Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 8, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50224-50226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19252]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0449; Project Identifier 2018-SW-001-AD; Amendment 
39-21679; AD 2021-16-16]
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 AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, 
AS350B3, and AS350D helicopters; and Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, 
AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. This AD was prompted by 
reports that the lanyards (bead chain tethers), which hold the quick 
release pins to the forward bracket assembly of certain litter kits, 
can loop around the directional control pedal stubs, limiting the 
movement of the pedals. This AD requires modification of the lanyard 
attachment location for certain litter kit installations. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 13, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 13, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North 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 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. It is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0449.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0449; 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 
Transport Canada 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., Mail Stop: Room 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 certain Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and 
AS350D helicopters; and Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, 
and AS355NP helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
June 3, 2021 (86 FR 29705). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require 
modification of the lanyard attachment location for certain litter kit 
installations. The NPRM was prompted

[[Page 50225]]

by Canadian AD CF-2017-37, dated December 19, 2017 (Canadian AD CF-
2017-37), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority 
for Canada, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model 
AS 350 B, AS 350 BA, AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3, AS 350 D, AS 355 
E, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, AS 355 N, and AS 355 NP helicopters. 
Transport Canada advises that there have been reports that the 
lanyards, which hold the quick release pins to the forward bracket 
assembly of certain litter kits, can loop around the directional 
control pedal stubs, limiting the movement of the pedals, which affects 
the control of the flight. If this condition exists and is not 
corrected during installation, this limitation may not be apparent 
until the pedal input is required in flight. This condition, if not 
addressed, could result in difficulty controlling the helicopter.
    Accordingly, Canadian AD CF-2017-37 requires modification of the 
lanyard attachment location for certain litter kit installations. 
Canadian AD CF-2017-37 also specifies that installation of an affected 
part number litter kit is prohibited unless the installation conforms 
to the requirements of Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin SB-AHCA-128, 
Revision 0, dated March 24, 2017.

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 the aviation authority of 
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its 
technical representative, has notified the FAA of 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 
helicopters. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as 
proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin SB-AHCA-128, 
Revision 0, dated March 24, 2017. This service information specifies 
procedures for modifying the bead chain tether attachment locations for 
litter kits with certain part numbers. The modification includes 
relocating the bead chain tethers by removing the screws and washers 
for the pip pins on the forward bracket assembly; filling the empty 
holes with rivets; determining the new locations of and drilling new 
holes; and securing the bead chain tethers on the top side of the 
forward bracket assembly in the new hole locations. 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.

Differences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD

    This AD requires a pre-flight check prior to each flight to 
determine if there is interference between the lanyards that hold the 
quick release pins to the forward bracket assembly of the litter kit 
and the flight controls. This pre-flight check requirement will be 
terminated upon completion of the modification of the litter kit 
installation. Canadian AD CF-2017-37 does not include a requirement for 
the pre-flight check prior to each flight to determine if there is 
interference between the lanyards and the flight controls.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 967 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-flight check for lanyard       0.5 work-hour x $85              $0  $42.50 per           $41,097.50 per
 interference.                      per hour = $42.50                    inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle.
Modification of lanyard            1 work-hour x $85                 0  $85................  $82,195.
 attachment location.               per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

[[Page 50226]]

Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2021-16-16 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21679; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0449; Project Identifier 2018-SW-001-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 13, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, 
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D helicopters; and Model AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with litter kits installed having any 
part number specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD:
    (1) Part number (P/N) 350-200034 (left-hand litter kit).
    (2) P/N 350-200194 (left-hand litter kit).
    (3) P/N 350-200144 (right-hand litter kit).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that the lanyards (bead chain 
tethers), which hold the quick release pins to the forward bracket 
assembly of certain litter kits, can loop around the directional 
control pedal stubs, limiting the movement of the pedals, which 
affect the control of the flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address interference between the litter kit lanyards and the flight 
controls. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
limited flight control movement and difficulty controlling the 
helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For litter kits having any part specified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (3) of this AD: Prior to each flight until the 
modification required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD is 
accomplished, do a pre-flight check to determine if there is 
interference (e.g. limited movement of the pedals due to the 
lanyards that hold the quick release pins to the forward bracket 
assembly being looped around the directional control pedal stubs) 
between the lanyards that hold the quick release pins to the forward 
bracket assembly and the pedals. If interference is found, before 
further flight, do the modification required by paragraph (g)(2) of 
this AD for the affected litter kit. The pre-flight check may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with Sec.  43.9(a)(1) 
through (4) and Sec.  91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained 
as required by Sec.  91.417, Sec.  121.380, or Sec.  135.439.
    (2) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, modify the attachment location of the lanyard for 
litter kits having any part specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through 
(3) of this AD. Do the modification in accordance with paragraph 
3.B.2., ``Procedure,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Helicopters Service Bulletin SB-AHCA-128, Revision 0, dated March 
24, 2017.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Litter kits, P/N 350-200034 and P/N 
350-200194, may have been installed under supplemental type 
certificate (STC) SR00406NY (for Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, 
AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters) or STC SR00407NY (for 
Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D 
helicopters). Litter kit P/N 350-200144 may have been installed 
under STC SR00458NY (for Model AS350BA, AS350B2, and AS350B3 
helicopters).

(h) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
litter kit having a part number identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (3) of this AD, on any helicopter, unless the installation 
is modified as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.

(i) 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 (j)(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.

(j) 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., Mail Stop: Room 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 
(516) 228-7330; email [email protected].
    (2) For information about AMOCs, contact the Manager, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD 
CF-2017-37 dated December 19, 2017. You may view the Transport 
Canada AD at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2021-
0449.

(k) 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.
    (i) Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin SB-AHCA-128, Revision 0, 
dated March 24, 2017.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North 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 July 30, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-19252 Filed 9-7-21; 8:45 am]
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