[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 216 (Friday, November 6, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70955-70958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24626]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1019; Product Identifier 2018-SW-011-AD; Amendment 
39-21264; AD 2020-20-08]
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 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and 
EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires, depending on helicopter 
configuration, installing skived polytetrafluoroethylene tape (PTFE 
tape) or removing PTFE tape and replacing window seals. This AD also 
prohibits the installation of a jettisonable cabin window unless the 
applicable requirements are accomplished. This AD was prompted by a 
report of excessive friction between the window seal and the helicopter 
airframe. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 11, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of December 11, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. 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 referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, 
Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
1019.

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-2019-
1019; 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 AD, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any 
service information that is incorporated by reference, 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: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General 
Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    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 AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP 
helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 6, 
2020 (85 FR 469). For all of the specified helicopter models without 
Modification (MOD) 332P087140.00 installed, the NPRM proposed to 
require installing PTFE tape to each jettisonable cabin window frame. 
For some of the specified helicopter models with MOD 332P087140.00 
installed, the NPRM proposed to require removing the PTFE tape, if 
installed, from each jettisonable cabin window and replacing each VIP 
jettisonable cabin window polychloroprene seal with a silicone seal. 
The NPRM also proposed to prohibit the installation of a jettisonable

[[Page 70956]]

cabin window unless the applicable required actions were accomplished.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2018-0039, dated February 9, 
2018, and corrected March 7, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0039), issued by EASA, 
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European 
Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters (formerly 
Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale) Model AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, 
AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, AS 332 L2, and EC 225 LP helicopters. EASA advises 
of an emergency exit window that required excessive pushing force to 
jettison. According to EASA, an investigation revealed the window seal 
was in good condition with no indication of paint contamination or of 
hardening. EASA advises that the root cause of the incident was 
excessive friction between the window seal and the airframe. EASA 
further advises that helicopters with VIP jettisonable cabin windows, 
which corresponds to MOD 332P087140.00, with PTFE skived film 
installed, require greater force to jettison than standard jettisonable 
cabin windows with PTFE skived film installed due to the thickness of 
the VIP jettisonable cabin windows.
    EASA states if this condition is not corrected, it could prevent 
the window from jettisoning, subsequently affecting the evacuation of 
passengers during an emergency situation. To address this unsafe 
condition, EASA AD 2018-0039 requires installing PTFE skived film on 
the window frames of helicopters with standard jettisonable cabin 
windows, and removing PTFE skived film and replacing polychloroprene 
seals with silicone seals on the window frames of helicopters with VIP 
jettisonable cabin windows.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    After the NPRM was issued, EASA issued AD No. 2020-0061, dated 
March 17, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0061), for Airbus Helicopters Model AS 332 
L2 helicopters without MOD 07 28630, 332P087142.00, or 332P087140.00 
installed and Model EC 225 LP helicopters without MOD 07 28370, 
332P087140.00, 332P087142.00, 332P087142.03, 332P087142.06, 
332A087149.00, or 332A087149.03 installed. EASA AD 2020-0061 requires 
modifying the window jettisoning system by removing the PTFE skived 
film between the window seal and the helicopter airframe and installing 
silicone seals. The FAA plans to publish a separate rulemaking to 
address the unsafe condition in EASA AD 2020-0061. Further, EASA AD 
2020-0061 advises that it is expected that Airbus Helicopters will also 
develop similar MODs for helicopters affected by EASA AD 2018-0039, 
which is the subject of this AD action. Accordingly, certain 
configurations of Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters have been 
removed from the applicability and this Final Rule is an interim 
action.
    Also after the NPRM was issued, EASA issued EASA AD No. 2018-
0039R1, dated September 25, 2020 (EASA AD 2018-0039R1), to revise EASA 
AD 2018-0039. EASA AD 2018-0039R1 advises that Airbus Helicopters 
developed various modifications and corresponding Alert Service 
Bulletins (ASBs) for the window jettison system, which restore the 
window jettison system's performance to the approved design standard. 
Accordingly, EASA AD 2018-0039R1 excludes certain model helicopters 
with the modifications installed from the applicability.
    Additionally, after the NPRM was published, Airbus Helicopters 
revised the service information listed in the NPRM.
    Accordingly, the applicability, required actions, and the related 
service information have been updated in this Final Rule to reflect the 
updated revisions. These changes are consistent with the intent of the 
proposals in NPRM and do not increase the economic burden on any 
operator nor increase the scope of this AD.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this AD, but the FAA did not receive any comments on the 
NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    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 of the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after 
evaluating all information provided by EASA and determining the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters 
of these same type designs and that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting the AD requirements as proposed except for reducing 
the applicability, updating the service information, and updating the 
Cost of Compliance section due to an increase in the number of 
registered helicopters. These changes are consistent with the intent of 
the proposals in the NPRM and will neither increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor increase the scope of this AD.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD interim action. The design approval 
holder is currently developing a modification that will address the 
unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is 
developed, approved, and available, the FAA might consider additional 
rulemaking.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD allows compliance within 250 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) for helicopters that do not operate over water. This AD requires 
compliance within 110 hours TIS for all helicopters, regardless of 
where they operate.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-05.01.05 for 
Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters, and 
ASB No. EC225-05A046 for Model EC225LP helicopters, both Revision 1 and 
dated February 8, 2018. This service information applies to helicopters 
without VIP jettisonable cabin window MOD 332P087140.00 installed. This 
service information specifies applying PTFE film to the jettisonable 
cabin window frames. The FAA also reviewed ASB No. AS332-05.01.05 for 
Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters, and 
ASB No. EC225-05A046 for Model EC225LP helicopters, Revision 2, dated 
April 10, 2019, and Revision 3, dated February 10, 2020. Revisions 2 
and 3 contain the same procedures as Revision 1, except Revisions 2 and 
3 cancel compliance for helicopters with certain modifications. The FAA 
reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-05.01.05, Revision 4, dated 
September 23, 2020, which contains exceptions for compliance for 
certain helicopters with POST MOD 0728630, 332P087142.09, or 
332P087142.12.
    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-56.90.13 for 
Model AS332L2 helicopters, and ASB No. EC225-56C012 for Model EC225LP 
helicopters, both Revision 0 and dated February 2, 2018. This service 
information applies to helicopters with VIP jettisonable cabin window 
MOD 332P087140.00 installed. This service information specifies 
removing the PTFE film, if installed between the VIP cabin window frame 
and seal, from the VIP jettisonable cabin windows, and replacing the 
VIP jettisonable cabin window polychloroprene seals with silicone 
seals.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties

[[Page 70957]]

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 Information Notice No. 3012-I-
05, Revision 0, dated March 8, 2016, for Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, 
AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This service information 
provides additional information pertaining to the jettisonable window 
system and the application of PTFE film to the jettisonable window 
frames. This service information also advises that VIP windows are 
thicker and stiffer than serial design windows and are subsequently 
more difficult to jettison than standard cabin windows.
    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-56.90.14, 
Revision 0, dated April 10, 2019, Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-
56.00.16, Revision 0, dated February 10, 2020. The FAA also reviewed 
Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-56.00.18, Revision 0, Airbus 
Helicopters ASB No. AS332-56.00.20, Revision 0, and Airbus Helicopters 
ASB No. AS332-56.00.21, Revision 0, all dated September 23, 2020. The 
FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-56A013, Revision 1, 
Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-56A015, Revision 0, Airbus Helicopters 
ASB No. EC225-56A016, Revision 0, and Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-
56A017, Revision 0, all dated February 10, 2020. This service 
information provides additional information pertaining to the 
jettisonable window system and the application of PTFE film to the 
jettisonable window frames.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects approximately 39 helicopters 
of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the 
following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are 
estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Depending on your model helicopter and configuration, installing 
PTFE tape takes about 8 work-hours and parts cost about $92, for an 
estimated cost of $772 per helicopter and approximately $30,108 for the 
U.S. fleet.
    There are no costs of compliance with removing the PTFE tape and 
replacing the seals because there are no helicopters with a serial 
number identified by Airbus Helicopters with MOD 332P087140.00 
installed on the U.S. Registry.

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 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.

Adoption of 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:

2020-20-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21264; Docket No. FAA-
2019-1019; Product Identifier 2018-SW-011-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Airbus Helicopters 
Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP 
helicopters, certificated in any category, except:
    (1) Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and 
AS332L1 helicopters with Modification (MOD) 07 28630, MOD 
332P087142.09, or MOD 332P087142.12 installed,
    (2) Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 helicopters with MOD 07 
28630 or 332P087142.00 installed, and
    (3) Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters with MOD 07 
28370, 332A087149.00, 332A087149.03, 332P087142.00, 332P087142.03, 
or 332P087142.06 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as excessive friction 
between the jettisonable cabin window and the airframe. This 
condition could result in the window failing to jettison, preventing 
occupants from exiting the helicopter during an emergency.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 11, 2020.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 110 hours time-in-service:
    (1) For Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters; 
and Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters without MOD 332P087140.00 
installed, install skived polytetrafluoroethylene tape (PTFE tape) 
to each jettisonable cabin window frame by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2., of Airbus Helicopters 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-05.01.05 or ASB No. EC225-
05A046, both Revision 1 and dated February 8, 2018; or both Revision 
2, dated April 10, 2019; or both Revision 3, dated February 10, 
2020, or ASB No. AS332-05.01.05, Revision 4, dated September 23, 
2020, as applicable to your model helicopter.
    (2) For Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters with MOD 
332P087140.00 installed:
    (i) Remove the PTFE tape, if installed between the VIP cabin 
window frame and seal, from each jettisonable cabin window by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2., of 
Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-56.90.13 (ASB AS332-56.90.13) or 
ASB No. EC225-56C012 (ASB EC225-56C012), both Revision 0 and dated 
February 8, 2018, as applicable to your model helicopter.
    (ii) Replace each VIP jettisonable cabin window polychloroprene 
seal with a silicone seal by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B.3., of ASB AS332-56.90.13 or ASB EC225-
56C012, as applicable to your model helicopter.

    Note 1 to paragraph (e)(2): Airbus Helicopters has identified 
the following

[[Page 70958]]

helicopters as having MOD 332P087140.00 installed: Model AS332L2 
serial numbers (S/Ns) 2388, 2390, 2565, 2573, 2577, 2578, and 2587; 
and Model EC225LP S/Ns 2600, 2623, 2645, 2650, 2651, 2653, 2659, 
2684, 2693, 2711, 2712, 2719, 2753, 2756, 2767, 2796, 2926, 2961, 
2973, 2974, 2979, 3002, 3003, and 3012.

    (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a 
jettisonable cabin window unless you comply with the requirements of 
paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD, as applicable to your model 
helicopter and configuration.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, AD Program 
Manager, Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, 
General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests 
that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office 
or certificate holding district office, before operating any 
aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Airbus Helicopters Information Notice No. 3012-I-05, 
Revision 0, dated March 8, 2016, Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-
56.90.14, Revision 0, dated April 10, 2019, Airbus Helicopters ASB 
No. AS332-56.00.16, Revision 0, dated February 10, 2020, Airbus 
Helicopters ASB No. AS332-56.00.18, Revision 0, Airbus Helicopters 
ASB No. AS332-56.00.20, Revision 0, and Airbus Helicopters ASB No. 
AS332-56.00.21, Revision 0, all dated September 23, 2020, Airbus 
Helicopters ASB No. EC225-56A013, Revision 1, Airbus Helicopters ASB 
No. EC225-56A015, Revision 0, Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-
56A016, Revision 0, and Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-56A017, 
Revision 0, all dated February 10, 2020, which are not incorporated 
by reference, contains additional information about the subject of 
this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N 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 the referenced service information at the FAA, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 
Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2018-0039R1, dated September 
25, 2020. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2019-1019.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320, Main Rotor 
Gearbox.

(i) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-
05.01.05, Revision 1, dated February 8, 2018.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-05.01.05, Revision 2, 
dated April 10, 2019.
    (iii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-05.01.05, Revision 3, 
dated February 10, 2020.
    (iv) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-05.01.05, Revision 4, 
dated September 23, 2020.
    (v) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-56.90.13, Revision 0, dated 
February 8, 2018.
    (vi) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-05A046, Revision 1, dated 
February 8, 2018.
    (vii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-05A046, Revision 2, dated 
April 10, 2019.
    (viii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-05A046, Revision 3, 
dated February 10, 2020.
    (ix) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-56C012, Revision 0, dated 
February 8, 2018.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. 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 November 2, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-24626 Filed 11-5-20; 8:45 am]
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