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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0340; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01638-R;
Amendment 39-21634; AD 2021-14-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Eurocopter France) Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-25-01
which applied to certain Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters)
Models AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1,
AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N
helicopters. AD 2003-25-01 required modifying and re-identifying the
hoist operator control unit and replacing certain fuses. This AD was
prompted by the identification of multiple errors in the applicable
service information for the AS350-series and AS355-series helicopters
and of other needed changes. This AD retains certain requirements of AD
2003-25-01, revises the applicability, and requires using corrected
service information. This AD also requires reporting certain
information and prohibits the installation of an affected hoist until
the required actions are accomplished. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 19, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 19,
2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of
January 20, 2004 (68 FR 69596, December 15, 2003).
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North 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 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. Service information that
is incorporated by reference is also available at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0340.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0340; 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, the
Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC) AD, the European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 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: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-
9167; email hal.jensen@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2003-25-01, Amendment 39-13384 (68 FR
69596, December 15, 2003) (AD 2003-25-01), for Eurocopter France (now
Airbus Helicopters) Model AS332C, C1, L, and L1, AS350B, BA, B1, B2,
B3, and D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters with a Breeze 300
pound electric hoist (hoist) and hoist operator control unit 26M part
number (P/N) 350A63-1136-00 or 350A63-1136-01, and hoist electric box
91M P/N 332A67-2875-00, installed. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on April 28, 2021 (86 FR 22363). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed
to require modifying and re-identifying the hoist operator control
unit, replacing the fuses, and performing a functional test of the
hoist operation and the emergency jettison controls. The NPRM also
proposed to require reporting certain information and prohibit the
installation of an affected hoist until the required actions are
accomplished.
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2019-0228, dated September 12,
2019 (EASA AD 2019-0228) to supersede DGAC AD 2002-585(A), dated
November 27, 2002 (DGAC AD 2002-585(A)), issued by DGAC, which is the
aviation authority for France. EASA, which is the Technical Agent for
the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA AD 2019-0228 to
correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters (AH), formerly
Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale Model AS 350 B, AS 350 BA,
AS 350 BB, AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3, AS 350 D, AS 355 E, AS 355
F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, and AS 355 N helicopters. EASA advises that
Airbus Helicopters identified translation errors in the service
information required for compliance by DGAC AD 2002-585(A). Airbus
Helicopters was also informed that there could be helicopters modified
by that service information with incorrect installations. Prompted by
these findings, Airbus Helicopters revised the related service
information. Therefore, EASA issued EASA AD 2019-0228 to require
modifying and re-identifying the hoist operator control unit, replacing
the fuses, and performing a functional test of the hoist operation and
the emergency jettison controls as intended by DGAC AD 2002-585(A) with
the revised service information. EASA AD 2019-0228 also requires
reporting certain information to Airbus Helicopters and prohibits the
installation of an affected part on any helicopter unless it has been
modified.
The NPRM also retains the requirements from AD 2003-25-01 for Model
AS332C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters with a certain hoist and hoist box
installed, based on DGAC AD 2002-584(A), dated November 27, 2002.
Additionally, since the FAA issued AD 2003-25-01, the FAA
discovered that the applicability needed to be revised. This AD revises
the applicability by distinguishing the hoist box installations by P/N,
clarifying that Airbus Helicopters service information refers to a
hoist box as a hoist operator's control unit, adding TRW, Lucas, and
Air Equipement hoists for affected Model AS350-series and AS355-series
helicopters, and adding an exception for affected helicopters to
exclude those with a certain modification (MOD) installed.
Lastly, since the FAA issued AD 2003-25-01, Eurocopter France
changed its name to Airbus Helicopters. This AD reflects that change
and updates the contact information to obtain service documentation.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
These helicopters have been approved by both the authority of
France and EASA and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with France and the European
Union, DGAC and EASA have notified the FAA about the unsafe condition
described in the ADs issued by each authority. The FAA reviewed the
relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD
as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these helicopters. With the exception of the minor
editorial change of adding, ``With a'' in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this
AD, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. 25.00.71, Revision 2, dated May 14, 2019 (ASB 25.00.71 Rev 2),
Airbus Helicopters ASB No. 25.00.79, Revision 3, dated September 24,
2019 (ASB 25.00.79 Rev 3), and Eurocopter ASB No. 25.01.18, dated
November 12, 2002 (ASB 25.01.18). ASB 25.00.71 Rev 2 applies to Model
AS355-series helicopters, ASB 25.00.79 Rev 3 applies to Model AS350-
series helicopters, and ASB 25.01.18 applies to Model AS332-series
helicopters. ASB 25.00.71 Rev 2 and ASB 25.00.79 Rev 3 specify
procedures to install MOD 07 3190, which consists of eliminating
resistor 27M in the hoist operator's control unit 26M and replacing the
2.5A quick-response fuses on the Honeywell unit at 30 alpha or 21 delta
for Model AS350-series helicopters or on the distribution panel 10
alpha for Model 355-series helicopters. ASB 25.00.71 Rev 2 and ASB
25.00.79 Rev 3 also specify reporting certain information to Airbus
Helicopters. ASB 25.01.18 specifies procedures to install MOD 332PCS 78
288, which consists of eliminating resistor 81M in hoist box 91M and
re-identifying the hoist box as 332P67-2894-01, -02, -03, or -04,
depending on which electrical wiring assembly is installed in the
helicopter.
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
The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. 25.00.71, Revision
1, dated May 21, 2014 (ASB 25.00.71 Rev 1), and ASB No. 25.00.79,
Revision 1, dated May 21, 2014 (ASB 25.00.79 Rev 1) and Revision 2 (ASB
25.00.79 Rev 2), dated May 14, 2019.
ASB 25.00.71 Rev 1 specifies the same actions as ASB 25.00.71 Rev
2, except ASB 25.00.71 Rev 2 provides a reminder that MOD 07 3190 is
mandatory and adds a reporting response form. ASB 25.00.79 Rev 1 and
ASB 25.00.79 Rev 2 specify the same actions as ASB 25.00.79 Rev 3,
except ASB 25.00.79 Rev 2 provides a reminder that MOD 07 3190 is
mandatory and adds a reporting response form and ASB 25.00.79 Rev 3
adds Model AS350L1 to the effectivity.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
EASA AD 2019-0228 applies to Model AS350BB helicopters, whereas
this AD does not because that model is not FAA type-certificated. EASA
AD 2019-0228 requires modifying affected parts within 100 flight hours
or 2 months, whichever occurs first, whereas this AD requires these
actions before next flight involving a hoist operation for Model AS350-
series and AS355-series helicopters instead.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects up to 977 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.
Modifying and re-identifying the hoist operator control unit,
replacing the fuses, and functionally testing the hoist operation and
the emergency jettison controls takes about 4 work hours and parts cost
about $20 for an estimated cost of $360 per helicopter and up to
$351,720 for the U.S. fleet.
For Model AS350-series and AS355-series helicopters, reporting
information takes about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per
helicopter and up to $82,195 for the U.S. fleet.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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:
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2003-25-01, Amendment 39-13384 (68
FR 69596, December 15, 2003); and
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
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