[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 1, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29176-29178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11393]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0145; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01212-R; 
Amendment 39-21558; AD 2021-10-25]
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 
certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. This 
AD was prompted by a report of cracks and geometrical non-conformities 
of the tail rotor blades (TRBs); all cracks initiated in the drain hole 
area at the blade root section. This AD requires cleaning affected 
parts, visual and dye penetrant inspections for cracks of affected 
parts, a dimensional inspection to verify conformity of affected parts, 
and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 6, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 6, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (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-2021-0145.

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-
0145; 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: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 
20024; phone: 202-267-9167; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0187, dated August 21, 2020 
(EASA AD 2020-0187) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 
for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on March 15, 2021 (86

[[Page 29177]]

FR 14290). The NPRM was prompted by a report of cracks and geometrical 
non-conformities of the TRBs; all cracks initiated in the drain hole 
area at the blade root section. The NPRM proposed to require cleaning 
affected parts, visual and dye penetrant inspections for cracks of 
affected parts, a dimensional inspection to verify conformity of 
affected parts, and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in an 
EASA AD.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address geometrical non-conformities 
of the TRBs, which could lead to crack initiation and consequent blade 
failure, and possible loss of control of the helicopter. See the MCAI 
for additional background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM 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. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2020-0187 specifies procedures for cleaning affected parts, 
visual and dye penetrant inspections for cracks of affected parts (the 
cleaning and visual and dye penetrant inspections are one-time or 
repetitive, depending on the accumulated hours time in service on the 
TRB), a one-time dimensional inspection to verify conformity of 
affected parts, and corrective actions if necessary. Corrective actions 
include replacement of the affected part with a serviceable part, and 
additional repetitive cleaning and inspections until replacement of the 
affected part with a serviceable part. 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.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD interim action. If final action is later 
identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 264 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 work-hours x $85 per hour = $595...........................              $0             $595         $157,080
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions 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 actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
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4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340....          $4,641           $4,981
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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

    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.

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.

[[Page 29178]]

Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2021-10-25 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21558; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0145; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01212-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 6, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and 
EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail rotor 
blade (TRB), obtained by forging, part number 350A33-3002-02, 
350A33-3002-03, 350A33-3002-04, or 350A33-3002-05 installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6410, Tail rotor 
blades.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracks and geometrical non-
conformities of the TRBs; all cracks initiated in the drain hole 
area at the blade root section. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address geometrical non-conformities of the TRBs, which could lead 
to crack initiation and consequent blade failure, and possible 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 
2020-0187, dated August 21, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0187).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0187

    (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0187 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0187 does not apply 
to this AD.
    (3) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-
0187 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD does not include 
that requirement.
    (4) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-
0187 specifies to return certain parts, this AD does not include 
that requirement.
    (5) Where EASA AD 2020-0187 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD 
requires using hours time-in-service.
    (6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-
0187 specifies to ``contact customer support,'' this AD does not 
include that requirement.
    (7) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-
0187 specifies to measure using the Smartphone application, the 
PowerPoint method, or ``Contacting customer support with a specific 
procedure,'' those methods of measurement are not required by this 
AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0187 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(j) 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 that the helicopter is operated under visual flight rules.

(k) 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 (l) 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.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Hal Jensen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 950 L'Enfant 
Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024; phone: 202-267-9167; email: 
[email protected].

(m) 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 2020-0187, 
dated August 21, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2020-0187, 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.
    (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-
2021-0145.
    (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 May 7, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-11393 Filed 5-28-21; 8:45 am]
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