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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0909; Project Identifier 2019-SW-118-AD; Amendment
39-21458; AD 2021-05-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that the cabin lateral
sliding plug door failed its emergency jettisoning test; subsequent
investigation revealed that the jettison handle cable interfered with
the cable clamps. This AD requires modifying the release system of each
cabin lateral sliding plug door, or modifying the design of the
jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, as specified
in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is
incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 7, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 7, 2021.
ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) 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 IBR material on the EASA website
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR 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-2020-
0909.
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-
0909; 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
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, Aviation Safety
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 EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0064R1, dated December 19, 2019
(EASA AD 2019-0064R1) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and
AS332L1 helicopters.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus
Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 7, 2020 (85 FR
63238). The NPRM was prompted by a report that the cabin lateral
sliding plug door failed its emergency jettisoning test; subsequent
investigation revealed that the jettison handle cable interfered with
the cable clamps. The NPRM proposed to require modifying the release
system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, or modifying the design
of the jettison system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door, as
specified in EASA AD 2019-0064R1, which is incorporated by reference.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition, which could
lead to jamming of the door jettisoning mechanism, preventing the
jettisoning of the affected door in an emergency situation, and
possibly obstructing occupant evacuation. See the MCAI for additional
background information.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment
received. The commenter indicated support for the NPRM.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2019-0064R1 describes, among other things, procedures for
modifying the release system of each cabin lateral sliding plug door,
or modifying the design of the jettison system of each cabin lateral
sliding plug door.
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 MCAI
EASA AD 2019-0064R1 specifies inspections of the jettisoning
mechanism of the cabin lateral sliding plug doors and corrective
actions. This AD does not include those actions. AD 2019-09-03,
Amendment 39-19637 (84 FR 22693, May 20, 2019) (AD 2019-09-03) already
requires those actions. The FAA has determined that this AD will only
require the modification specified in EASA AD 2019-0064R1, which would
then terminate the requirements of AD 2019-09-03.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 19 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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LABOR COST
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PARTS COST
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COST PER PRODUCT
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COST ON U.S. OPERATORS
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| Up to 214 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $18,190. |
$ *
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Up to $18,190
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Up to $345,610.
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* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the agency to provide parts cost estimates for the
actions specified in this AD.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
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