Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7685-7687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02749]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0887; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00045-R; 
Amendment 39-21910; AD 2022-02-13]
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 EC120B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a 
report of corrosion found on the external tail boom skin, under the 
Very High Frequency (VHF) antenna. This AD requires inspecting the tail 
boom at the VHF antenna attachments and depending on the results, 
repairing or modifying the tail boom skin, 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 March 17, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 17, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For EASA material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, 
Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For Airbus

[[Page 7686]]

Helicopters 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 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. Service information that is IBRed is also 
available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0887.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0887; 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 
EASA AD, 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: Gregory Koenig, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe & Administrative Services Section, Chicago ACO Branch, 
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 2300 E Devon Ave., Des 
Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-7127; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0015, dated January 13, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0015), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 
Helicopters (AH), formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, Model EC 120 
B helicopters.
    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 EC120B helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
October 28, 2021 (86 FR 59655). The NPRM was prompted by a report of 
corrosion found on the external tail boom skin, under the VHF antenna 
of an EC120B helicopter. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the 
tail boom at the VHF antenna attachments and depending on the results, 
repairing or modifying the tail boom skin, as specified in EASA AD 
2021-0015.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to detect corrosion in the area of the 
external tail boom skin under the VHF antenna and prevent degradation 
of the tail boom structure. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in a possible roll-over during landing. See EASA AD 2021-
0015 for additional background information.

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 helicopters.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2021-0015 requires a one-time inspection of the VHF antenna 
attachments to the tail boom and, depending on the results, corrective 
action or modification of the tail boom.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
EC120-53A017, Revision 1, dated November 26, 2020. This service 
information specifies procedures for inspecting and modifying the VHF 
antenna attachments on the tail boom.
    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin No. 
EC120-53-018, Revision 0, dated November 26, 2020. This service 
information specifies procedures for repairing the tail boom if there 
is any corrosion or a crack at the VHF antenna attachments.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0015 
specifies ``to check for corrosion under the VHF antenna base 
support,'' this AD requires inspecting for corrosion because that 
action must be accomplished by a mechanic that meets the requirements 
of 14 CFR part 65 subpart D. Where the service information referenced 
in EASA AD 2021-0015 specifies to ``make sure that there is no aluminum 
oxide (white powder),'' ``make sure that there is no pitting 
corrosion,'' and ``make sure that there are no crack,'' this AD 
requires inspecting for any aluminum oxide (white powder), pitting 
corrosion, and cracks instead. Where the service information referenced 
in EASA AD 2021-0015 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires 
removing those parts from service instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 89 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD.
    Inspecting and modifying each tail boom at the VHF attachment takes 
about 4 work-hours and parts cost about $4,745, for an estimated cost 
of $5,085 per helicopter and $452,565 for the U.S. fleet.
    If required, repairing the VHF antenna attachment at the tail boom 
takes up to 15 work-hours and parts cost up to $7,812, for an estimated 
cost of up to $9,087 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 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

[[Page 7687]]

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:

2022-02-13 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21910; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0887; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00045-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 17, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5302, Rotorcraft 
Tail Boom.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of corrosion found on the 
external tail boom skin of a Model EC120B helicopter under the Very 
High Frequency antenna. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect 
corrosion in that area and prevent the degradation of the tail boom 
structure. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
possible roll-over during landing.

(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 AD 2021-0015, 
dated January 13, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0015).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0015

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0015 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of 
EASA AD 2021-0015 specifies to check for corrosion, including to 
``make sure that there is no aluminum oxide (white powder),'' ``make 
sure that there is no pitting corrosion,'' and ``make sure that 
there are no crack,'' this AD requires inspecting for any aluminum 
oxide (white powder), pitting corrosion, and cracks.
    (3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-
0015 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those 
parts from service.
    (4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0015 requires certain 
actions prior to the installation of a tail boom on any helicopter, 
including inspecting the tail boom, for this AD, the requirements of 
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD also apply to the inspection of the tail 
boom.
    (5) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks'' 
section of EASA AD 2021-0015.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0015 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

 (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 Gregory Koenig, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe & Administrative Services Section, 
Chicago ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 2300 E 
Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-7127; email 
[email protected].

(l) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0015, 
dated January 13, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0015, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the 
EASA material 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0887.
    (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 January 11, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02749 Filed 2-9-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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