[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 248 (Monday, December 28, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 84275-84278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28440]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1165; Project Identifier 2019-SW-027-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. 
This proposed AD was prompted by the determination that a new life 
limit was necessary for certain tail rotor blades (TRBs). This proposed 
AD would require replacing certain TRBs, re-identifying certain TRBs, 
and repairing certain other TRBs, as specified in a European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation 
by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 
11, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

[[Page 84276]]

    For material that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
AD, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 89990 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR 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-2020-
1165.

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-2020-
1165; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blaine Williams, Aerospace Engineer, 
Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone (562) 627-5371; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-1165; Project Identifier 
2019-SW-027-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this proposal.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Blaine Williams, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5371; 
email [email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives 
that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public 
docket for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0034, dated February 14, 2019 
(EASA AD 2019-0034) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 
for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters.
    This proposed AD was prompted by the determination that a new life 
limit was necessary for TRBs that were manufactured without a new 
process that affects the structural characteristics. The FAA is 
proposing this AD to address TRBs that might break, resulting in loss 
of tail rotor control and consequent loss of control of the helicopter. 
See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0034 describes procedures for replacing TRBs having 
certain part numbers, re-identifying TRBs having a certain part number 
and certain serial numbers, and repairing TRBs that have been reworked/
repaired/modified before being re-identified.
    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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to the bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, the FAA 
has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD because the FAA 
evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other 
products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2019-0034, described previously, as incorporated by 
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA initially worked with Airbus and EASA to develop a 
process to use certain EASA ADs as the primary source of information 
for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has 
since coordinated with other manufacturers and civil aviation 
authorities (CAAs) to use this process. As a result, EASA AD 2019-0034 
will be incorporated by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed 
AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2019-0034 in its 
entirety, through that incorporation, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. 
Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular 
section in the EASA AD does not mean that operators need comply only 
with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to 
``all required actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD 
requirement is not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) 
and Compliance Time(s)'' in the EASA AD. Service information specified 
in EASA AD 2019-0034 that is required for compliance with EASA AD 2019-
0034 will be available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No.

[[Page 84277]]

FAA-2020-1165 after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 20 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................          $3,900           $3,985          $79,700
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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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    (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 Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:

Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2020-1165; Project Identifier 
2019-SW-027-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by February 11, 2021.

(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J 
helicopters, certificated in any category, equipped with any tail 
rotor blade (TRB) specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this AD.
    (1) An affected part as defined in European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0034, dated February 14, 2019 (EASA AD 
2019-0034).
    (2) A TRB having part number (P/N) 341A335101.01, P/N 
341A335130.05, or P/N 341A335130.06.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6410, Tail Rotor 
Blades.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the determination that a new life limit 
was necessary for TRBs that were manufactured without a new process 
that affects the structural characteristics. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address TRBs that might break, resulting in loss of tail rotor 
control and consequent 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 paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2019-0034.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0034

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0034 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0034 does not apply 
to this AD.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2019-0034 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD 
requires using hours time-in-service.
    (4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2019-0034 specifies to 
contact the manufacturer, for this AD, repair using a method 
approved by the Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA. 
For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, Strategic Policy 
Rotorcraft Section, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's 
approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.
    (5) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2019-0034 specifies it must 
be determined that the rework/repair/modification is valid for part 
number 341A335130.06, for this AD, rework/repair/modification of an 
affected part is prohibited.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 
21.199, are not allowed.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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 [email protected].

(k) Related Information

    (1) For EASA AD 2019-0034, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 89990 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. 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. 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-2020-1165.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Blaine Williams, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Lakewood, California 90712; telephone

[[Page 84278]]

(562) 627-5371; email [email protected].

    Issued on December 17, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-28440 Filed 12-23-20; 8:45 am]
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