87 FR 154 pgs. 49554-49556 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Type: PRORULEVolume: 87Number: 154Pages: 49554 - 49556
Pages: 49554, 49555, 49556Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2022-0881; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00424-R]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2022-16887 Filed 8-10-22; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0881; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00424-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) Model SA330J helicopters. This proposed 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 proposed AD would 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 a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 September 26, 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 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 EASA material that is proposed for IBR in this NPRM, 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 https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For Airbus 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 www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. The EASA material is also available at www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0881.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 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 NPRM, the 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 kristin.bradley@faa.gov.
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-2022-0881; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00424-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 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 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. 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 2022-0056, dated March 24, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0056), to correct an unsafe condition for all serial-numbered Airbus (Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, Aérospatiale, and Sud Aviation) Model SA 330 J helicopters, except those having Airbus modification (mod) 07 27362 embodied in production.
[top] This proposed AD 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 FAA is proposing this AD to address the restricted movement of the collective lever. This 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
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.
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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2022-0056, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed 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 2022-0056 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2022-0056 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 2022-0056 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 2022-0056. Service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0056 for compliance will be available at www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0881 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 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 proposed AD.
Removing the covering plate of the collective lever secondary stop and replacing it with self-adhesive tape would take about 1 work-hour and parts would 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
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
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:
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2022-0881; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00424-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by September 26, 2022.
(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
[top] 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
(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
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)(2) 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) Related Information
(1) 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 www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at https://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. This material may be found in the AD docket at www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0881.
(2) 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.
Issued on July 20, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-16887 Filed 8-10-22; 8:45 am]
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