[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54039-54041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21116]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0574; Project Identifier 2019-SW-073-AD; Amendment 
39-21725; AD 2021-19-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal 
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

[[Page 54040]]

H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model CABRI G2 helicopters. This AD 
was prompted by a report that, during scheduled maintenance on two 
helicopters, cracks were found on a certain main rotor (MR) non-
rotating scissor link. This AD requires replacing an affected MR non-
rotating scissor link with a serviceable part. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 4, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of November 4, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal, 1070, rue du Lieutenant 
Parayre, A[eacute]rodrome d'Aix-en-Provence, 13290 Les Milles, France; 
telephone 33-04-42-39-10-88; email [email protected]; or at https://www.guimbal.com. 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. Service 
information that is incorporated by reference is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0574.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0574; 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, the 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any comments received, 
and other information. The street 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: Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 
COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone (516) 228-7323; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain 
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model CABRI G2 helicopters. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2021 (86 FR 38943). In 
the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing an affected MR non-
rotating scissor link with a serviceable part. The NPRM was prompted by 
EASA AD 2019-0186, dated July 30, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0186), issued by 
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for certain 
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model CABRI G2 helicopters. EASA 
advises that, during scheduled maintenance on two helicopters, cracks 
were found on the MR non-rotating scissor link, part number (P/N) G41-
10-200. The suspected root cause for the cracking is corrosion due to 
stress induced by the mounting of the metal bushings inside the lug 
hole. To address this issue the manufacturer modified the design of the 
MR non-rotating scissor link to reinforce the lugs and replace the 
metal bushings with plastic bushings. Cracking of a MR non-rotating 
scissor link, if not addressed, could result in failure of that scissor 
link, resulting in reduced control of the helicopter.
    Accordingly, EASA AD 2019-0186 requires replacement of affected MR 
non-rotating scissor links with serviceable parts.

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

    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 reviewed the relevant 
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these helicopters. Except for minor editorial changes, 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 15-015, Revision C, 
dated August 27, 2019. This service information specifies procedures 
for, among other actions, modifying the helicopter by replacing the MR 
nonrotating scissor link, P/N G41-10-200, with a serviceable part, P/N 
G41-10-201 (by installing scissor link assembly, P/N G41-12-100, which 
includes MR non-rotating scissor link, P/N G41-10-201) and torqueing 
the bolts. 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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA also reviewed Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 15-015, Revision 
A, dated July 20, 2015 (SB 15-015, Revision A); and SB 15-015, Revision 
B, dated July 12, 2019 (SB 15-015, Revision B). SB 15-015, Revision A, 
describes procedures for replacing a MR non-rotating scissor link, P/N 
G41-10-200, with P/N G41-12-100, which has a new, improved design. SB 
15-015, Revision B, describes the same procedures as SB 15-015, 
Revision A, and includes a revised compliance time, an updated 
Situation section, and added an action.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 32 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.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement...........................  1 work-hour x $85 per               $323            $408         $13,056
                                         hour = $85.
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[[Page 54041]]

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 helicopters 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:

 2021-19-07 H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal: Amendment 39-21725; 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0574; Project Identifier 2019-SW-073-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 4, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model 
CABRI G2 helicopters, certificated in any category, with main rotor 
(MR) non-rotating scissor links, part number (P/N) G41-10-200 
installed.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that during scheduled 
maintenance on two helicopters, cracks were found on the MR non-
rotating scissor link with P/N G41-10-200. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address cracking of a MR non-rotating scissor link. Cracking 
of a MR non-rotating scissor link, if not addressed, could result in 
failure of that scissor link, resulting in reduced control of the 
helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 50 hours time-in-service or 2 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, modify the 
helicopter by replacing the MR non-rotating scissor link, P/N G41-
10-200, with a serviceable scissor link assembly, P/N G41-12-100, in 
accordance with the Required Actions, IPC 4.1-2 (a) through (d) 
inclusive, of Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 15-015, Revision C, dated 
August 27, 2019.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a MR 
non-rotating scissor link, P/N G41-10-200, on any helicopter.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using the service information specified in 
paragraph (h)(1) or (2) of this AD.
    (1) Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 15-015, Revision A, dated July 
20, 2015.
    (2) Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 15-015, Revision B, dated July 
12, 2019.

(i) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 
21.199, are prohibited.

(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)(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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, 
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 
Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7323; email [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (l)(3) and (4) of this AD.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0186, dated July 30, 2019. You 
may view the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0574.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 15-015, Revision C, dated August 
27, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal, 1070, rue du Lieutenant Parayre, 
A[eacute]rodrome d'Aix-en-Provence, 13290 Les Milles, France; 
telephone 33-04-42-39-10-88; email [email protected]; or at 
https://www.guimbal.com.
    (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.
    (5) You may view this service information 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 September 1, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-21116 Filed 9-29-21; 8:45 am]
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