DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1136; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01301-R;
Amendment 39-21468; AD 2021-06-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L, AS332L1, AS332C, and AS332C1
helicopters. This AD was prompted by the failure of a second stage
planet gear installed in the main gearbox (MGB). This AD requires
identifying the part number of each second stage planet gear
assembly installed in the MGB, replacing an MGB having certain second
stage planet gear assembly part numbers with a serviceable MGB,
modifying the helicopter by installing a full flow magnetic plug
(FFMP), repetitively inspecting the FFMP and the MGB bottom housing and
conical housing for metal particles, analyzing any metal particles that
are found, and applying corrective actions if necessary, as specified
in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ADs, which are
incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 30, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 30,
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 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-2020-1136.

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-
1136; 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: Mahmood Shah, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth,
TX 76177; telephone 817 222 5538; email mahmood.g.shah@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0022R2, dated December 23, 2020
(EASA AD 2020-0022R2) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L, AS332L1, AS332C, and AS332C1
helicopters.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Helicopters
Model AS332L, AS332L1, AS332C, and AS332C1 helicopters. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2020 (85 FR 82977).
The NPRM was prompted by the failure of a second stage planet gear
installed in the MGB of an Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopter.
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L, AS332L1, AS332C, and AS332C1
helicopters have a similar design to the affected Model EC225LP
helicopter, therefore, these models may be subject to the unsafe
condition revealed on the Model EC225LP helicopter. The NPRM proposed
to require identifying the part number of each second stage planet gear
assembly installed in the MGB, replacing an MGB having certain second
stage planet gear assembly part numbers with a serviceable MGB,
modifying the helicopter by installing an FFMP, repetitively inspecting
the FFMP and the MGB bottom housing and conical housing for metal
particles, analyzing any metal particles that are found, and applying
corrective actions if necessary as specified in an EASA AD.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of a second stage
planet gear installed in the MGB, which could result in failure of the
MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. See the MCAI 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 NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.

New EASA AD

In the NPRM, the FAA referred to EASA AD 2020-0022R1, dated
September 18, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0022R1). Since the NPRM was issued,
EASA issued EASA AD 2020-0022R2, which extends the compliance time for
installation of the FFMP.
The FAA determined that no additional work is required for
helicopters that have accomplished the actions as required by EASA AD
2020-0022R1. Therefore, the FAA has revised all applicable sections in
this final rule to also specify EASA AD 2020-0022R2.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule with the
changes described previously and 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.
The FAA also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA ADs 2020-0022R1 and 2020-0022R2 describe procedures for
identifying the part number of each second stage planet gear assembly
installed in the MGB, replacing an MGB having certain second stage
planet gear assembly part numbers with a serviceable MGB, modifying the
helicopter by installing an FFMP, repetitively inspecting the FFMP and
the MGB bottom housing and conical housing for metal particles,
analyzing any metal particles that are found, and applicable corrective
actions. The corrective actions include replacing an affected MGB with
a serviceable MGB. These documents are distinct since EASA AD 2020-
0022R2 extends the compliance time for installation of the FFMP.
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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 11 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:


Estimated Costs for Required Actions

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
helicopters that might need these on-condition actions:

Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions

According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for
affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs
in the cost estimate.

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: