DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24733; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00139-R;
Amendment 39-21642; AD 2021-14-15]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Eurocopter France) and Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-08-16
for certain Eurocopter France SA341G, SA342J, and SA-360C helicopters.
AD 2002-08-16 required removing certain main rotor head torsion tie
bars (tie bars) from service and revising the limitations section of
the existing maintenance manual for your helicopter by adding life
limits for certain other tie bars. This AD was prompted by the
determination that another part-numbered tie bar is affected by the
same unsafe condition. This AD continues to require removing certain
tie bars from service and establishing a life limit for certain other
tie bars. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 10, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For Eurocopter 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.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2006-24733; 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) ADs, 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 supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2002-08-16 (67 FR 19640, April
23, 2002) (AD 2002-08-16). AD 2002-08-16 applied to Eurocopter France
Model SA341G, SA342J, and SA-360C helicopters with a tie bar part
number (P/N) 341A31-4904-00, -01, -02, -03; 341A31-4933-00, -01; or
360A31-1097-02, -03, installed. The SNPRM published in the Federal
Register on May 20, 2021 (86 FR 27323). The FAA preceded the SNPRM with
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal
Register on May 10, 2006 (71 FR 27215). The SNPRM proposed to continue
to require removing tie bar P/Ns 341A31-4904-00, -01, -02, and -03; and
360A31-1097-02 and -03 from service. The SNPRM also proposed to
prohibit installing those part-numbered tie bars on any helicopter. The
SNPRM proposed to initially require removing tie bar P/Ns 341A31-4933-
00 and -01; and 704A33-633-270 from service if they have accumulated or
exceeded the specified life limit, and thereafter removing those part-
numbered tie bars from service before accumulating the specified life
limit.
The SNPRM was prompted by a significant amount of time that had
elapsed since issuance of the NPRM that required the FAA to reopen the
comment period to allow the public a chance to comment on the proposed
actions. Additional review also revealed necessary changes to address
the unsafe condition. The SNPRM proposed to clarify that the compliance
times of requirements continued from AD 2002-08-16 are effective after
the effective date of AD 2002-08-16, clarify instances of life limits
specified in calendar time that they are since initial installation of
the tie bar on any helicopter, clarify one instance of a life limit
that it is total hours time-in-service (TIS) or calendar time--
whichever occurs first, and add parts installation prohibitions. The
SNPRM also updated the AD format. As a result, paragraph identifiers
changed, editorial changes were made to meet current publishing
requirements, and the proposed requirements were revised by removing
unnecessary information.
The NPRM was prompted by DGAC AD 2001-587-041(A) R2, dated January
8, 2003 (DGAC AD 2001-587-041(A) R2), issued by the DGAC, which was the
Technical Agent for France, to correct an unsafe condition for Model SA
341/342 helicopters. The DGAC advised of another affected tie-bar P/N
704A33-633-270 and additional flight restrictions for the newly-
affected tie bar. This condition, if not addressed, could result in
failure of a tie bar and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Accordingly, DGAC AD 2001-587-041(A) R2, along with DGAC AD 2001-588-
047(A) R1, dated December 26, 2001 (DGAC AD 2001-588-047(A) R1), for
Model SA 360 helicopters, require removing certain part-numbered tie
bars from service and a life limit for certain other part-numbered tie
bars.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination
of the costs.

Conclusion

These helicopters have been approved by the European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the European Union, the
FAA has been notified about the unsafe condition described in the DGAC
ADs. 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.

Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.29,
Revision 0, dated December 4, 2002, and Eurocopter Alert Telex No.
01.39, Revision 1, dated December 11, 2001. This service information
specifies removing certain part-numbered tie bars at specified life
limits.

Differences Between This AD and the DGAC ADs

For an affected tie bar that has accumulated 7 or more years since
initial installation on any helicopter, DGAC AD 2001-587-041(A) R2
requires removing the tie bar before next flight, whereas this AD
allows removal within 5 hours TIS instead.
For an affected tie bar that has accumulated 15 or more years since
initial installation on any helicopter, DGAC AD 2001-588-047(A) R1
requires removing the tie bar before next flight, whereas this AD does
not. For an affected tie bar that has accumulated 7 or more years since
initial installation on any helicopter, DGAC AD 2001-588-047(A) R1
requires removing the tie bar before next flight, whereas this AD
allows removal within 5 hours TIS instead. DGAC AD 2001-588-047(A) R1
allows a ferry flight not to exceed 5 hours to return the helicopter to
a maintenance base, where as special flight permits are prohibited by
this AD.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 29 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this AD.
Replacing a tie bar takes about 1.5 work-hours and parts cost about
$9,579 for an estimated cost of $9,707 per tie bar.

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 2002-08-16, Amendment 39-12725 (67
FR 19640, April 23, 2002); and

b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: