DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0585; Product Identifier 2019-SW-112-AD; Amendment
39-21297; AD 2020-22-01]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1
helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the affected parts and
associated frame bores for discrepancies, applicable corrective
actions, and reporting certain information if necessary. This AD was
prompted by reports of corrosion on attachment screws and fittings
fastening the main gearbox (MGB) suspension bars to the fuselage. The
actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 7, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of December 7,
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 the referenced 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-2020-0585.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0585; 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 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: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-
3218; email kathleen.arrigotti@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Helicopters
Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2020 (85 FR 43749). The
NPRM proposed to require accomplishing actions specified in the service
information and sending certain inspection results to the manufacturer.
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2019-0295, dated December 5,
2019, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1
helicopters. EASA advises that there were reports of corrosion on
attachment screws and fittings fastening the rear MGB suspension bars,
right and left hand sides, to the fuselage, and the attachment screws
and fitting fastening the front MGB suspension bar to the fuselage.
Subsequent investigation determined that during maintenance visits of
an identified batch of helicopters between September 2012 and April
2019, application of compound sealant on MGB suspension bar attachment
screws may not have been accomplished using the approved maintenance
data. The EASA AD requires a one-time inspection of the affected parts,
and depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective
actions. The compliance times vary depending on helicopter
configuration.
For helicopters identified in Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1, dated March 2, 2020, the
earliest inspection compliance time is within 100 flight hours or 6
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. For
helicopters identified in Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.07,
Revision 0, dated October 21, 2019, the earliest inspection compliance
time is within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
For helicopters identified in Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-
53.02.05, Revision 1, dated March 2, 2020, the latest initial
inspection compliance time is within 3,800 flight hours or 3 years and
6 months, whichever occurs first, since the last maintenance action at
Airbus Helicopters Marignane. For helicopters identified in Airbus
Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated October 21, 2019, the
latest initial inspection compliance time is within 3,800 flight hours
since last removal.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address corrosion on attachment
fittings and attachment screws for the MGB suspension bars. This
condition, if not addressed, could lead to structural failure of the
MGB attachment screws, resulting in detachment of MGB suspension bars
from the fuselage and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Comments

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

FAA's Determination

This product has been approved by EASA and is 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 of the information provided by EASA and determining the
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of these same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Airbus Helicopters has issued ASB No. AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1,
dated March 2, 2020; and ASB No. AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated
October 21, 2019, which specify procedures for inspecting the
attachment fittings and attachment screws of the MGB suspension bars
and their frame bores for discrepancies and corrective actions. This
inspection includes an inspection of the attachment fittings and
attachment screws of the MGB suspension bars for corrosion and an
inspection of the attachment screws for evidence of sealing compound.
The corrective actions include replacing or repairing corroded parts
and replacing screws that have sealing compound on them. These
documents are distinct since they apply to different helicopter models
in different configurations.
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.

Other Related Service Information

Airbus Helicopters has also issued ASB No. AS332-53.02.05, Revision
0, dated April 18, 2019, which specifies procedures for inspecting the
attachment fittings and attachment screws of the MGB suspension bars
and their frame bores for discrepancies and corrective actions.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 12 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates 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. To comply with this AD, the FAA
estimates that it will take up to about 16 work-hours, for an estimated
cost of $1,360 per helicopter and $16,320 for the U.S. fleet. The FAA
estimates that it will take about 1 hour per helicopter to comply with
the on-condition reporting requirement in this AD.

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 currently 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 be
approximately 1 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 helicopters 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.

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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive: