[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 182 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52856-52859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20409]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0797; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00218-R]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
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 Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, 
EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reduced life limits being established 
for certain part-numbered tail rotor (TR) blades. This proposed AD 
would require determining the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of 
certain part-numbered TR blades, establishing a life limit for certain 
part-numbered TR blades, removing from service any TR blade that has 
reached or exceeded its life limit, creating a component history card, 
re-identifying certain part-numbered TR blades, and removing any TR 
blade from service before reaching its retirement life. This proposed 
AD would also prohibit installing certain TR blades on certain model 
helicopters. 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 November 8, 
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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0797 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 
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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 
COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; 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-2021-0797; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-00218-R'' 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.

[[Page 52857]]

    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 
Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 
1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; 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 2021-0050, dated February 23, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0050), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD), formerly Eurocopter Deutschland 
GmbH, Eurocopter Espa[ntilde]a S.A., Model EC135 P1, EC135 P2, EC135 
P2+, EC135 P3, EC135 T1, EC135 T2, EC135 T2+, EC135 T3, EC635 P2+, 
EC635 P3, EC635 T1, EC635 T2+, and EC635 T3 helicopters, all variants, 
and all serial numbers. EASA advises that a reduced life limit has been 
established for certain part-numbered TR blades due to higher loads 
experienced in service. This condition, if not addressed, could result 
in fatigue and failure of a TR blade and loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    Accordingly, EASA AD 2021-0050 requires determining the total hours 
TIS for certain part-numbered TR blades, recalculating the TIS for 
affected parts, and implementing a reduced life limit. EASA AD 2021-
0050 also prohibits installing certain part-numbered TR blades and TR 
head assemblies and provides conditions for re-installation of certain 
TR blades.

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 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 
EC135H-04A-002 and Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB EC135-
04A-014, both Revision 1, and both dated December 21, 2020. This 
service information specifies procedures to determine the total hours 
TIS of certain TR blades and provides instructions to re-identify 
certain part-numbered TR blades.
    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 350 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), determining the total hours TIS of certain part-numbered TR 
blades and removing from service certain part-numbered TR blades that 
have accumulated or exceeded 6,800 total hours TIS. This proposed AD 
would also require for certain part-numbered TR blades with less than 
6,800 total hours TIS, creating a component history card or equivalent 
record to establish a life limit of 6,800 total hours TIS, and removing 
these TR blades from service before accumulating 6,800 total hours TIS. 
This proposed AD would require for certain model helicopters re-
identifying certain part-numbered TR blades with new part numbers and 
removing those newly re-identified TR blades from service before 
exceeding 6,800 total hours TIS.
    This proposed AD would also require for certain model helicopters 
with certain part-numbered TR blades installed that have been 
previously installed on certain model helicopters determining the total 
hours TIS of the TR blade in accordance with a method approved by the 
FAA or EASA. Finally, for certain model helicopters this proposed AD 
would prohibit installing certain part-numbered TR blades and for 
certain model helicopters this proposed AD would prohibit installing 
certain part-numbered TR blades that have exceeded or accumulated 500 
total hours TIS while previously installed on certain model 
helicopters.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and EASA AD 2021-0050

    EASA AD 2021-0050 requires compliance using calendar time, whereas 
this proposed AD would require compliance using hours TIS instead. EASA 
AD 2021-0050 applies to Model EC635 P2+, EC635 P3, EC635 T1, EC635 T2+, 
and EC635 T3 helicopters, which are not certificated by the FAA and are 
not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet, except where the 
U.S. type certificate data sheet explains that the model EC635 T2+ 
helicopter having serial number 0858 was converted from Model EC635 T2+ 
to Model EC135 T2+. This proposed AD, therefore, does not include Model 
EC635 P2+, EC635 P3, EC635 T1, EC635 T2+, and EC635 T3 helicopters in 
the applicability. EASA AD 2021-0050 specifies contacting Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH to determine the total hours TIS 
accumulated by certain TR blades whereas this proposed AD would require 
determining the total hours TIS accumulated by the TR blade in 
accordance with a method approved by the FAA or EASA. EASA AD 2021-0050 
prohibits installing certain part-numbered TR head assemblies as 
defined in its AD, whereas this AD would not contain this prohibition.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 341 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates are estimated at 
$85 per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the 
following costs to comply with this proposed AD.
    Determining the total hours TIS of each TR blade, updating the 
helicopter records and re-identifying each TR blade would take about 10 
work-hours for each TR blade, for an estimated cost of $850 per TR 
blade.
    Replacing each TR blade would take about 10 work-hours and parts 
would

[[Page 52858]]

cost about $4,400 for an estimated cost of $5,250 per TR blade 
replacement.

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 Deutschland GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2021-0797; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00218-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by November 8, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and 
EC135T3 helicopters, certificated in any category, with tail rotor 
(TR) blade part number (P/N) L642A2002101, L642A2002103, 
L642A2002104, L642A2002111, or L642A2002112 installed.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a notification of certain parts needing 
a reduced life limit when installed on certain model helicopters. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent certain part-numbered TR 
blades from remaining in service beyond their fatigue life. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in fatigue and 
failure of a TR blade and loss of helicopter control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For all model helicopters identified in paragraph (c) of 
this AD, within 350 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, determine the total hours TIS of each TR blade P/N 
L642A2002101 or P/N L642A2002111 in accordance with paragraph 3.B.2 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Helicopters Alert 
Service Bulletin ASB EC135H-04A-002, Revision 1, dated December 21, 
2020 (ASB EC135H-04A-002) or paragraph 3.B.2 (version A) or 3.B.4 
(version B) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Helicopters 
Alert Service Bulletin ASB EC135-04A-014, Revision 1, dated December 
21, 2020 (ASB EC135-04A-014) as applicable to your model helicopter. 
Remove from service any TR blade that has accumulated or exceeded 
6,800 total hours TIS. For each TR blade that has accumulated less 
than 6,800 total hours TIS do the following:
    (i) Create a component history card or equivalent record to 
establish a life limit of 6,800 total hours TIS.
    (ii) Re-identify each TR blade P/N L642A2002101 as P/N 
L642A2002104 and re-identify each T/R blade P/N L642A2002111 as P/N 
L642A2002112 by following paragraph 3.B.5 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of ASB EC135H-04A-002, or paragraph 3.B.7 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of ASB EC135-04A-014 as applicable to 
your model helicopter.
    (iii) Thereafter, remove from service any TR blade P/N 
L642A2002104 or P/N L642A2002112 before it accumulates 6,800 total 
hours TIS.
    (2) For Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and 
EC135T2+ helicopters with TR blade P/N L642A2002103 that has 
previously been installed on Model EC135P3 or EC135T3 helicopters, 
within 350 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, determine 
the total hours TIS of the TR blade in accordance with a method 
approved by the Manager, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA; or European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) For Model EC135P3 and EC135T3 helicopters within 350 hours 
TIS after the effective date of this AD, remove from service any TR 
blade P/N L642A2002103 before exceeding 6,800 total hours TIS.
    (4) For Model EC135P3 and EC135T3 helicopters, as of the 
effective date of this AD, do not install any TR blade P/N 
L642A2002101, P/N L642A2002103, or P/N L642A2002111 on any 
helicopter.
    (5) For Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, 
EC135T2+, and EC635T2+ helicopters, as of the effective date of this 
AD, do not install any TR blade P/N L642A2002101 or L642A2002111 
that has accumulated or exceeded 500 total hours TIS while installed 
on a Model EC135P3 or EC135T3 helicopter.

(h) 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 (i)(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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez, 
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 
Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; email [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701

[[Page 52859]]

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 EASA AD 2021-0050, 
dated February 23, 2021. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2021-0797.

    Issued on September 15, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-20409 Filed 9-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P