[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81376-81378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27659]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-3343; Product Identifier 2015-SW-078-AD; Amendment 
39-21353; AD 2020-25-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-12-
12, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B and 
EC130B4 helicopters. AD 2014-12-12 required inspecting and, if 
necessary, replacing parts of the sliding door star support attachment 
assembly. This AD requires modifying the sliding door star support 
stringer as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). This AD was prompted by 
several incidents involving helicopter left-hand side doors (both 
swinging and sliding) that revealed weaknesses in the locking 
mechanism. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 21, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 21, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference in this AD, contact 
the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 
221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. 
You may find this material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 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. It is also available in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-3343.

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-2016-
3343; 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, 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: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace 
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA; telephone 206-231-3218; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0095, dated April 29, 2020 
(EASA AD 2020-0095), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC120B and EC130B4 helicopters.
    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD to supersede AD 2014-12-12, 
Amendment 39-17873 (79 FR 36638, June 30, 2014) (AD 2014-12-12). AD 
2014-12-12 applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B and 
EC130B4 helicopters. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on 
September 22, 2020 (85 FR 59454). The FAA preceded the SNPRM with a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal 
Register on October 26, 2016 (81 FR 74362). The NPRM was prompted by 
the determination to expand the applicability to all serial-numbered 
EC120B helicopters with affected sliding doors installed and require 
compliance with revised service information. The NPRM proposed to 
require inspecting each upper and lower locking pin control rod end 
fitting and replacing it if necessary, cleaning and dye-penetrant 
inspecting the star support pin for cracking and replacing it if 
necessary, and reinforcing the sliding door star support stringer. The 
SNPRM proposed to require modifying the door locking/unlocking 
mechanism, as specified in EASA AD 2020-0095.
    The FAA is proposing this AD to address failure of the sliding door 
star support, which could inhibit the operation of the sliding door 
from the inside, delaying the evacuation of passengers during an 
emergency. See EASA AD 2020-0095 for additional background information.

[[Page 81377]]

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM 
or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, 
except for minor editorial changes and an exception that does not 
affect helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
SNPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in-the SNPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2020-0095, which describes improved 
procedures for modifying the door locking/unlocking mechanism (e.g. 
modifying the sliding door star support by installing a reinforcing 
bracket and replacing rod ends).
    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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    EASA AD 2020-0095 specifies to do the modification within 24 
months. This AD requires the modification be done within 460 hours 
time-in-service (TIS), based on an average of 230 hours TIS per year. 
The FAA has determined this compliance time represents the maximum 
interval of time allowable for the affected helicopters to continue to 
safely operate before the modification is done. While EASA AD 2020-0095 
allows credit for Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. EC120-
52A018, Revision 0, dated November 13, 2015 (ASB EC120-52A018 at 
original issue), this AD does not because the applicable helicopter is 
not U.S.-registered.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD would affect 261 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 proposed AD.
    Modifying the door locking/unlocking mechanism takes about 20 work-
hours and parts cost about $642 for an estimated cost of $2,342 per 
helicopter and $611,262 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

    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) 2014-12-12, Amendment 39-17873 
(79 FR 36638, June 30, 2014); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2020-25-11 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21353; Docket No. FAA-
2016-3343; Product Identifier 2015-SW-078-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 21, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2014-12-12, Amendment 39-17873 (79 FR 36638, 
June 30, 2014).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B and EC130B4 
helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0095, dated April 29, 
2020 (EASA AD 2020-0095).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5200, Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of passengers not being able to 
open a helicopter's left-hand door after landing. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address failure of the sliding door star support, which 
could inhibit the operation of the sliding door from the inside, 
delaying the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.

(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, EASA AD 2020-0095.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0095

    (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0095 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0095 specifies to 
complete the actions within 24 months after its effective date, this 
AD requires completion within 460 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0095 does not apply 
to this AD.
    (4) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-
0095 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD does not include 
that requirement.
    (5) Where EASA AD 2020-0095 allows credit for Airbus Helicopters 
Alert Service Bulletin No. EC120-52A018, Revision 0, dated November 
13, 2015 (ASB EC120-52A018 at original issue), this AD does not.

[[Page 81378]]

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Manager, Strategic 
Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 9/ASW/FTW/[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

    For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen Arrigotti, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA; telephone 206-
231-3218; email [email protected].

(k) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0095, 
dated April 29, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2020-0095, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
EASA AD 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 on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2016-3343.
    (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 December 3, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-27659 Filed 12-15-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P