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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0143; Product Identifier 2019-SW-024-AD; Amendment
39-21547; AD 2021-10-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
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
certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-
105S, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the FAA's
determination that aging of the elastomeric material in a tension
torsion strap (TT-strap) could affect the structural characteristics of
the TT-strap. This AD requires replacement of certain TT-straps with
serviceable parts and implementation of a new storage life limit for
TT-straps, 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;
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-2021-0143.
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-
0143; 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: 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 2019-0024, dated February 4, 2019
(EASA AD 2019-0024) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-105C,
BO-105D, BO-105S, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. Model BO-105D
helicopters are not certificated by the FAA and are not included on the
U.S. type certificate data sheet; this AD therefore does not include
those helicopters in the applicability.
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 Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, and BO-
105LS A-3 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
March 12, 2021 (86 FR 14023). The NPRM was prompted by the FAA's
determination that aging of the elastomeric material in a tension TT-
strap could affect the structural characteristics of the TT-strap. The
NPRM proposed to require replacement of certain TT-straps with
serviceable parts and implementation of a new storage life limit for
TT-straps, as specified in an EASA AD.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address aging of the elastomeric
material in a TT-strap, which could lead to premature failure of a TT-
strap, resulting in 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 2019-0024 specifies procedures for replacing certain TT-
straps with serviceable parts and requires a storage life limit for TT-
straps. 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
Although EASA AD 2019-0024 does not specify a life limit for the
Lord TT-Straps part number (P/N) J17322-1 and P/N 117-14111, this AD
does specify a life limit for those parts.
Where EASA AD 2019-0024 specifies that installation of a Lord TT-
Strap is allowed provided the first flight of that helicopter after
that installation is accomplished before the storage life of that Lord
TT-Strap exceeds 5 years, for this AD, the installation of a Lord TT-
Strap is allowed provided the first flight of that helicopter after
that installation is accomplished before 5 years since the TT-strap's
date of manufacture.
Where EASA AD 2019-0024 defines ``serviceable part'' as a Lord TT-
Strap having a storage life not exceeding 5 years, for this AD, a
serviceable part is Lord TT-straps P/N J17322-1 and P/N 117-14111
having less than 5 years since that TT-strap's date of manufacture.
Where EASA AD 2019-0024 specifies that the ``cure date'' of a TT-
Strap can be determined using the information provided in the
applicable service information specified in EASA AD 2019-0024, or
contacting Airbus Helicopters for applicable instructions, for this AD,
the option of contacting Airbus Helicopters is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 61 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 |
| 4 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$340 |
Up to $4,800 |
Up to $5,140 |
Up to $313,540 |
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.
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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