87 FR 231 pgs. 73914-73916 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Type: RULEVolume: 87Number: 231Pages: 73914 - 73916
Pages: 73914, 73915, 73916Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2022-0881; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00424-R; Amendment 39-22233; AD 2022-23-06]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2022-26175 Filed 12-1-22; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
[top]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0881; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00424-R; Amendment 39-22233; AD 2022-23-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) Model SA330J helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of restricted movement of the collective lever caused by incidental contact of the secondary stop cover due to a loosened rivet. This AD requires removing the plate of the collective lever secondary stop and replacing it with self-adhesive tape to cover the stop support and decrease the risk of resistance on the rotor flight controls, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
This AD is effective January 6, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 6, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0881; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For EASA material that is incorporated by reference (IBR) in this final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu; internet 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 in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0881.
Other Related Service Information: For Airbus 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 airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may also view this service information at the FAA contact information under Material Incorporated by Reference 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 kristin.bradley@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2022-0056, dated March 24, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0056), to correct an unsafe condition for all serial-numbered Airbus (Eurocopter France, Aérospatiale, and Sud Aviation) Model SA 330 J helicopters, except those having Airbus modification (mod) 07 27362 embodied in production.
[top] The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2022 (87 FR 49554). The NPRM was prompted by a report of restricted movement of the collective lever during take-off. After an investigation, it was determined that the movement of the collective lever was restricted due to simultaneous movement of the collective secondary stop cover due to a loosened rivet. This investigation also determined that the loosened rivet securing the covering plate had come into contact with the collective flying control fulcrum, leading to the restricted movement of the collective lever. The NPRM proposed to require removing the plate of the collective lever secondary stop and replacing it with self-adhesive tape to cover the stop support and decrease the risk of resistance on the rotor flight controls, as specified in EASA AD 2022-0056.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the restricted movement of the collective lever. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced control of the helicopter, potentially resulting in damage to the helicopter and injury to occupants. See EASA AD 2022-0056 for additional background information.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs.
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
EASA AD 2022-0056 requires modification of the helicopter by removing and replacing the covering plate of the collective lever secondary stop with self-adhesive tape to decrease the risk of resistance on the rotor flight controls.
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 reviewed Airbus Alert Service Bulletin No. SA330-67.27, Revision 0, dated February 2, 2022, for Model SA330J helicopters. This service information specifies modification procedures for removal of the covering plate and installation of the self-adhesive tape.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 14 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.
Removing the covering plate of the collective lever secondary stop and replacing it with self-adhesive tape takes about 1 work-hour and parts cost up to $100 for an estimated cost of up to $185 per helicopter and $2,590 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
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
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§?39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends §?39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2022-23-06 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22233; Docket No. FAA-2022-0881; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00424-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 6, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0056, dated March 24, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0056).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700, Rotorcraft Flight Control.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of restricted movement of the collective lever caused by incidental contact of the secondary stop cover due to a loosened rivet. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the restricted movement of the collective lever. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced control of the helicopter, potentially resulting in damage to the helicopter and injury to occupants.
(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, EASA AD 2022-0056.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0056
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0056 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0056 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0056 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service.
(4) This AD does not mandate compliance with the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0056.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
[top] Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0056 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
(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. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.
(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) Additional Information
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 kristin.bradley@faa.gov.
(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 2022-0056, dated March 24, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022-0056, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(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 material that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on October 28, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-26175 Filed 12-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P