Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73267-73269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20343]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1002; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01574-R; 
Amendment 39-22799; AD 2024-15-08]
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 all 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350D, 
AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by reports of debonding on the leading edge protection of 
certain part-numbered main rotor blades (MRBs). This AD requires 
repetitively tap inspecting the MRB and, depending on the results, 
taking corrective action. This AD also prohibits installing an affected 
MRB on any helicopter unless its requirements are met. These actions 
are 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 October 15, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 15, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1002; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find 
the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 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 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1002.
    Other Related Material: For Airbus Helicopters material 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 airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/hcare-services/airbusworld. You may also view this material at the FAA 
contact information under Material Incorporated by Reference above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (404) 
474-5548; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2022-0246, dated December 12, 2022 
(EASA AD 2022-0246), to correct an unsafe condition on all Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS 350 B, AS 350 BA, AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 350 BB, 
AS 350 D, AS 355 E, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, and AS 355 N 
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 AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, 
AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on April 16, 2024 (89 FR 26794). The NPRM was prompted 
by reports of debonding on the stainless steel leading edge protection 
of certain part-numbered MRBs. The NPRM proposed to require 
repetitively tap inspecting the MRB and, depending on the results, 
taking corrective action. The NPRM also prohibited installing an 
affected MRB on any helicopter unless its requirements are met, as 
specified in EASA AD 2022-0246.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address the debonding of the MRB 
leading edge protection. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in a significant unbalance of the main rotor, a high level of 
vibration, failure of the main rotor, failure of the main gearbox, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

[[Page 73268]]

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 helicopters. Except for minor editorial changes, 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2022-0246 requires repetitively tap inspecting affected 
MRBs and, depending on findings, either repairing or replacing the MRB. 
For certain helicopters, EASA AD 2022-0246 prohibits installing an 
affected MRB unless it is a serviceable part as defined within and is 
inspected following installation. For other certain helicopters, EASA 
AD 2022-0246 prohibits installing an affected MRB.
    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 Material

    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
AS350-05.01.07 and No. AS355-05.00.91, both Revision 0 and dated 
December 6, 2022. This material describes procedures for tap inspecting 
the stainless steel leading edge protection of the MRB and, depending 
on the results, repairing or sending the MRB for repair to Airbus 
Helicopters. This material also specifies sending certain information 
to Airbus Helicopters.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    EASA AD 2022-0246 applies to Model AS350BB helicopters, whereas 
this AD does not because that model is not FAA-type certificated.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 405 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.
    Tap inspecting affected MRBs for disbonding takes up to 
approximately 1 work-hour (up to three MRBs per helicopter) for an 
estimated cost of up to $85 per helicopter and $34,425 for the U.S. 
fleet, per inspection cycle. Replacing a blade takes approximately 6 
work-hours and parts cost up to approximately $84,000 for an estimated 
cost of up to $84,510 per MRB. The FAA has no data to determine the 
cost of or the number of helicopters that might need the MRB repaired.

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.

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:

2024-15-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22799; Docket No. FAA-
2024-1002; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01574-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 15, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, 
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and 
AS355N helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6210, Main Rotor 
Blades.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of debonding on the stainless 
steel leading edge protection of certain main rotor blades (MRBs). 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the debonding of the MRB 
leading edge protection. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in a significant unbalance of the main rotor, a high 
level of vibration, failure of the main rotor, failure of the main 
gearbox, and subsequent 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2022-0246, dated December 12, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0246).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0246

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0246 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0246 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

[[Page 73269]]

    (3) Where the material referenced in paragraphs (2) and (3) of 
EASA AD 2022-0246 specifies sending removed blade(s) to Airbus 
Helicopters, this AD does not require that action.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2022-0246.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0246 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 Dan McCully, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (404) 474-5548; email: 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0246, 
dated December 12, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may 
find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 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 material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on July 23, 2024.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-20343 Filed 9-9-24; 8:45 am]
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