DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-3343; Product Identifier 2015-SW-078-AD; Amendment
39-21353; AD 2020-25-11]
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) 2014-12-
12, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B and
EC130B4 helicopters. AD 2014-12-12 required inspecting and, if
necessary, replacing parts of the sliding door star support attachment
assembly. This AD requires modifying the sliding door star support
stringer as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). This AD was prompted by
several incidents involving helicopter left-hand side doors (both
swinging and sliding) that revealed weaknesses in the locking
mechanism. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 21, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 21,
2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference in this AD, contact
the 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 this 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. It is also available in the AD
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-3343.

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-2016-
3343; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other information. The
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; telephone 206-231-3218; email
kathleen.arrigotti@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0095, dated April 29, 2020
(EASA AD 2020-0095), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus
Helicopters Model EC120B and EC130B4 helicopters.
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD to supersede AD 2014-12-12,
Amendment 39-17873 (79 FR 36638, June 30, 2014) (AD 2014-12-12). AD
2014-12-12 applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B and
EC130B4 helicopters. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on
September 22, 2020 (85 FR 59454). The FAA preceded the SNPRM with a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal
Register on October 26, 2016 (81 FR 74362). The NPRM was prompted by
the determination to expand the applicability to all serial-numbered
EC120B helicopters with affected sliding doors installed and require
compliance with revised service information. The NPRM proposed to
require inspecting each upper and lower locking pin control rod end
fitting and replacing it if necessary, cleaning and dye-penetrant
inspecting the star support pin for cracking and replacing it if
necessary, and reinforcing the sliding door star support stringer. The
SNPRM proposed to require modifying the door locking/unlocking
mechanism, as specified in EASA AD 2020-0095.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address failure of the sliding door
star support, which could inhibit the operation of the sliding door
from the inside, delaying the evacuation of passengers during an
emergency. See EASA AD 2020-0095 for additional background information.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM
or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed,
except for minor editorial changes and an exception that does not
affect helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA has determined that these
minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
SNPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in-the SNPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2020-0095, which describes improved
procedures for modifying the door locking/unlocking mechanism (e.g.
modifying the sliding door star support by installing a reinforcing
bracket and replacing rod ends).
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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

EASA AD 2020-0095 specifies to do the modification within 24
months. This AD requires the modification be done within 460 hours
time-in-service (TIS), based on an average of 230 hours TIS per year.
The FAA has determined this compliance time represents the maximum
interval of time allowable for the affected helicopters to continue to
safely operate before the modification is done. While EASA AD 2020-0095
allows credit for Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. EC120-
52A018, Revision 0, dated November 13, 2015 (ASB EC120-52A018 at
original issue), this AD does not because the applicable helicopter is
not U.S.-registered.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD would affect 261 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 proposed AD.
Modifying the door locking/unlocking mechanism takes about 20 work-
hours and parts cost about $642 for an estimated cost of $2,342 per
helicopter and $611,262 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

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) 2014-12-12, Amendment 39-17873
(79 FR 36638, June 30, 2014); and

b. Adding the following new AD: