DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0374; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00543-R;
Amendment 39-21663; AD 2021-16-02]
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
certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1,
AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a
left-hand (LH) side stairway door that inadvertently opened in flight
and tore off from its attachment fittings. This AD requires inspecting
the locking safety mechanism of the LH side stairway door handle and
depending on the results, corrective action. This AD also requires
modifying that locking safety mechanism 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 September 24, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
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-2021-0374.

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-
0374; 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: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC
20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email hal.jensen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0087, dated April 15, 2020
(EASA AD 2020-0087), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus
Helicopters (AH), formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale,
Sud Aviation, Model SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and
EC225LP helicopters, if equipped with an LH side stairway door, except
helicopters modified in accordance with AH modification (MOD) 07 28281
(AS 332, EC 225) or MOD 07 27338 (SA 330). EASA issued EASA AD 2020-
0087 to supersede EASA Emergency AD 2014-0241-E, dated November 4, 2014
(EASA AD 2014-0241-E).
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Model SA330J,
AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2021 (86 FR 27535). The
NPRM was prompted by a report of an LH side stairway door that
inadvertently opened and tore off from its attachment fittings during
flight. Subsequent investigation revealed that the affected side
stairway door had been recently painted and the paint impaired the
external door handle motion, affecting the correct operation of the
door locking safety mechanism. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting
the locking safety mechanism of the LH side stairway door handle and
depending on the results, corrective action. The NPRM also proposed to
require modifying the locking safety mechanism.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrect locking of the LH
side stairway door, which could result in an in-flight opening of the
door and subsequent damage to the helicopter or injury to persons on
the ground. See EASA AD 2020-0087 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2020-0087 requires repetitively inspecting the locking
safety mechanism of the LH side stairway door handle for correct
operation and depending on the results, reconditioning the locking
safety mechanism or contacting the Airbus Helicopters Support and
Services Department. EASA AD 2020-0087 also requires modifying the
locking safety mechanism, which constitutes terminating action for the
repetitive inspections.
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 EASA AD

Where EASA AD 2020-0087 refers to the effective date of EASA AD
2014-0241-E or its effective date, this AD requires using the effective
date of this AD. Where EASA AD 2020-0087 refers to Group 1 and 2
helicopters, this AD does not refer to any groups of helicopters. Where
the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0087 allows the
pilot to perform the requirements of the ASB, this AD requires the
requirements to be performed by a qualified mechanic. Where the service
information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0087 specifies to submit certain
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement. Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-
0087 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing
those parts from service instead. EASA AD 2020-0087 requires repeating
the inspection before next flight after each application of painting on
the LH side stairway door or its external door handle, whereas this AD
does not. EASA AD 2020-0087 requires contacting the Airbus Helicopters
Support and Services Department if it is impossible to recondition the
locking safety mechanism by moving the door handle, whereas this AD
requires, before further flight, accomplishing paragraph (5) of EASA AD
2020-0087 or accomplishing corrective action using a method approved by
the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA. The Manager's
approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 37 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.
Inspecting the operation of the locking safety mechanism on the LH
side stairway door handle takes about 0.1 work-hour for an estimated
cost of $9 per helicopter and $333 for the U.S. fleet.
Moving the external door handle from the ``Locked'' to the
``Unlocked'' position to determine if the safety mechanism on the LH
side stairway door handle can lock automatically takes about 0.5 work-
hour for an estimated cost of $43 per helicopter.
Modifying the locking safety mechanism on the LH side stairway door
handle takes about 8 work-hours and parts cost about $5,000 for an
estimated cost of $5,680 per helicopter.

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: