DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0994; Product Identifier 2017-SW-002-AD; Amendment
39-21216; AD 2020-17-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-14-05
for Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2017-14-05 required
replacing certain right-hand (RH) hydraulic pumps and was prompted by
reports of broken screws that attach the cover of the hydraulic pump.
This new AD requires replacing certain left-hand (LH) and RH hydraulic
pumps. This AD was prompted by reports of broken bolts that attach the
cover of the hydraulic pump. The actions of this AD are intended to
address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 22, 2020.

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 referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321,
Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
in Docket No. FAA-2018-0994; 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 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: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager,
Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section,
General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort
Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2017-14-05, Amendment 39-18949
(82 FR 31899, July 11, 2017) (``AD 2017-14-05''). AD 2017-14-05 applied
to Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters with certain serial-
numbered LH and RH hydraulic pumps part number (P/N) FR65WEO2005-175A
installed. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2020
(85 FR 30891). The FAA preceded the SNPRM with a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal Register on October 21,
2019 (84 FR 56152). The NPRM proposed to continue to require replacing
the RH hydraulic pump within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS) and also
proposed to require replacing the LH hydraulic pump within 110 hours
TIS. The NPRM also proposed to continue to prohibit the installation of
an affected hydraulic pump on any helicopter. The SNPRM proposed to
expand the applicability to include helicopters that have an affected
hydraulic pump on one or both of the LH and RH sides and change the
proposed requirements to address helicopters with an affected hydraulic
pump installed on only one side. The SNPRM also corrected the
nomenclature of ``screw'' to ``bolt.''
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2016-0264-E, dated December
22, 2016, 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 of reports of
broken screws that attach the cover of the hydraulic pump. A subsequent
investigation revealed that hydrogen was introduced into a batch of
screws delivered between July 1, 2015, and November 1, 2016, causing
the screws to become brittle and lack sufficient strength. These screws
were installed in a batch of hydraulic pumps, P/N FR65WEO2005-175A,
identified by certain serial numbers (S/Ns). As a result, the EASA AD
requires replacing the hydraulic pumps.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this AD, but did not receive any comments on the SNPRM or on
the determination of the cost to the public.

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 the same type design.

Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service
Bulletin No. SA330-29.12, Revision 0, dated December 22, 2016, which
specifies removing Nexter Mechanics hydraulic pumps P/N FR65WEO2005-
175A with certain S/Ns. If both the RH and LH hydraulic pumps have an
affected P/N and S/N, the service information specifies replacing the
RH hydraulic pump before further flight and the LH hydraulic pump
within 110 flying hours or 6 months. If only one hydraulic pump has an
affected P/N and S/N, the service information specifies replacing it
within 110 flying hours or 6 months. The service information also
specifies that, for 6 months after receipt of the service information,
an affected hydraulic pump must be ``returned to conformity'' by
complying with Nexter Mechanics Alert Service Bulletin No. NM/INGE/16-
140, Revision 0, dated December 22, 2016, before installation.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 24 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD.
Replacing a hydraulic pump takes about 2 work-hours and parts cost
about $2,500 for an estimated cost of $2,670 per hydraulic pump.

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) 2017-14-05, Amendment 39-18949
(82 FR 31899, July 11, 2017); and

b. Adding the following new AD: