DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0020; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01639-R;
Amendment 39-21536; AD 2021-10-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03-12
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2019-03-12
required repetitively inspecting, cleaning, and lubricating each life
raft inflation cylinder percussion system bellcrank (bellcrank). This
new AD continues to require the actions specified in AD 2019-03-12, and
requires replacing any affected bellcrank with a serviceable bellcrank,
which terminates the repetitive actions. This AD was prompted by
reports of jammed bellcranks in the life raft jettison inflation
cylinder percussion system. The actions of this AD are intended to
address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 22, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 22,
2021.

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 this referenced 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 on the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2021-0020.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
in Docket No. FAA-2021-0020; 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 AD, the European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any service information that is
incorporated by reference, 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: Blaine Williams, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
CA 90712 4137; telephone 562-627-5371; email blaine.williams@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0287, dated November 27, 2019
(EASA AD 2019-0287) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. EASA AD 2019-
0287 supersedes EASA AD 2019-0102, dated May 9, 2019. EASA AD 2019-
0102, dated May 9, 2019, superseded EASA AD 2016-0200, dated October
11, 2016, which prompted FAA AD 2019-03-12, Amendment 39-19564 (84 FR
8250, March 7, 2019) (AD 2019-03-12). You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0020.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-03-12. AD 2019-03-12 applied to
certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2021 (86 FR 11659).
The NPRM was prompted by reports of jammed bellcranks in the life raft
inflation cylinder percussion system. The NPRM proposed to continue to
require the actions specified in AD 2019-03-12, and to require
replacing any affected bellcrank with a serviceable bellcrank, which
would terminate the repetitive actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address jammed bellcranks in the life raft jettison inflation cylinder
percussion system. This condition could result in failure of a life
raft to release in an emergency and subsequent injury to occupants. See
the MCAI for additional background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule, but the FAA did not receive any 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 and updating paragraph (m)(1) of this AD.
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

Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin EC225-25A211,
Revision 1, dated October 23, 2019. This service information specifies
procedures for replacing any affected life raft release bellcrank with
a serviceable bellcrank. 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

Airbus Helicopters has also issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin
No. 05A050, Revision 0, dated July 22, 2016; and Emergency Alert
Service Bulletin No. 05A050, Revision 1, dated April 3, 2019. This
service information specifies procedures for cleaning and lubricating
each bellcrank and pivot link of the life raft inflation cylinder
percussion system and removing any corrosion.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

EASA AD 2019-0287 requires replacing each affected bellcrank with a
serviceable part within 6 months after the effective date of that AD.
This AD requires replacing each affected bellcrank with a serviceable
part within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, or before the
next operation over water, whichever occurs first.

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 that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD.

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

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

The FAA has determined that 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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03-12, Amendment 39-19564
(84 FR 8250, March 7, 2019); and

b. Adding the following new AD: