[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 13, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19157-19160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07483]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0297; Project Identifier 2019-SW-062-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 Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, all serial numbers. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of the failure of the lower 
bearing cage of the main rotor hub (MRH) flapping hinges and of the 
presence of metallic particles at the bottom of a drag hinge. This 
proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the MRH chip 
detectors, or for helicopters not equipped with chip detectors, 
repetitive inspections of the oil for contamination by metallic 
particles, and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for 
incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 May 28, 
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.
    For material that is proposed for IBR in this AD, contact the EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +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-2021-0297.

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-2021-
0297; 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: Mahmood G. Shah, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, 
TX 76177; phone: 817-222-5538; 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-2021-0297; Project Identifier 
2019-SW-062-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of

[[Page 19158]]

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 
https://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 
Mahmood G. Shah, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: 817-222-5538; 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 2019-0157, dated July 3, 2019 (EASA 
AD 2019-0157) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 
for Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, all serial numbers.
    This proposed AD was prompted by reports of failure of the lower 
bearing cage of the MRH flapping hinges and presence of metallic 
particles at the bottom of a drag hinge. The FAA is proposing this AD 
to address failure of the lower bearing cage of the MRH flapping hinges 
and presence of metallic particles at the bottom of a drag hinge, which 
could lead to loss of flapping hinge function, resulting in MRH 
unbalance and loss of control of the helicopter. See the MCAI for 
additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0157 describes procedures for repetitive inspections 
of the MRH chip detectors, or for helicopters not equipped with chip 
detectors, repetitive inspections of the oil for contamination by 
metallic particles, and corrective actions if necessary. Corrective 
actions include replacement of the incidence hinge bearings, 
replacement of the flapping bearing race and bearing or if there is no 
degradation reinstallation of the bearing race and bearing 180[deg] 
from the marked position during removal, and replacement of the drag 
lower bearing race and bearing. 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 after evaluating all the 
relevant information and determining the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same 
type designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2019-0157, 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 2019-0157 
will be incorporated by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed 
AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2019-0157 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 2019-0157 that is required for compliance with EASA AD 2019-
0157 will be available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0297 after the FAA 
final rule is published.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this proposed AD interim action. The 
investigation to detect the root cause of the reported failures of the 
lower bearing cage of the MRH flapping hinges and presence of metallic 
particles at the bottom of the drag hinge is on-going.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 4 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
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4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340...........................              $0             $340           $1,360
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[[Page 19159]]

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition replacements that would be required based on the results of 
any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
helicopters that might need these on-condition replacements:

                                     Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                                  Labor cost                                       Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,040.........................................      $53,025.29       $55,065.29
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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-2021-0297; Project Identifier 
2019-SW-062-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by May 28, 2021.

(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, 
certificated in any category, all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6200, Main Rotor 
System.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of the failure of the lower 
bearing cage of the main rotor hub (MRH) flapping hinges and of the 
presence of metallic particles at the bottom of a drag hinge. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of the lower bearing cage 
of the MRH flapping hinges and presence of metallic particles at the 
bottom of a drag hinge, which could lead to loss of flapping hinge 
function, resulting in MRH unbalance and 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0157, dated July 3, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0157).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0157

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0157 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0157 does not apply 
to this AD.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2019-0157 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD 
requires using hours time-in-service.
    (4) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-
0157 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing 
those parts from service.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the 
helicopter can be modified (if the operator elects to do so), 
provided the helicopter is operated during the day under visual 
flight rules with no passengers are onboard.

(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)(2) 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

    (1) For EASA AD 2019-0157, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +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. 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-2021-0297.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Mahmood G. Shah, 
Aviation Safety

[[Page 19160]]

Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, TX 76177; phone: 817-222-5538; email: [email protected].

    Issued on April 7, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-07483 Filed 4-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P