[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 15, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31609-31611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12482]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0314; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00599-R; 
Amendment 39-21592; AD 2021-12-05]
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 EC155B1 helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by a report of difficulties when jettisoning the co-pilot door 
during non-scheduled maintenance. This AD requires a functional check 
of the pilot and co-pilot door jettisoning system and corrective 
actions if necessary, as specified in a European 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 20, 2021.

[[Page 31610]]

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 20, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) 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-2021-0314.

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-
0314; 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, Program Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3218; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The EASA (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA AD 2015-0157, dated July 30, 2015 (EASA AD 2015-0157) (also 
referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model 
EC 155 B1 helicopters, all serial numbers delivered after manufacturing 
before June 30, 2015, and equipped with a pilot or co-pilot door 
jettisoning system in accordance with Airbus Helicopters Modification 
POST MOD 0752C05, except helicopters on which Aircraft Maintenance 
Manual (AMM) Task 52-11-00-712 was accomplished on both pilot and co-
pilot doors since the last crew door installation.
    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 EC155B1 helicopters. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on April 22, 2021 (86 FR 21240). The NPRM was prompted 
by a report of difficulties when jettisoning the co-pilot door during 
non-scheduled maintenance. The NPRM proposed to require a functional 
check of the pilot and co-pilot door jettisoning system and corrective 
actions if necessary, as specified in an EASA AD.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address jamming of the affected door 
jettisoning mechanism, which could reduce the ability of the flightcrew 
to evacuate in the event of an emergency situation. 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 2015-0157 specifies procedures for doing a functional check 
of the pilot and co-pilot door jettisoning system and corrective 
actions. The corrective actions include greasing the tenons and 
restoring the jettison system. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 14 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680...........................              $0             $680           $9,520
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action 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 this on-condition action:

                                     Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                                  Labor cost                                       Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..............................................              $0              $85
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[[Page 31611]]

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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2021-12-05 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21592; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0314; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00599-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 20, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC155B1 helicopters, 
certificated in any category, all serial numbers manufactured before 
June 30, 2015, and equipped with a pilot or co-pilot door 
jettisoning system in accordance with Airbus Helicopters 
modification POST MOD 0752C05, except helicopters on which Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) task 52-11-00-712 was accomplished on both 
pilot and co-pilot doors since the last crew door installation.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5210, Passenger/Crew 
Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of difficulties when 
jettisoning the co-pilot door during non-scheduled maintenance. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address jamming of the affected door 
jettisoning mechanism, which could reduce the ability of the 
flightcrew to evacuate in the event of an emergency situation.

(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 Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2015-0157, dated July 30, 2015 
(EASA AD 2015-0157).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2015-0157

    (1) Where EASA AD 2015-0157 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2015-0157 does not apply 
to this AD.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2015-0157 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD 
requires using hours time-in-service.
    (4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2015-0157 provides an option 
to contact Airbus Helicopters for approved instructions and 
accomplish those instructions, for this AD, the option is to repair 
the jettison system in accordance with FAA-approved procedures.
    (5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2015-
0157 specifies to ``speak to Airbus Helicopters,'' this AD requires 
repairing the jettison system in accordance with FAA-approved 
procedures.
    (6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2015-
0157 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing 
the parts from service instead.

(i) 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 (j) 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen Arrigotti, 
Program Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 2200 South 216th 
St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 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 Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2015-0157, dated 
July 30, 2015.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2015-0157, 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-
2021-0314.
    (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 27, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-12482 Filed 6-14-21; 8:45 am]
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