DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0297; Project Identifier 2019-SW-062-AD; Amendment
39-21614; AD 2021-13-09]
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
Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, all serial numbers. This
AD was prompted by reports of the failure of the lower bearing cage of
the main rotor hub (MRH) flapping hinges and of the presence of
metallic particles at the bottom of a drag hinge. This AD requires
repetitive inspections of the MRH chip detectors, or for helicopters
not equipped with chip detectors, repetitive inspections of the oil for
contamination by metallic particles, and corrective actions if
necessary, 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 August 16, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 16,
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-2021-0297.

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-
0297; 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 2019-0157, dated July 3, 2019 (EASA
AD 2019-0157) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters, all serial numbers.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters
Model SA330J helicopters, all serial numbers. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on April 13, 2021 (86 FR 19157). The NPRM was prompted
by reports of the failure of the lower bearing cage of the MRH flapping
hinges and of the presence of metallic particles at the bottom of a
drag hinge. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections of the
MRH chip detectors, or for helicopters not equipped with chip
detectors, repetitive inspections of the oil for contamination by
metallic particles, and corrective actions if necessary, as specified
in an EASA AD.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of the lower bearing
cage of the MRH flapping hinges and presence of metallic particles at
the bottom of a drag hinge, which could lead to loss of flapping hinge
function, resulting in MRH unbalance and 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 2019-0157 specifies procedures for repetitive inspections
of the MRH chip detectors, or for helicopters not equipped with chip
detectors, repetitive inspections of the oil for contamination by
metallic particles, and corrective actions if necessary. Corrective
actions include replacement of the incidence hinge bearings,
replacement of the flapping bearing race and bearing or if there is no
degradation reinstallation of the bearing race and bearing 180[deg]
from the marked position during removal, and replacement of the drag
lower bearing race and bearing. 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. The investigation to
detect the root cause of the reported failures of the lower bearing
cage of the MRH flapping hinges and presence of metallic particles at
the bottom of the drag hinge is on-going.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 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 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

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: