DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-1119; Project Identifier 2019-SW-089-AD; Amendment
39-21484; AD 2021-07-07]
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 EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters. This AD was
prompted by a report of mechanical deformation of the protective cover
of the "SHEAR" control pushbutton on the copilot collective
stick.
This AD requires replacement of the protective cover of the "SHEAR"
control pushbutton on the pilot and copilot collective sticks and re-
identification of the pilot and copilot collective sticks, 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 10, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 10,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this
AD,
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
phone: +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-2020-1119.
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-
1119; 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: Katherine Venegas, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA
90712; phone: 562-627-5353; email: katherine.venegas@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0246, dated October 1, 2019
(EASA AD 2019-0246) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC155B1 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 EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on January 15, 2021 (86 FR 3883). The NPRM was
prompted by a report of mechanical deformation of the protective cover
of the "SHEAR" control pushbutton on the copilot collective
stick.
The NPRM proposed to require replacement of the protective cover of the
"SHEAR" control pushbutton on the pilot and copilot collective
sticks
and re-identification of the pilot and copilot collective sticks, as
specified in an EASA AD.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address mechanical deformation of the
protective cover of the "SHEAR" control pushbutton on the copilot
collective stick, which could lead to uncommanded shearing of the hoist
cable and possible injury to hoisted person(s). 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.
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. 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 Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2019-0246 describes procedures for replacement of the
protective cover of the "SHEAR" control pushbutton on the pilot
and
copilot collective sticks and re-identification of the pilot and
copilot collective sticks. 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
Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0246 refers to a table for the
compliance time for the modification, for this AD, the compliance time
for the modification is before any hoist operations after the effective
date of this AD but no later than 3 months after the effective date of
this AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 17 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
2 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$170 |
$2,446
|
$2,616
|
$44,472
|
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:
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