[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 7, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35695-35697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14399]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-500; Project Identifier 2017-SW-069-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a report of a jammed pilot collective pitch 
lever (collective). This proposed AD would require inspecting the 
collective for proper engagement of the locking pin. 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 August 23, 
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 between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus 
Helicopters, 2701 North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 
(972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may 
view the referenced 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-500; 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, the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) 
(EASA) AD, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Kenward, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5152; 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-2021-500; Project Identifier 
2017-SW-069-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 
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 NPRM.

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 
Anthony Kenward, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, 
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5152; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2017-0062, dated April 11, 2017 
(EASA AD 2017-0062), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. EASA states that 
during an autorotation test conducted during an acceptance flight, the 
pilot felt a jamming sensation when pushing the collective to the low 
pitch position, and he subsequently was able to free the collective by 
pulling on it. According to EASA, an analysis determined that the 
locking tab hook (hook) and the low pitch locking pin (pin) were 
extremely close, and that a fold in the control lever boot may have 
become caught between the two components. EASA states that this 
condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in an untimely 
locking of the collective and subsequent reduced control of the 
helicopter.
    Accordingly, EASA AD 2017-0062 requires inspecting and adjusting, 
if necessary, the clearance between the hook and the pin while in the 
low pitch position.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD 
after evaluating all

[[Page 35696]]

known relevant information and determining that the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters 
of these same type designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB No. 
EC130-67A019, Revision 0, dated February 23, 2016, which specifies 
inspecting and adjusting the clearance between the hook and pin.
    This service information 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.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require, within 90 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of the AD, or before the next 
autorotation training flight, whichever occurs first, removing the 
protective boot along the collective and measuring the clearance 
between the hook and pin. If the clearance is less than 5 mm (0.196 
in), adjusting the clearance between the hook and the pin to prevent 
interference would be required. This proposed AD would then require re-
installing the protective boot in accordance with the manufacturer's 
service information.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires compliance within 165 hours TIS or 3 months, 
whichever occurs first. Since the unsafe condition occurred at a 
collective position commanded during an autorotation, this proposed AD 
would require compliance within 90 hours TIS after the effective date 
of this AD or before the next autorotation training flight, whichever 
occurs first. Based on the average fleet usage, 90 hours TIS would 
correspond with the 3-month compliance requirement of the EASA AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 214 
helicopters of U.S. Registry. At an average labor rate of $85 per work-
hour, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this proposed AD. Removing the protective boot 
would require about 2 work-hours for a cost of $170 per helicopter and 
a cost of $36,380 for the U.S. fleet. Determining the clearance between 
the hook and pin would require about 0.5 work-hour, for a cost of $43 
per helicopter and a cost of $9,202 for the U.S. fleet. If required, 
adjusting the clearance would take about 2 work-hours for a cost of 
$170 per helicopter. Re-installing the protective boot would require 
about 2 work-hours, for a cost of $170 per helicopter and a cost of 
$36,380 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

    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, I certify this proposed regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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-2021-500; Project Identifier 
2017-SW-069-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by August 23, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and Model 
EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700, Rotorcraft 
Flight Control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a jammed pilot collective 
pitch lever (collective). The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent an 
untimely locking of the collective and subsequent reduced control of 
the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Within 90 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this 
AD or before the next autorotation training flight, whichever occurs 
first:
    (1) For each collective, remove the protective boot along the 
collective and measure the clearance between the edge of the 
collective tab hook (a) and the edge of the low pitch locking pin 
(b) as shown in Figure 1 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 
Bulletin ASB No. EC130-67A019, Revision 0, dated February 23, 2016 
(ASB EC130-67A019). If the clearance is less than 5 mm (0.196 in), 
before further flight:
    (i) Adjust the clearance by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B.3., of ASB EC130-67A019.
    (ii) Test the collective for proper engagement of the low pitch 
locking pin by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
3.B.4., of ASB EC130-67A019.
    (2) Re-install the protective boot on the collective, ensuring 
that no boot folds have entered the space between the collective tab 
hook and the low pitch locking pin, by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B.5., of ASB EC130-67A019.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

[[Page 35697]]

(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)(1) 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

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Anthony Kenward, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone (817) 222-5152; email [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or 
at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may view this referenced 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.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
2017-0062, dated April 11, 2017. You may view the EASA AD at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket FAA-2021-500.

    Issued on June 10, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-14399 Filed 7-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P