[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 229 (Friday, November 27, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75834-75838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25493]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0893; Product Identifier 2018-SW-032-AD; Amendment 
39-21319; AD 2020-23-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-09-05 
for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 
and EC225LP helicopters. AD 2017-09-05 required repetitively checking 
screws in the emergency flotation gear. This new AD retains the 
requirements of AD 2017-09-05 but also requires installing a 
modification (MOD), which is a terminating action for the repetitive 
checks. This AD was prompted by the development of the MOD by Airbus 
Helicopters that addresses the unsafe condition. The actions of this AD 
are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 4, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 4, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75052; telephone 800-232-0323 or 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-2018-
0893.

[[Page 75835]]

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2018-0893; 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 Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, 
any service information that is incorporated by reference, 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: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General 
Aviation & 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 to remove AD 2017-09-05, Amendment 39-18867 (82 FR 21913, 
May 11, 2017) (``AD 2017-09-05''), and add a new AD. AD 2017-09-05 
applied to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, 
AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters with emergency flotation gear 
installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2020 
(85 FR 47921). The NPRM proposed to require, within 15 hours time-in-
service (TIS) and thereafter, before each flight over water, visually 
checking each emergency flotation gear left-hand (LH) and right-hand 
(RH) rear upper fitting for the presence of screw heads and looseness. 
An owner/operator (pilot) may perform the required visual check but 
must enter compliance with the applicable paragraph of this AD in the 
helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) 
through (4) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may perform this check because 
it involves visually checking the rear upper fittings of the LH and RH 
emergency flotation gears for the presence of screw heads and twisting 
the screws by hand. This action can be performed equally well by a 
pilot or a mechanic. This check is an exception to the FAA's standard 
maintenance regulations. If any screws are loose or any screw heads are 
missing, the NPRM proposed to require removing from service the screws 
on each LH and RH side on the flotation gear rear fitting and 
installing MOD 0728456, base washers and spherical washers. The NPRM 
also proposed to require, within 300 hours TIS, installing MOD 0728456 
as a terminating action for the repetitive checks.
    AD 2017-09-05 was prompted by EASA AD 2015-0239-E, dated December 
18, 2015 (EASA AD 2015-0239-E), issued by EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe 
condition for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, 
AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. EASA advised that a screw 
ruptured on the rear upper fitting on the LH emergency flotation gear 
of an AS332 helicopter. EASA stated that this condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could result in the failure of an emergency 
flotation system when ditching and unstable floating of the helicopter, 
possibly resulting in injuries to the occupants. The EASA AD 
consequently required repetitive inspections of the lower attachment 
screws of rear upper fitting on the rear LH and RH emergency flotation 
gears. EASA stated that the root cause of the failure had not yet been 
identified.
    After the FAA issued AD 2017-09-05, Airbus Helicopters identified 
the root cause of the screw rupture as a tapering gap under the fitting 
attachment screw heads creating excessive stress loads. Consequently, 
EASA issued AD No. 2018-0090, dated April 20, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0090), 
to supersede EASA AD 2015-0239-E. EASA AD 2018-0090 retains the 
repetitive inspection requirements in EASA AD 2015-0239-E and also 
requires the installation of Airbus Helicopters MOD 0728456 as a 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. MOD 0728456 involves 
the installation of spherical washers and longer screws on the rear 
upper fittings of the flotation gear to remove the stress applied to 
the screw heads.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued the NPRM, it was identified that the NPRM 
specified installing MOD 0728456 by using Airbus Helicopters Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-25.03.43 or ASB No. EC225-25A207, each 
Revision 0 and dated April 4, 2018, in paragraphs (f)(3)(i) through 
(iii) of this AD. However, the FAA intended to update this service 
information to Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-25.03.43 or ASB No. 
EC225-25A207, each Revision 2 and dated March 21, 2019. Since the 
updated service information does not affect compliance, this final rule 
allows the use of either Revision 0 or Revision 2 of this service 
information to install MOD 0728456.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule, but the FAA did not receive any comments on 
the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

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 of the information provided by EASA and determining the 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of these same type design and that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed except 
for minor editorial changes. The two instances of 17mm (+ 0.1/+ 0.1) as 
published in the Required Actions of the NPRM have been corrected to 
17mm (+ 0.1/- 0.1). These minor editorial changes are consistent with 
the intent of the proposals in the NPRM and will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of this AD.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD allows using tools for the inspection, while this AD 
requires checking by hand. The EASA AD requires contacting Airbus 
Helicopters if a screw is missing or loose, while this AD does not. The 
EASA AD requires that repetitive inspections occur at intervals not to 
exceed 15 hours TIS, while this AD requires the repetitive checks 
before each flight over water.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters has issued ASB No. AS332-25.03.43, Revision 0, 
dated April 4, 2018, for Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and 
AS332L2 helicopters and for military Model AS332B, AS332B1, AS332F1, 
AS332M, and AS332M1 helicopters. The FAA also reviewed ASB No. EC225-
25A207, Revision 0, dated April 4, 2018, for Model EC 225 LP 
helicopters. This service information specifies, within 12 months, 
installing MOD 0728456 by installing spherical leveling washers and 
longer screws to attach the rear upper fittings of the LH and RH 
emergency flotation gear. Airbus

[[Page 75836]]

Helicopters specifies that helicopters that have undergone MOD 0728456 
are exempt from these service information requirements. Airbus 
Helicopters revised each of these ASBs, now at Revision 2 and dated 
March 21, 2019, to specify an alternative to the protection of the 
spotfacing(s) and add an instruction to apply primer after the 
protection and before painting the parts.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 
(EASB) No. 05.01.06, Revision 0, dated December 18, 2015, for Model 
AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters and for 
military Model AS332B, AS332B1, AS332F1, AS332M, and AS332M1 
helicopters, and EASB No. 05A047, Revision 0, dated December 18, 2015, 
for Model EC225LP helicopters. This service information specifies 
repetitively inspecting the lower screws of the rear upper fitting on 
the rear LH and RH emergency floating gears for the presence of the 
heads and stressing the screw heads using a tool to make sure that the 
screw head does not move. If all screw heads are present, the service 
information requires no further action. If at least one screw head is 
missing or is loose, the service information specifies replacing the 
two lower screws and the upper screw and informing Airbus Helicopters. 
Airbus Helicopters revised each of these EASBs to Revision 1, dated 
April 4, 2018, to exclude helicopters with MOD 0728456 installed from 
the effectivity.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 29 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.
    Checking the screws for looseness and a missing head takes about 5 
minutes, for an estimated cost of about $7 per helicopter and $203 for 
the U.S. fleet.
    Performing the MOD takes about 16 work-hours, and parts cost about 
$3,030 for total estimated cost of $4,390 per helicopter and $127,310 
for the U.S. fleet.

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

    The FAA has determined that 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.

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-09-05, Amendment 39-18867 
(82 FR 21913, May 11, 2017); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2020-23-03 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21319; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0893; Product Identifier 2018-SW-032-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Airbus Helicopters 
Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP 
helicopters with emergency flotation gear installed, certificated in 
any category, except those helicopters that have Airbus Helicopters 
Modification (MOD) 0728456 already installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a rear upper 
screw fitting on the emergency flotation gear. This condition, if 
not detected and corrected, could result in failure of the emergency 
flotation system and subsequent capsizing of the helicopter.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-09-05, Amendment 39-18867 (82 FR 21913, 
May 11, 2017).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective January 4, 2021.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS), and before each 
flight over water thereafter, visually check each emergency 
flotation gear left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) rear upper fitting 
to determine whether the heads of the lower screws are present. 
Figure 1 to paragraph (f)(1) of this AD depicts where the lower 
three screws (noted as B and E) are located. Check each screw for 
looseness by determining whether it can be rotated by hand. These 
actions 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 
14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record 
must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 
135.439.

[[Page 75837]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR27NO20.069

    (2) If a screw head is missing, or if a screw is loose, before 
further flight over water, install MOD 0728456 by completing 
paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.
    (3) Within 300 hours TIS, unless required before further flight 
over water by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, install MOD 0728456 by 
doing the following:

    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(3): The installation of MOD 0728456 on 
the LH and RH sides is identical.

    (i) Remove external fitting (a) and remove from service screws 
(c), (d) and (e), washers (f), and nuts (g) as shown in Figure 1, 
Detail A of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
AS332-25.03.43, Revision 0, dated April 4, 2018 (ASB AS332-25.03-43 
Rev 0), or ASB No. EC225-25A207, Revision 0, dated April 4, 2018 
(ASB EC225-25A207 Rev 0), as applicable to your model helicopter. As 
an option, you may use Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-25.03.43 or 
ASB No. EC225-25A207, each Revision 2 and dated March 21, 2019 (ASB 
AS332-25.03-43 Rev 2 or ASB EC225-25A207 Rev 2), as applicable to 
your model helicopter, instead of ASB AS332-25.03-43 Rev 0 or ASB 
EC225-25A207 Rev 0.
    (ii) Install base washers (1) (structural side), spherical 
washers (2) (screw side), and screws (3) and coat with sealing 
compound (or similar) on the smooth surface of the nuts (5) as shown 
in Figure 2 of ASB AS332-25.03-43 Rev 0 or ASB EC225-25A207 Rev 0, 
as applicable to your model helicopter. As an option, you may use 
ASB AS332-25.03-43 Rev 2 or ASB EC225-25A207 Rev 2, as applicable to 
your model helicopter, instead of ASB AS332-25.03-43 Rev 0 or ASB 
EC225-25A207 Rev 0.
    (iii) Inspect each washer on the external fitting (a) for 
contact with a weld as shown in Figure 2, Detail A of ASB AS332-
25.03-43 Rev 0 or ASB EC225-25A207 Rev 0, and inspect each washer on 
the internal fitting for contact with the fitting radius. As an 
option, you may use or ASB AS332-25.03-43 Rev 2 or ASB EC225-25A207 
Rev 2, as applicable to your model helicopter, instead of ASB AS332-
25.03-43 Rev 0 or ASB EC225-25A207 Rev 0.

[[Page 75838]]

    (A) If a washer on the external fitting makes contact with a 
weld, perform a spotfacing to the diameter of 17mm (+ 0.1/- 0.1) 
with a cutter root radius of 0.5mm.
    (B) If a washer on the internal fitting falls in the radius of 
the bracket, perform a spotfacing to the diameter of 17mm (+ 0.1/- 
0.1) with a cutter root radius of 0.5mm.
    (iv) Torque each nut to 169-203 lbf.in (1.9-2.3 daN.m), and 
apply sealing compound to outer edge of the LH rear upper fitting.
    (4) Completion of the requirements in paragraph in (f)(3) of 
this AD constitutes terminating action for the repetitive checks 
required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

(g) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited for flights over water.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matthew Fuller, AD Program 
Manager, Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, 
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 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.

(i) Additional Information

    (1) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) 
No. 05.01.06, and EASB No. 05A047, each Revision 0 and dated 
December 18, 2015, and each Revision 1 and dated April 4, 2018, 
which are not incorporated by reference, contain 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 a copy of the 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 Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
No. 2018-0090, dated April 20, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2018-0893.

(j) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212, Emergency 
Flotation Section.

(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 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-
25.03.43, Revision 0, dated April 4, 2018.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-25.03.43, Revision 2, 
dated March 21, 2019.
    (iii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-25A207, Revision 0, dated 
April 4, 2018.
    (iv) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-25A207, Revision 2, dated 
March 21, 2019.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
telephone 800-232-0323 or 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 October 27, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-25493 Filed 11-25-20; 8:45 am]
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