DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1177; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01336-R;
Amendment 39-21403; AD 2021-02-20]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Hélicoptères Guimbal Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Hélicoptères Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters. This AD
was prompted by a report of a crack in a rotating scissor fitting. This
AD requires an initial and repetitive inspections of certain rotating
and non-rotating scissor fittings, and depending on the results,
replacing the affected assembly. This AD also prohibits installing
certain main rotor hubs (MRHs) and swashplate guides unless the initial
inspection has been accomplished. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 22, 2021.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of February 22, 2021.

The FAA must receive comments on this AD by March 22, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this final rule, contact
Hélicoptères Guimbal, Basile Ginel, 1070, rue du
Lieutenant Parayre, Aérodrome d'Aix-en-Provence, 13290 Les
Milles, France; telephone 33-04-42-39-10-88; email
basile.ginel@guimbal.com; web https://www.guimbal.com. 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. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1177.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1177; 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, the
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any comments received,
and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is
listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Guerin, Aerospace Engineer,
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St. Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-
3500; email fred.guerin@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2020-0199, dated September 21,
2020, and corrected September 24, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0199), to correct
an unsafe condition for Hélicoptères Guimbal (HG) Model
Cabri G2 helicopters. EASA advises of a report of a crack in a rotating
scissor fitting discovered during maintenance. According to EASA, the
suspected root cause of the crack was corrosion under residual stress.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the
rotating or non-rotating scissor fitting on either the MRH or the
swashplate guide, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Accordingly, EASA AD 2020-0199 requires an initial and repetitive
inspections of the rotating and non-rotating scissor fittings part
number (P/N) G12-00-200 installed on the MRH or swashplate guide,
respectively. If a crack is detected, the EASA AD requires replacing
the affected MRH or swashplate guide with a serviceable part. The EASA
AD prohibits installing certain MRHs and swashplate guides unless the
initial inspection has been accomplished. The EASA AD also requires
reporting certain information to HG.

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 about the
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop
on other helicopters of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-011, Revision C,
and SB 20-012, Revision B, each dated October 5, 2020 (SB 20-011 Rev C
and SB 20-012 Rev B). SB 20-012 Rev B specifies removing the bolts
connecting the two scissor fittings P/N G12-00-200 and accomplishing a
one-time detailed inspection for a crack in certain areas. SB 20-012
Rev B also specifies reassembling the two scissor fittings using
correct bolt torque limits, installing new cotter pins, and reporting
any findings to HG customer service. SB 20-011 Rev C specifies
procedures for a recurring inspection after accomplishment of SB 20-012
Rev B of the same areas of the scissor fittings for a crack as SB 20-
012 Rev B, except without removing the bolts which connect the two
scissor fittings. SB 20-011 Rev C also specifies reporting any findings to
customer service.

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

The FAA also reviewed Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-011, Revision
B, and SB 20-012, Revision A, each dated September 1, 2020 (SB 20-011
Rev B and SB 20-012 Rev A). SB 20-012 Rev A specifies the same
procedures as SB 20-012 Rev B, except SB 20-012 Rev B revises the
compliance time, adds the EASA AD identification information, and
updates the Situation section description. SB 20-011 Rev B specifies
the same procedures as SB 20-011 Rev C, except SB 20-011 Rev C adds the
EASA AD identification information and updates the Situation section
description.

AD Requirements

This AD requires, within 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30
calendar days, whichever occurs first, inspecting each rotating and
non-rotating scissor fitting with the bolts connecting the scissor
fittings removed. For this initial inspection, this AD requires
removing the cotter pins and bolts that connect the two scissor
fittings, cleaning the outside surface of each scissor fitting, and
using a flashlight to visually inspect each scissor fitting for a
crack.

This AD also requires, at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS or 6
months, whichever occurs first, repetitive inspections of each scissor
fitting without removing the bolts and separating the two scissor
fittings. For these repetitive inspections, this AD requires cleaning
each scissor fitting, and while using a flashlight, visually inspecting
each scissor fitting for a crack.

If during any inspection there is a crack, this AD requires
replacing the MRH or swashplate guide, as applicable, before further
flight.

This AD also prohibits installing an MRH or swashplate guide with
an affected scissor fitting installed, even if new, unless the initial
inspection has been accomplished.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD requires detailed inspections, whereas this AD requires
cleaning each scissor fitting and visually inspecting each scissor
fitting using a flashlight. The EASA AD also requires reporting certain
information, whereas this AD does not. The EASA AD allows installing a
new (not previously installed) MRH or swashplate guide, whereas this AD
prohibits installing a new MRH or swashplate guide unless the initial
inspection has been accomplished.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective Date

Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for "good cause," finds
that those procedures are "impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to
the public interest." Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies foregoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the initial inspection must be completed within 30 hours TIS or
30 calendar days, whichever occurs first, and thereafter, the
repetitive inspections must be completed within 50 hours TIS or 6
months, whichever occurs first. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for
prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).

In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and
comment.

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include "Docket No. FAA-2020-1177; Project Identifier MCAI-
2020-01336-R at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as "PROPIN." The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Fred
Guerin, Aerospace Engineer, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Section,
International Validation Branch (AIR-732), FAA, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3500; email
fred.guerin@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 32 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this AD.

Removing and installing the bolt and cotter pins in the initial
inspection takes a minimal amount of time. Inspecting each scissor
fitting takes about 0.5 work-hour for an estimated cost of $43 per
fitting, per inspection cycle. There are 2 scissor fittings installed
on a helicopter, for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $2,720
for the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle. If required, replacing an MRH
takes about 5 work-hours and the part costs about $32,000, for an estimated cost of
$32,425 per helicopter. If required, replacing a swashplate guide takes
about 6 work-hours and the part costs about $2,000, for an estimated
cost of $2,510 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

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, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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: