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2021-10-10 AIRBUS HELICOPTERS: Amendment 39-21543; Docket No. FAA-2021-0105; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01422-R.
(a) EFFECTIVE DATE

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 24, 2021.

(b) AFFECTED AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES (ADS)

    None.

(c) APPLICABILITY

    This AD applies  to  all  Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters,
    certificated in any category.

(d) SUBJECT

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6320, Main Rotor Gearbox.

(e) REASON

    This AD was prompted by a failure of a second stage planet gear in-
    stalled in  the main  gearbox (MGB).  The FAA  is issuing  this AD  to
    address failure of an MGB second stage planet gear, which could result
    in  failure  of  the  MGB  and  subsequent  loss  of  control  of  the
    helicopter.

(f) COMPLIANCE

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,  unless al-
    ready done.

(g) REQUIREMENTS

    Except  as specified  in paragraph  (h) of  this AD:  Comply with  all
    required actions and compliance times specified in, and in  accordance
    with, European  Aviation Safety  Agency (now  European Union  Aviation
    Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018-0272,  dated December 13, 2018 (EASA  AD
    2018-0272).

(h) EXCEPTIONS TO EASA AD 2018-0272

(1) Where EASA AD 2018-0272 refers to its effective date, this AD requires
    using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where EASA AD 2018-0272  refers to March 30, 2018  (the effective date
    of EASA AD 2018-0065, dated March 23, 2018),  this  AD  requires using
    the effective date of this AD.

(3) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2018-0272 does not apply to this AD.

(4) Where EASA AD 2018-0272 refers to flight hours (FH),  this AD requires
    using hours time-in-service.

(5) Where paragraph (1)  of EASA AD 2018-0272 specifies to inspect the MGB
    particle detector "in accordance with the instructions of Section 3 of
    the ASB" for this AD use  "in accordance with the instructions in step
    3.B.2.a. of the ASB."

(6) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2018-0272  specifies to inspect the MGB
    bottom  housing (oil  sump) "in  accordance with  the instructions  of
    Section  3  of  the ASB"  for  this  AD use  "in  accordance  with the
    instructions in step 3.B.2.b. of the ASB."

(7) Where the service information referenced  in  EASA AD 2018-0272 speci-
    fies to perform a metallurgical analysis and contact the  manufacturer
    if unsure about the characterization of the particles collected,  this
    AD  does  not require  contacting  the manufacturer  to  determine the
    characterization of the particles collected.

(8) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0272 spec-
    ifies that if any 16NCD13 particles are found to contact  the manufac-
    turer and send a 1-liter sample  of oil to the manufacturer,  this  AD
    does not require that action.

(9) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0272 spec-
    ifies returning certain parts to the manufacturer,  this  AD  does not
    require that action.

(10) Where EASA AD 2018-0272 specifies actions  be  done  after  the  last
     flight of the day or "ALF,"  this AD requires doing those actions be-
     fore the first flight of the day.

(11) Although the  service  information  referenced  in  EASA AD 2018-0272
     specifies discarding  certain parts,  this AD  requires removing  the
     parts from service.

(i) SPECIAL FLIGHT PERMIT

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance  with 14 CFR 21.197
    and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location  where the helicop-
    ter can be modified (if the  operator elects to do so), provided  that
    the helicopter is operated during the day, under visual flight  rules,
    and with no passengers onboard.

(j) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMPLIANCE (AMOCS)

(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch,  FAA,  has the authority
    to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures  found
    in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to
    your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as
    appropriate. If  sending information  directly to  the manager  of the
    International  Validation  Branch, send  it  to the  attention  of the
    person identified  in paragraph  (k) of  this AD.  Information may  be
    emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC,  notify your appropriate principal in-
    spector, or lacking  a principal inspector,  the manager of  the local
    flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(k) RELATED INFORMATION

    For more information about this AD,  contact Mahmood G. Shah, Aviation
    Safety Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort
    Worth, TX 76177; phone: 817-222-5538; email: mahmood.g.shah@faa.gov.

(l) MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(1) The Director of the Federal Register  approved  the  incorporation  by
    reference (IBR) of  the service information  listed in this  paragraph
    under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable  to do the actions
    required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.

(i) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-0272 dated December 13,
    2018.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For EASA AD 2018-0272, 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 EASA AD  on the EASA
    website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.

(4) You may view  this  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.  This material may be found in
    the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by search
    -ing for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0105.

(5) You may view this material that is incorporated  by  reference  at the
    National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).  For  information
    on the availability of this material at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.
    gov,   or   go  to  https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-
    locations.html.

Issued on May 3, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic
Initiatives,  Compliance & Airworthiness Division,  Aircraft Certification
Service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mahmood G Shah, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Fort Worth ACO Branch,  FAA,  10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,  Fort Worth, TX 76177;
phone: 817-222-5538; email: mahmood.g.shah@faa.gov.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0105; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01422-R;
Amendment 39-21543; AD 2021-10-10]
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 all
Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. This AD was prompted by
the failure of a second stage planet gear installed in the main gearbox
(MGB). This AD requires repetitively inspecting the MGB particle
detector and the MGB bottom housing (oil sump) for metal particles,
analyzing any metal particles that are found, and replacement of the
MGB if necessary, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency
(now 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 June 24, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 24,
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-2021-0105.

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-2021-
0105; 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 G. Shah, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth,
TX 76177; phone: 817-222-5538; email: mahmood.g.shah@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0272, dated December 13, 2018
(EASA AD 2018-0272) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J 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 SA330J helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
March 2, 2021 (86 FR 12127). The NPRM was prompted by the failure of a
second stage planet gear installed in the MGB. The NPRM proposed to
require repetitively inspecting the MGB particle detector and the MGB
bottom housing (oil sump) for metal particles, analyzing any metal
particles that are found, and replacement of the MGB if necessary, as
specified in an EASA AD.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of an MGB second
stage planet gear, which could result in failure of the MGB and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 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. 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 2018-0272 specifies procedures for repetitively inspecting
the MGB particle detector and the MGB bottom housing (oil sump) for
metal particles, analyzing any metal particles that are found, and
replacement of the MGB if necessary. 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.

Interim Action

The FAA considers this AD interim action. If final action is later
identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 15 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
5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425
$0
$425
$6,375

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition replacements 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 replacements:

Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions

Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
40 work-hours x $85 per hour = $3,400
$600,000 (overhauled)
$603,400

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.

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: