[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 96 (Thursday, May 16, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42820-42824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09791]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1297; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00736-R]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD 
was prompted by a report of water in the oil of a main gearbox (MGB). 
This AD requires replacing certain main rotor (M/R) mast upper stops 
assembly screws. This proposed AD would also require inspecting certain 
M/R mast

[[Page 42821]]

cover plates and accomplishing MGB oil analyses and, depending on the 
results, replacing the M/R mast cover plate, accomplishing an 
additional inspection, or replacing the MGB. This proposed AD would 
also prohibit installing certain M/R mast upper stops assembly screws, 
M/R masts with an affected M/R mast upper stops assembly screw 
installed, or used M/R mast cover plates on any helicopter. Lastly, 
this proposed AD would prohibit installing affected M/R masts unless 
the inspections are done. These actions are specified in a European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for 
incorporation by reference. 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 July 1, 
2024.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1297; 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, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA material, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA 
material on the EASA website at 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 at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1297.
    Other Related Service Information: For Airbus Helicopters service 
information identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 
North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; phone (972) 641-0000 or 
(800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/hcare-services/airbusworld. You may also view this 
service information at the FAA contact information under Material 
Incorporated by Reference above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone (404) 
474-5548; 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-2024-1297; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2022-00736-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.
    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 
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 Dan 
McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone (404) 474-5548; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives that 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 2022-0104, dated June 9, 2022 (EASA 
AD 2022-0104), to correct an unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters 
Model EC 225 LP helicopters.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a report of water in the oil of an 
MGB, due to an incorrect installation of the upper M/R mast cover 
plate. According to Airbus Helicopters, a detailed inspection of the 
MGB showed corrosion on the M/R mast and inside the MGB. The upper M/R 
mast cover plate was deformed. Also, according to Airbus Helicopters, a 
different M/R mast had damaged upper stop screws installed, also due to 
an incorrect installation. The FAA is issuing this proposed AD to 
prevent water in the MGB oil. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in corrosion of the M/R mast and inside the MGB, 
degradation of the MGB, degradation of the upper stops assembly, 
failure of a critical part, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    You may examine EASA AD 2022-0104 in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1297.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2022-0104 requires replacing each M/R mast upper stops 
assembly screw, except those marked with ``BC'' on the screw head. For 
certain helicopters, EASA AD 2022-0104 requires inspecting a certain 
part-numbered M/R mast cover plate and depending on the results, 
replacing the cover plate and accomplishing an additional inspection. 
For those same certain helicopters, EASA AD 2022-0104 also requires 
accomplishing MGB oil analyses and, depending on the results, 
accomplishing an additional inspection. Depending on the results of the 
additional inspection following the M/R mast cover plate inspection or 
MGB oil analyses, EASA AD 2022-0104 requires replacing the MGB. As an 
option, EASA AD 2022-0104 allows replacing the MGB as an acceptable 
alternative method to comply with the required MGB oil sample analyses.
    Lastly, EASA AD 2022-0104 prohibits installing M/R mast upper stops 
assembly screws--except those marked

[[Page 42822]]

with ``BC'' on the screw head, M/R masts with an affected M/R mast 
upper stops assembly screw installed, and used M/R mast cover plates on 
any helicopter. EASA AD 2022-0104 also prohibits installing an affected 
M/R mast unless its required inspections are done.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters No. EC225-62A016, Revision 
1, dated February 28, 2023. This service information specifies 
procedures for inspecting the M/R mast upper stops assembly screws to 
determine if they're marked with ``BC'' on the screw head and depending 
on the results, replacing those screws one by one. This service 
information also specifies procedures for checking the flatness of the 
M/R mast cover plate and, depending on the results, removing and 
discarding that cover plate, installing a flat cover plate, draining 
the MGB, writing to Airbus Helicopters to do a detailed MGB inspection, 
and removing the M/R mast. Depending on the detailed MGB inspection 
results, this service information specifies filling the MGB with oil 
and installing the M/R mast; or replacing the MGB with an airworthy 
MGB, sending the removed MGB to an approved D-level center for repair, 
and installing the M/R mast.
    This service information also specifies procedures for collecting 
an MGB oil sample and sending the sample to an Airbus Helicopters 
approved laboratory for water content analysis. Depending on the 
analysis results, this service information specifies draining the MGB, 
writing to Airbus Helicopters to do a detailed MGB inspection, and 
removing the M/R mast. Depending on the detailed MGB inspection 
results, this service information specifies filling the MGB with oil 
and installing the M/R mast; or replacing the MGB with an airworthy 
MGB, sending the removed MGB to an approved D-level center for repair, 
and installing the M/R mast.

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 the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2022-0104, described previously, as incorporated by 
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this proposed AD and except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the EASA AD.''

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the 
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2022-0104 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
EASA AD 2022-0104 in its entirety through that incorporation, except 
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of 
this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading 
of a particular section in EASA AD 2022-0104 does not mean that 
operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD 
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,'' 
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section 
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2022-
0104. Service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0104 for 
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2024-1297 after the FAA final rule is published.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    For certain helicopters, EASA AD 2022-0104 specifies sending oil 
samples to an Airbus Helicopters approved laboratory for an analysis of 
the water content, whereas this proposed AD would require sending the 
main gearbox oil sample for water content analysis. Additionally, for 
those helicopters, EASA AD 2022-0104 specifies taking and analyzing the 
second MGB oil sample within 110 FH or 3 months after the initial oil 
sample, whereas this proposed AD would require collecting the second 
main gearbox oil sample and sending it for water content analysis 
within 110 hours time-in-service or 3 months after accomplishing the 
initial instance of those actions, whichever occurs later. Depending on 
the results of the cover plate inspection or an oil sample analysis, 
EASA AD 2022-0104 specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters to request to 
accomplish a detailed inspection, which shall be accomplished by 
authorized Airbus Helicopters staff and the Airbus Helicopters 
qualified staff identify any discrepancies, whereas this proposed AD 
would require a detailed inspection, which must define what is 
considered a discrepancy and be done in accordance with a method 
approved by the FAA, EASA, or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design 
Organization Approval.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 32 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.
    Replacing the M/R mast upper stops assembly screws (up to 10 
screws) would take up to approximately 0.5 work-hour and parts would 
cost up to approximately $250 (for 10 screws) for an estimated cost of 
up to $293 per helicopter and $9,376 for the U.S. fleet.
    For certain helicopters, inspecting the M/R mast cover plate would 
take approximately 0.5 work-hour for an estimated cost of $43 per 
helicopter and up to $1,376 for the U.S. fleet. Collecting an MGB oil 
sample and sending the MGB oil sample for water content analysis, which 
is considered a reporting requirement in this proposed AD, would take 
approximately 1.5 work-hours (0.5 work-hour for collecting and 1 work-
hour for sending) for an estimated cost of $128 per helicopter and up 
to $4,096 for the U.S. fleet, per instance.
    If required, replacing the M/R mast cover plate would take 
approximately 2 work-hours and parts would cost approximately $276 for 
an estimated cost of $446 per helicopter. The detailed inspection that 
may be needed could vary significantly from helicopter to helicopter. 
The FAA has no data to determine the costs to accomplish the detailed 
inspection or the number of helicopters that may need it. Replacing an 
MGB would take approximately 40 work-hours and parts would cost 
approximately $998,595 (overhauled) for an estimated cost of $1,001,995 
per helicopter.

[[Page 42823]]

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take 
approximately 1.5 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

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 above, 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-2024-1297; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2022-00736-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by July 1, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

 (d) Subject

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

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of water in the oil of a main 
gearbox (MGB), due to an incorrect installation of the upper main 
rotor mast cover plate. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent water 
in the MGB oil. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in corrosion of the main rotor mast and inside the MGB, degradation 
of the MGB, degradation of the upper stops assembly, failure of a 
critical part, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

 (f) Compliance

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

 (g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2022-0104, dated June 9, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0104).

 (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0104

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0104 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0104 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (2) of 
EASA AD 2022-0104 specifies using a rule (item zz), this AD requires 
using a straight edge.
    (4) Instead of complying with paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-
0104, comply with the following, ``For Group 2 helicopters: Within 
110 hours time-in-service or 3 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, collect a main gearbox oil sample 
and send the main gearbox oil sample for water content analysis. 
Thereafter, within 110 hours time-in-service or 3 months after 
accomplishing the initial instance of those actions, whichever 
occurs later, collect another main gearbox oil sample and send the 
main gearbox oil sample for water content analysis.''
    (5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-
0104 specifies discarding a part, this AD requires removing that 
part from service.
    (6) Where paragraphs (4.2) and (5) of EASA AD 2022-0104 specify 
contacting AH [Airbus Helicopters] with a request to accomplish a 
DET, this AD requires a detailed inspection done in accordance with 
a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, 
FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization 
Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include 
the DOA-authorized signature. The detailed inspection must define 
what is considered a discrepancy.
    (7) Instead of complying with paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2022-
0104, comply with the following, ``If there is a discrepancy as a 
result of the detailed inspection, before further flight, replace 
the main gearbox with an airworthy main gearbox.''
    (8) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2022-0104.

 (i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0104 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not require that action.

 (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) of 
this AD.

[[Page 42824]]

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

    For more information about this AD, contact Dan McCully, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone (404) 474-5548; email 
[email protected].

 (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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0104, 
dated June 9, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0104, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA 
material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on April 30, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-09791 Filed 5-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P