new plastic bushings, 
reinstalling the bellcrank, applying a specified torque, and installing 
cotter pins.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA also reviewed Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 17-003, Revision 
C, dated July 12, 2019 (SB 17-003 Rev C). SB 17-003 Rev C specifies the 
same procedures as SB 17-003 Rev D, except SB 17-003 Rev D updates the 
reference to EASA AD 2019-0185.

Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2019-0185

    EASA AD 2019-0185 applies to all Model Cabri G2 helicopters, 
whereas this AD only applies to Model Cabri G2 helicopters with any 
metal bushings installed and without HG modification 16-009. The 
service information required by the EASA AD requires contacting 
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal for corrective actions when 
corrosion or cracks are found in the lug bore area whereas this AD 
requires removing the swashplate guide from service or repairing it 
using an FAA-approved method.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 32 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this AD.
    Disconnecting the bellcrank, removing each metal bushing and 
visually inspecting for corrosion and

[[Page 49909]]

cracks would take about 0.5 work-hours for an estimated cost of $43 per 
inspection cycle.
    Installing each plastic bushing, coating with compound, re-
installing the bellcrank, and applying torque would take about 0.5 
work-hours and parts would cost about $10 for an estimated cost of $53 
per helicopter.

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.

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:

2021-19-04 H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal: Amendment 39-21722; 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0498; Project Identifier 2019-SW-072-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 12, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal (HG) Model 
Cabri G2 helicopters, certificated in any category, with any metal 
bushings installed on the main rotor (M/R) swashplate guide 
bellcrank and without plastic bushing part number HG22-1001 or HG 
modification 16-009.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700, Rotorcraft 
Flight Control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracks on the M/R scissor 
link. The FAA is issuing this AD to replace the metal bushings 
installed on the M/R swashplate guide bellcrank with plastic 
bushings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
failure of the M/R swashplate guide bellcrank and reduced control of 
the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 2 months, whichever 
occurs first after the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Disconnect the bellcrank from the swashplate guide by 
removing each bolt and, ensuring that the bellcrank remains attached 
to the flight control rod, remove each metal bushing from service 
using a bushing disassembly tool.
    (ii) Visually inspect the lug bore area for any corrosion and 
any cracks. If there is any corrosion or any cracks, before further 
flight, remove the swashplate guide from service or repair it using 
an FAA-approved method. If there is no corrosion and no cracks, 
install plastic bushing part number HG22-1001, coat plastic bushing 
with isolation compound, re-install the bellcrank, torque each bolt 
to 7.5 Nm-9 Nm (5.5 ft-lbs-6.6 ft-lbs), and install cotter pins.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
metal bushing on any helicopter.

(h) 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 (i)(1) 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez, 
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 
Stewart Ave, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; email [email protected].
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0185, dated July 30, 2019. You 
may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
in Docket No. FAA-2021-0498.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on August 30, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-19037 Filed 9-3-21; 8:45 am]
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