DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1056; Product Identifier 2018-SW-047-AD; Amendment
39-21193; AD 2020-16-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Eurocopter France) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-25-09
for Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model SA330F, G, and J
helicopters. AD 2009-25-09 required re-adjusting the torque of the main
gearbox (MGB) flexible coupling bolts. Since the FAA issued AD 2009-25-
09, Airbus Helicopters has modified the MGB overhaul and repair
procedures, which corrects the unsafe condition. Additionally, the FAA-
validation for Model SA330F and G helicopters has been cancelled. This
new AD retains the requirements of AD 2009-25-09 and revises the
applicability by excluding Model SA330F and G helicopters and excludes
MGBs that have been subject to the modified procedures. The actions of
this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 10, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
10, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 29,
2009 (74 FR 66045 December 14, 2009).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N 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. It is also available on the internet at https://www.
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-1056.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov in Docket No. FAA-2019-1056; 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 AD, the European Aviation
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD,
any service information that is incorporated by reference, 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: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email
james.blyn@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to remove AD 2009-25-09, Amendment 39-16128 (74 FR 66045,
December 14, 2009) (``AD 2009-25-09'') and add a new AD. AD 2009-25-09
applied to Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model SA330F, G,
and J helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
December 20, 2019 (84 FR 70076). AD 2009-25-09 was prompted by EASA AD
No. 2008-0049-E, dated March 3, 2008 and corrected March 7, 2008 (EASA
AD 2008-0049-E), to correct an unsafe condition on Model SA 330 F, G,
and J helicopters. The NPRM proposed to retain the attachment hardware
torque verification and re-adjustment requirements of AD 2009-25-09,
and would revise the applicability paragraph by excluding Model SA330F
and G helicopters and by excluding input flexible coupling flange
assemblies that have been installed in an MGB that has been overhauled
after April 1, 2015.
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2008-0049R1, dated December
18, 2015 (EASA AD 2008-0049R1), issued by EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe
condition for Airbus Helicopters Model SA 330 J helicopters. EASA
advises that since EASA AD 2008-0049-E was issued, Airbus Helicopters
has improved its procedures for assembling the flexible coupling-to-
flanges during MGB overhaul and maintenance of individual flexible
couplings. EASA further states that the improved maintenance procedures
ensure the correct torqueing of the attachment bolts of the flexible
couplings. Because of these improved procedures, EASA AD 2008-0049R1
states that installing a coupling-to-flange assembly that has been
subject to improved maintenance procedures after April 1, 2015, is an
acceptable method to comply with the requirements of that AD. The FAA
agrees with EASA's determination and therefore proposed to change AD
2009-25-09 accordingly.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this AD, but did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

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 of the
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after
evaluating all information provided by EASA and determining the unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters
of these same type designs and that air safety and the public interest
require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No.
05.95, dated March 3, 2008, and Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert
Service Bulletin No. 05.95, Revision 1, dated October 22, 2015, which
specify procedures for readjusting or checking the tightening torque
load of the hardware attaching the flexible coupling to the sliding
coupling flange and the bolts attaching the flexible coupling to the
fixed coupling flange. Revision 1 of this service information excludes
from its applicability certain flexible coupling assemblies that have
undergone the improved procedures.

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.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

The service information requires contacting the manufacturer
depending on the results of an inspection, but this AD does not.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 16 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85
per work-hour.
Re-adjusting the tightening torque on the flexible coupling-to-
flange attachment bolts takes about 8 work-hours for an estimated cost
of $680 per helicopter and $10,880 for the U.S. fleet.
For MGB input flexible coupling flange assemblies with more than 75
hours time-in-service, inspecting the tightening torque load on the
flexible coupling-to-flange attachment bolts takes about 10 work-hours
for an estimated cost of $850 per helicopter.
If required, replacing a damaged flexible coupling takes about 1
work-hour in addition to those required for disassembling and
inspecting the flexible coupling flange assembly and parts cost about
$2,046 for an estimated cost of $2,131 per helicopter.

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 has determined that 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.

Adoption of 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-25-09, Amendment 39-16128
(74 FR 66045, December 14, 2009); and

b. Adding the following new AD: