DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0570; Product Identifier 2019-SW-121-AD; Amendment
39-21337; AD 2020-24-07]
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) 2018-26-02
for Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model AS350B3,
EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2018-26-02 required inspecting the
pilot's and co-pilot's throttle twist for proper operation. This new AD
retains the requirements of AD 2018-26-02 and adds calendar time
compliance times for the required actions. This AD was prompted by a
public comment that prompted additional review. The actions of this AD
are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 12, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 2,
2017 (81 FR 95854, December 29, 2016), and January 30, 2019 (83 FR
66093, December 26, 2018).

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 the 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. It is also available on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2020-0570.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
in Docket No. FAA-2020-0570; 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: George Schwab, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110;
email george.schwab@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to remove AD 2018-26-02, Amendment 39-19532 (83 FR 66093,
December 26, 2018) (AD 2018-26-02), and add a new AD. AD 2018-26-02
applied to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3 and EC130B4 helicopters
with an ARRIEL 2B1 engine with the two-channel Full Authority Digital
Engine Control (FADEC) and with new twist grip modification (MOD)
073254 (for Model AS350B3 helicopters) or MOD
073773 (for Model EC130B4 helicopters) installed, and Model AS350B3 and
EC130T2 helicopters with an ARRIEL 2D engine installed. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2020 (85 FR 35604). The
NPRM proposed to retain the inspection requirements of AD 2018-26-02
and include inspecting the wiring, performing an insulation test,
inspecting the pilot and copilot throttle twist grip controls, and
testing the pilot and copilot throttle twist grip controls for proper
functioning. The NPRM also proposed to include calendar compliance
times for the repetitive inspections at intervals depending on
operating conditions.
AD 2018-26-02 was prompted by EASA AD No. 2017-0059, dated April 6,
2017, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union. EASA advised that the switches in the
engine ``IDLE'' or ``FLIGHT'' control system could be affected by the
corrosive effects of a salt-laden atmosphere, which could lead to
engine power loss. EASA advised that this condition, if not detected
and corrected, could, in case of failure of the other switch, prevent
the pilot from switching from ``IDLE'' to ``FLIGHT'' mode during
training of autorotation landing, making aborting the autorotation
impossible, resulting in unintended touchdown.

Actions Since AD 2018-26-02 Was Issued

After AD 2018-26-02 was issued, the FAA received comments from one
commenter requesting the FAA clarify why the compliance time for the
repetitive inspections required in AD 2018-26-02 was given in terms of
hours time-in-service (TIS) without also requiring calendar compliance
times. The commenter stated that a lot of operators do not operate
their aircraft 660 hours TIS in a year and asked whether the FAA is
concerned with calendar time. The FAA agreed; since the unsafe
condition involves corrosion, which has a direct relationship between
calendar time and airworthiness, it is necessary to add calendar time
compliance times for all required actions including the repetitive
inspections.

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

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 of the information provided by EASA and determining the
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of the same type designs and that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Interim Action

The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If final action
is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking then.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD requires the initial inspections within 10 flight hours
or 7 days; this AD requires compliance before the next autorotation
training flight, 100 hours TIS, or 6 months, whichever occurs earlier,
as the unsafe condition only occurs when transitioning the throttle in-
flight from flight to idle and back to flight, such as during a
practice autorotation.
Additionally, the EASA AD requires installing Airbus Helicopters
MOD 074263; this AD does not as it does not correct the unsafe
condition.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed one document that co-publishes three Airbus
Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) identification
numbers: No. 05.00.61, Revision 3, dated June 15, 2015, for Model
AS350B3 helicopters; No. 05.00.41, Revision 2, dated June 15, 2015, for
the non-FAA type certificated Model AS550C3 helicopter; and No. 05A009,
Revision 3, dated June 15, 2015, for Model EC130B4 helicopters. EASB
Nos. 05.00.61 and 05A009 are incorporated by reference in AD 2018-26-02
and are retained for the requirements of this AD. EASB No. 05.00.41 is
not incorporated by reference in AD 2018-26-02 and is not incorporated
by reference in this AD. This service information applies to
helicopters with an ARRIEL 2B1 engine installed and describes
procedures for a functional check and installation of protection for
micro-contacts (microswitches) 53Ka, 53Kb, and 65K (IDLE/FLIGHT mode).
The FAA also reviewed one document that co-publishes three Airbus
Helicopters EASB identification numbers: No. 05.00.77, Revision 1,
dated June 15, 2015, for Model AS350B3 helicopters; No. 05.00.52,
Revision 1, dated June 15, 2015, for the non-FAA type certificated
Model AS550C3 helicopter; and No. 05A014, Revision 1, dated June 15,
2015, for Model EC130T2 helicopters. EASB Nos. 05.00.77 and 05A014 are
incorporated by reference in AD 2018-26-02 and are retained for the
requirements of this AD. EASB No. 05.00.52 is not incorporated by
reference in AD 2018-26-02 and is not incorporated by reference in this
AD. This service information applies to helicopters with an ARRIEL 2D
engine installed and describes procedures for a check of the protection
for micro-contacts (microswitches) 53Ka, 53Kb, and 65K (IDLE/FLIGHT
mode).
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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 617 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.
Inspecting the wiring, performing an insulation test, inspecting
the pilot and copilot throttle twist grip controls, and testing the
pilot and copilot throttle twist grip controls takes about 4 work-
hours, for an estimated cost of $340 per helicopter and $209,780 for
the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.

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) 2018-26-02, Amendment 39-19532
(83 FR 66093, December 26, 2018); and

b. Adding the following new AD: