[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 19, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42951-42954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15387]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0878; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00873-R; 
Amendment 39-22124; AD 2022-14-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by a report of a cracked main rotor hub (MRH) sleeve. This AD 
requires one-time visual inspections and, depending on the results, 
accomplishing additional inspections, repairing the MRH sleeve in 
accordance with a certain approval, and removing the MRH sleeve from 
service and installing an airworthy part. This AD also prohibits 
installing an MRH sleeve unless certain inspections have been 
accomplished. The FAA previously sent an emergency AD to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of these helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 3, 2022. Emergency AD 2022-14-51, 
issued on July 1, 2022, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment, was effective with actual notice.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of August 3, 2022.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by September 2, 2022.

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 above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, 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. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-
0878.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0878; 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 
listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS 
Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 1, 2022, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2022-14-51, which 
requires certain inspections and corrective actions for Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters with MRH sleeve part number (P/N) 
332A31-3071-00 installed. The FAA sent the emergency AD to all known 
U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. That action was 
prompted by EASA Emergency AD 2022-0130-E, dated June 30, 2022 (EASA AD 
2022-0130-E), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the 
Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for 
Airbus Helicopters (AH), formerly Eurocopter, Model EC 225 LP 
helicopters. EASA advises of a crack in an MRH sleeve that 
investigation determined was a fatigue crack that had initiated from a 
corrosion pit located in an area with chipped paint. This condition, if 
not addressed, could result in failure of an MRH sleeve, loss of a main 
rotor blade, and subsequent loss of the helicopter.
    Accordingly, EASA AD 2022-0130-E requires initial one-time detailed 
visual inspections of MRH sleeve P/N 332A31-3071-00 and depending on 
the results, follow-on repetitive inspections and corrective actions.

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 emergency AD. The FAA is issuing 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 the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin No. 62A017, Revision 0, dated June 30, 2022, which applies to 
Model EC225LP and EC725AP helicopters. This service information 
specifies procedures for one-time detailed visual inspections of a 
certain area (identified as ``Specific area'' in Figure 3 of the 
service information) of MRH sleeve P/N 332A31-3071-00. Depending on the 
one-time inspection results, this service information specifies 
procedures for follow-on inspections, which include eddy current 
inspections, and chemical stripping and fluorescent penetrant 
inspections; and corrective actions, which include applying primer and 
paint protection, removing corrosion, applying a protective coating, 
contacting Airbus Helicopters for corrective action, and removing and 
returning the MRH sleeve to Airbus Helicopters.
    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.

[[Page 42952]]

AD Requirements

    This AD requires visually inspecting the ``Specific area'' of each 
MRH sleeve P/N 332A31-3071-00 for flaking and paint touch-up. If there 
is any flaking or paint touch-up, this AD requires visually inspecting 
the ``Specific area'' of the MRH sleeve for a crack.
    As a result of the visual inspection, if there is a crack, this AD 
requires removing the MRH sleeve from service and installing an 
airworthy part. If there is not a crack, this AD requires an inspector 
with a certain qualification using high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) 
to inspect the ``Specific area'' of the MRH sleeve for a crack.
    As a result of the HFEC, if there is a crack, this AD requires 
removing the MRH sleeve from service and installing an airworthy part. 
If there is not a crack, this AD requires chemically stripping and 
fluorescent penetrant inspecting (FPI) the ``Specific area'' of the MRH 
sleeve for corrosion.
    As a result of the FPI, if there is corrosion, this AD requires 
removing the corrosion by hand and repeating the FPI of each affected 
area to inspect for corrosion, and depending on the subsequent results, 
removing the MRH sleeve from service and installing an airworthy part; 
or drying the MRH sleeve, applying a protective coating, primer, and 
paint protection, and having an inspector with a certain qualification 
using HFEC repetitively inspect the ``Specific area'' of the MRH sleeve 
for a crack. If there is a crack, this AD requires removing the MRH 
sleeve from service and installing an airworthy part. However, if the 
corrosion cannot be removed by hand, this AD requires removing the MRH 
sleeve from service and installing an airworthy part or repairing the 
MRH sleeve in accordance with a certain approved method.
    As a result of the first FPI, if there is no corrosion, this AD 
requires applying primer and paint protection.
    As an option to the first FPI and its follow-on actions, if there 
is not a crack, this AD allows applying primer and paint protection or, 
for any areas with flaking paint, applying only varnish instead of 
primer and paint protection on each flaking paint area; and having an 
inspector with a certain qualification using HFEC to repetitively 
inspect the ``Specific area'' of the MRH sleeve for a crack. If there 
is a crack, this AD requires removing the MRH sleeve from service and 
installing an airworthy part.
    This AD also prohibits installing an MRH sleeve unless specified 
one-time visual inspections have been accomplished.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    If there is corrosion in an MRH sleeve, EASA AD 2022-0130-E 
requires contacting Airbus Helicopters for approved repair 
instructions, whereas this AD requires removing the MRH sleeve from 
service or repairing the MRH sleeve in accordance with a certain 
approved method.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds 
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of 
Emergency AD 2022-14-51, issued on July 1, 2022, to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of these helicopters. The FAA found that the risk 
to the flying public justified waiving notice and comment prior to 
adoption of this rule because failure of an affected part could result 
in loss of the helicopter and injury to its occupants and persons on 
the ground. In light of this, the initial actions required by this AD 
must be accomplished before further flight and certain follow-on 
actions required by this AD must be accomplished within 15 hours time-
in-service or 3 months, whichever occurs first after accomplishing the 
initial actions. These compliance times are shorter than the time 
necessary for the public to comment and for publication of the final 
rule. These conditions still exist, therefore, notice and opportunity 
for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and 
comment.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0878; Project Identifier MCAI-
2022-00873-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 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 final rule 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 final rule.

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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Kristi 
Bradley, Program Manager, COS Program Management Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 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.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

[[Page 42953]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 33 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 AD.
    Visually inspecting an affected MRH sleeve for flaking and paint 
touch-up takes about 0.5 work-hour for an estimated cost of $43 per MRH 
sleeve and up to $7,095 for the U.S. fleet (with up to five affected 
MRH sleeves per helicopter).
    If required, visually inspecting each MRH sleeve for a crack takes 
about 0.5 work-hour for an estimated cost of $43 per MRH sleeve. 
Accomplishing an HFEC takes about 0.5 work-hour for an estimated cost 
of $43 per MRH sleeve, per inspection cycle. Chemically stripping and 
accomplishing an FPI takes about 8 work-hours for an estimated cost of 
$680 per MRH sleeve, per inspection cycle.
    Removing corrosion and applying protective coating, primer, and 
paint protection takes a minimal amount of time and parts cost a 
nominal amount. Replacing an MRH sleeve takes about 4 work-hours and 
parts cost about $102,371 for an estimated cost of $102,711 per MRH 
sleeve. The FAA has no way of determining the costs pertaining to any 
necessary repairs that are required to be done with an approved method.

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, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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:

2022-14-51 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22124; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0878; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00873-R.

(a) Effective Date

    The FAA issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-14-51 
on July 1, 2022, directly to affected owners and operators. As a 
result of such actual notice, that AD was effective for those owners 
and operators on the date it was provided. This AD contains the same 
requirements as that emergency AD and, for those who did not receive 
actual notice, is effective on August 3, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with main rotor hub (MRH) sleeve part 
number 332A31-3071-00 installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200, Main Rotor 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked MRH sleeve. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to detect corrosion or cracking in an MRH 
sleeve. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
failure of an MRH sleeve, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent 
loss of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
visually inspect the ``Specific area'' of each MRH sleeve as 
depicted in Figure 3 of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin No. 62A017, Revision 0, dated June 30, 2022 (ASB 62A017), 
for flaking and paint touch-up.
    (2) As a result of the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, if there is no flaking or paint touch-up, no further action 
is required. If there is any flaking or paint touch-up, before 
further flight, visually inspect the ``Specific area'' of the MRH 
sleeve as depicted in Figure 3 of ASB 62A017 for a crack.
    (3) As a result of the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of 
this AD, if there is a crack, before further flight, remove the MRH 
sleeve from service and replace it with an airworthy part. If there 
is not a crack, within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, 
whichever occurs first after accomplishing the actions required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, use high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) 
to inspect the ``Specific area'' of the MRH sleeve as depicted in 
Figure 3 of ASB 62A017 for a crack. This HFEC inspection must be 
accomplished by a Level II or III inspector certified in the eddy 
current fault detection method in the Aeronautics Sector according 
to the EN4179 or NAS410 standard.
    (4) As a result of the actions required by paragraph (g)(3) of 
this AD, if there is a crack, before further flight, remove the MRH 
sleeve from service and replace it with an airworthy part. If there 
is not a crack, before further flight, chemically strip and 
fluorescent penetrant inspect (FPI) the ``Specific area'' of the MRH 
sleeve as depicted in Figure 3 of ASB 62A017 for corrosion.
    (i) If there is corrosion as a result of the actions required by 
the introductory text of paragraph (g)(4) of this AD, before further 
flight, accomplish the actions required by paragraph (g)(4)(i)(A) or 
(B) of this AD.
    (A) Remove the corrosion by hand using 120-grit abrasive cloth, 
followed by 400-grit abrasive cloth. After removing the corrosion, 
perform an FPI of each affected area to inspect for corrosion, and 
accomplish the actions required by paragraph (g)(4)(i)(A)(1) or (2) 
of this AD.
    (1) If there is corrosion, before further flight, remove the MRH 
sleeve from service and replace it with an airworthy part or repair 
it in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, General 
Aviation & 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.
    (2) If there is no corrosion, before further flight, completely 
dry the MRH sleeve and apply a protective coating, primer, and paint 
protection. Following application, within 15 hours TIS and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15 hours TIS, use HFEC to 
inspect the ``Specific area'' of the MRH sleeve as

[[Page 42954]]

depicted in Figure 3 of ASB 62A017 for a crack. This HFEC inspection 
must be accomplished by a Level II or III inspector certified in the 
eddy current fault detection method in the Aeronautics Sector 
according to the EN4179 or NAS410 standard. If there is a crack, 
before further flight, remove the MRH sleeve from service and 
replace it with an airworthy part. Accomplishment of the HFEC 
inspections with no detected cracks after 75 hours TIS since 
applying the coating, primer, and paint protection constitutes a 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this 
paragraph.
    (B) If the corrosion cannot be removed by hand as specified in 
paragraph (g)(4)(i)(A) of this AD, before further flight, remove the 
MRH sleeve from service and replace it with an airworthy part or 
repair it in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, 
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA DOA. If approved 
by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (ii) If there is no corrosion as a result of the actions 
required by the introductory text of paragraph (g)(4) of this AD, 
before further flight, apply primer and paint protection.
    (5) As an option to the actions required by paragraph (g)(4) of 
this AD, if there is not a crack, accomplish the actions required by 
paragraphs (g)(5)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
    (i) Before further flight, apply primer and paint protection. If 
there is any area with flaking paint, you may apply only varnish 
instead of primer and paint protection on each flaking paint area.
    (ii) Within 15 hours TIS after accomplishing the actions 
required by paragraph (g)(5)(i) of this AD and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 15 hours TIS, HFEC inspect the ``Specific 
area'' of the MRH sleeve as depicted in Figure 3 of ASB 62A017 for a 
crack. This HFEC inspection must be accomplished by a Level II or 
III inspector certified in the eddy current fault detection method 
in the Aeronautics Sector according to the EN4179 or NAS410 
standard. If there is a crack, before further flight, remove the MRH 
sleeve from service and replace it with an airworthy part.
    (6) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an MRH 
sleeve identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter 
unless the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD 
have been accomplished.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    A special flight permit may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199 provided that there are no passengers onboard and 
there is no crack or corrosion in an MRH sleeve.

(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 Kristi Bradley, 
Program Manager, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety 
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in EASA Emergency AD 
2022-0130-E, dated June 30, 2022. You may view the EASA AD at 
https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2022-0878.

(k) 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) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
62A017, Revision 0, dated June 30, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Airbus Helicopters 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.
    (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 July 8, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15387 Filed 7-14-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P