DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0904; Product Identifier 2019-SW-041-AD; Amendment
39-21864; AD 2021-05-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires
various inspections of the left-hand side (LH) engine fuel supply (fuel
supply) hose and depending on the inspection results, reinstalling the
fuel supply hose or removing the fuel supply hose from service.
Additionally, this AD requires installing an improved part and
prohibits installing a certain part-numbered LH fuel supply hose on any
helicopter unless it is installed by following certain procedures. This
AD was prompted by a report of an incorrect installation of the LH fuel
supply hose causing restricted fuel flow to the LH engine. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 27, 2022.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of January 27, 2022.

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 at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0904.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0904; 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 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: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-
9167; email hal.jensen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters
Model EC225LP helicopters with a LH fuel supply hose part number (P/N)
704A34416087 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
October 7, 2020 (85 FR 63235, October 7, 2020). For helicopters
delivered to the first operator before November 30, 2018, and for
helicopters delivered to the first operator on or after November 30,
2018, that have had the LH fuel supply hose replaced or reinstalled
before May 10, 2019, the NPRM proposed to require visually inspecting
the LH fuel supply hose for twisting, and if needed, borescope
inspecting the entire length of the inside of the fuel supply hose for
twisting. Depending on the inspection results, the NPRM proposed to
require reinstalling or removing the fuel supply hose from service.
Additionally, the NPRM proposed to prohibit installing a certain part-
numbered LH fuel supply hose on any helicopter unless that LH fuel
supply hose is installed by following certain procedures specified in
the manufacturer's service bulletin. The proposed requirements were
intended to prevent a decrease of the LH
engine power when accelerating to a power setting corresponding to One
Engine Inoperative (OEI) power and subsequent reduced control of the
helicopter.

The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2019-0092, dated April 26, 2019
(EASA AD 2019-0092), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for
the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition
for Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) Model EC 225 LP
helicopters, all serial numbers. EASA advised that an occurrence was
reported where during an in-flight single engine power check, the LH
side engine experienced a power loss. EASA stated that a subsequent
investigation determined that the fuel flow to the affected engine was
restricted by a twisted fuel supply hose. EASA stated that this
condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a decrease of
the LH engine power when accelerating to the power setting
corresponding to OEI power, and subsequent reduced control of the
helicopter. Accordingly, EASA AD 2019-0092 required a one-time visual
inspection of the fuel supply hose and depending on the inspection
results, removing from service or replacing the affected part. EASA AD
2019-0092 also introduced re-installation requirements for a fuel
supply hose that is being replaced or reinstalled.

After the FAA issued the NPRM, the FAA issued a supplemental notice
of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD
that would apply to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters with a
LH fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416087 installed. The SNPRM published in
the Federal Register on May 10, 2021 (86 FR 24783, May 10, 2021) (the
May 2021 SNPRM). The May 2021 SNPRM proposed to require visually
inspecting the LH fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416087 for twisting, and
if needed, borescope inspecting the entire length of the inside of the
fuel supply hose for twisting. Depending on the inspection results, the
May 2021 SNPRM proposed to require reinstalling or removing the fuel
supply hose from service. Additionally, the May 2021 SNPRM proposed to
prohibit installing a certain part-numbered LH fuel supply hose on any
helicopter unless that LH fuel supply hose is installed by following
certain procedures specified in the manufacturer's service
bulletin.

The May 2021 SNPRM was prompted by the FAA's determination that
operators may not have the information required to comply with the
proposed requirements in the NPRM. Operators may not know the date the
helicopter was delivered to the first operator. Additionally, operators
may not know whether the LH fuel supply hose has been previously
removed or reinstalled since the maintenance regulations do not require
certain operators to maintain these records after one year.

Accordingly, the FAA determined that revising proposed paragraph
(e)(1) of the NPRM by deleting the language referring to delivery dates
and dates of LH fuel supply hose replacement or reinstallation was
necessary. As a result of these changes, the FAA revised the NPRM to
specify that all helicopters included in the applicability paragraph
would be required to comply with the proposed requirements in the May
2021 SNPRM. Also, after the NPRM was issued, the FAA determined that a
limit on special flight permits was required. The May 2021 SNPRM
reflected this change and stated that special flight permits may be
permitted provided that there are no passengers on board.

Since the May 2021 SNPRM was issued, EASA issued EASA AD 2021-0156,
dated July 2, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0156), which supersedes EASA AD 2019-
0092. EASA advises that Airbus Helicopters has developed an improved
fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416101 and modification instructions to
install the improved part. Accordingly, EASA AD 2021-0156 retains the
requirements of EASA AD 2019-0092 and requires replacing the affected
part with the improved part. EASA AD 2021-0156 also allows a
terminating action for the inspection requirements once the improved
part has been installed according to the installation requirements.

Accordingly, the FAA issued a second SNPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39
by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP
helicopters with a LH fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416087 installed. This
SNPRM published in the Federal Register on September 7, 2021 (86 FR
49937, September 7, 2021) (the September 2021 SNPRM). The September
2021 SNPRM proposed to require visually inspecting the LH fuel supply
hose for twisting, and if needed, borescope inspecting the entire
length of the inside of the fuel supply hose for twisting. Depending on
the inspection results, the September 2021 SNPRM proposed to require
reinstalling or removing the fuel supply hose from service.

Additionally, the September 2021 SNPRM proposed to prohibit
installing a certain part-numbered LH fuel supply hose on any
helicopter unless that LH fuel supply hose is installed by following
certain procedures described in the manufacturer's service bulletin.
Finally, the September 2021 SNPRM proposed to require modifying your
helicopter by removing from service LH fuel supply hose P/N
704A34416087 and installing the improved LH fuel supply hose P/N
704A34416101. This modification would provide terminating action for
the proposed inspection requirements of the September 2021 SNPRM.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received comments from six commenters on the September 2021
SNPRM. Five commenters supported the SNPRM without change and one
individual supported the SNPRM but requested a certain change. The
following presents this comment and the FAA's response.

Request To Revise the Required Actions Section To Include Additional
Inspections

One individual requested that the FAA revise the Required Actions
section of this AD to include repetitive inspections of the LH fuel
supply hose for one year after initial installation of the new supply
hose. The individual stated this will ensure maximum safety and
efficiency.

The FAA disagrees with this request because the unsafe condition is
adequately addressed by installing the improved fuel supply hose in
accordance with this AD.

Conclusion

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 reviewed the relevant
data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these helicopters.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
EC225-71A019, Revision 2, dated May 21, 2021 which specifies procedures
for removing the fuel supply hose from the LH power plant, visually
inspecting the fuel supply hose for twisting, and depending on
inspection results, performing an endoscope inspection on the inside of
the hose. This service
information also specifies procedures required to install the improved
fuel supply hose.

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 Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
EC225-71A019, Revision 1, dated February 28, 2019, which also specifies
procedures for removing the fuel supply hose, visually inspecting the
fuel supply hose for twisting, performing an endoscope inspection on
the inside of the hose, and specifies procedures required to install a
serviceable fuel supply hose.

Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2021-0156

EASA AD 2021-0156 requires compliance within 110 flight hours or 6
months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of EASA AD
2019-0092, while this AD requires compliance within 110 hours time-in-
service after the effective date of this AD. EASA AD 2021-0156 requires
reporting information to Airbus Helicopters if the LH fuel supply hose
is twisted on the inside, while this AD does not. Additionally, EASA AD
2021-0156 is applicable to all serial-numbered EC225LP helicopters,
whereas this AD applies to EC225LP helicopters with a certain LH fuel
supply hose installed.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 28 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.

Visually inspecting the LH fuel supply hose for twisting takes
about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and
$2,380 for the U.S. fleet.

Replacing a LH fuel supply hose takes about 8 work-hours and parts
cost about $2,363 for an estimated replacement cost of $3,043 per
replacement.

Borescope inspecting the LH fuel supply hose takes about 8 work-
hours for an estimated cost of $680 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 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.

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: