DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0873; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00336-R;
Amendment 39-21873; AD 2021-26-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-11-
01, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and
EC225LP helicopters. AD 2018-11-01 required installing a cut-out for
the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) rail support junction profiles
and repetitively inspecting splices, frame 5295, and related equipment
for a crack. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-11-01, the manufacturer has
developed a modification for in-service helicopters for replacing
aluminum splices with steel splices on frame 5295. This AD retains the
requirements of AD 2018-11-01 and requires a modification for replacing
aluminum splices with steel splices on frame 5295 if cracking is found.
This AD also provides terminating action for the repetitive
inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 9, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 9,
2022.
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-2021-0873.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0873; 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
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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer,
COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance
&
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; email andrea.jimenez@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2018-11-01, Amendment 39-19289 (83 FR
23778, May 23, 2018), (AD 2018-11-01). AD 2018-11-01 applied to Airbus
Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters with an extended
aluminum splice installed on frame 5295, except helicopters with steel
splice kit part number 332A08-2649-3072 installed. AD 2018-11-01
required installing a cut-out for the LH and RH rail support junction
profiles and repetitively inspecting splices, frame 5295, and related
equipment for a crack. AD 2018-11-01 was prompted by reports of cracks
on frame 5295 and on splices installed to prevent those cracks. The FAA
issued AD 2018-11-01 to address a crack in frame 5295, which if not
detected and corrected, could lead to loss of structural integrity of
the helicopter frame and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 22, 2021 (86
FR 58600). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain the requirements of
AD 2018-11-01 and require a modification for replacing aluminum splices
with steel splices on frame 5295 if cracking is found. The NPRM was
prompted by EASA AD 2021-0075, dated March 16, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-
0075), which supersedes EASA Emergency AD 2014-0098-E, dated April 25,
2014 (EASA Emergency AD 2014-0098-E), issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union.
EASA advises that since EASA Emergency AD 2014-0098-E was issued,
Airbus Helicopters developed MOD 0728463, available for helicopters in
service through the applicable modification service bulletin, providing
instructions to replace aluminum splices with steel splices on frame
5295. Airbus Helicopters also issued the applicable inspection alert
service bulletins, as defined in EASA AD 2021-0075. Accordingly, EASA
AD 2021-0075 retains the requirements of EASA Emergency AD 2014-0098-E,
which is superseded, and requires a modification, replacing aluminum
splices with steel splices on helicopters on which any cracked aluminum
splice has been detected. EASA AD 2021-0075 also advises that the
modification is terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
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 EASA and are approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the
unsafe condition described in its AD. 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. Except for minor editorial changes,
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed the following Airbus Helicopters service
information.
Alert Service Bulletins Nos. AS332-05.00.97, Revision 1;
and EC225-05A038, Revision 1; both dated February 9, 2021; which
specify procedures for, among other actions, installing a cut-out for
the LH and RH rail support junction profiles and inspecting splices,
frame 5295, and related equipment for a crack. These documents are
distinct since they apply to different helicopter models.
Service Bulletins Nos. AS332-53.01.97, Revision 0; and
EC225-53-061, Revision 0; both dated February 9, 2021; which specify
procedures for modifying the helicopter by replacing the aluminum LH
and RH splices with steel splices under the plates and the brackets of
the main
gear box (MGB) bars. The modification includes taking reference readings
of the
brackets of the MGB bars, removing the MGB brackets and plates,
removing the aluminum splices and inspecting the joggling areas for
scratches or other damage, inspecting frame 5295 for cracking
(including a dye penetrant inspection if the inspection results are not
conclusive), identifying the current measurements (values) of the rivet
and attachment plate holes for installation of the steel splice
(including determining the values of the rivet holes and attachment
plate holes on frame 5295 with a calibrated pad and determining the
elongations of the holes and the lengths of the straps), modifying the
door hinge rail brackets on the LH and RH sides, and installing the
steel splices. These documents are distinct since they apply to
different helicopter models.
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 reviewed Eurocopter Helicopters (now Airbus Helicopters)
Service Bulletin No. 53-003, Revision 4, for Model EC225LP helicopters
and Service Bulletin No. 53.01.52, Revision 5, for Model AS332L2
helicopters, both dated July 23, 2010. The service bulletins specify
procedures to reinforce frame 5295 by installing a new titanium plate
underneath the fitting and a new widened aluminum splice below the
upper corner of the door.
The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin No. 05-
019, Revision 4, dated September 22, 2014, for Model EC225 LP
helicopters. This service information specifies procedures for cutting
out the junction profiles.
The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletins
Nos. AS332-05.00.97, Revision 0; and EC225-05A038, Revision 0; both
dated April 15, 2014; which specify procedures for, among other
actions, installing a cut-out for the LH and RH rail support junction
profiles and inspecting splices, frame 5295, and related equipment for
a crack.
Redesignation of AD 2018-11-01 Paragraph Identifier
Since AD 2018-11-01 was issued, the AD format has been revised, and
certain paragraphs have been rearranged. As a result, the corresponding
paragraph identifiers have been redesignated in this AD, as listed in
the following table:
Revised Paragraph Identifier
Requirement in AD 2018-11-01 |
Corresponding requirement
in this AD |
paragraph (e)
|
paragraph (g)
|
paragraph (f)
|
paragraph (j)(1)
|
Differences Between This AD and
the EASA AD 2021-0075
EASA AD 2021-0075 requires contacting Airbus Helicopters for
approved repair instructions if any crack is found during an
inspection. This AD would not require that action.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD would affect 38 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per product |
Cost on U.S. operators |
Retained installation of cut-outs
on frame 5295 from AD 2018-11-01 |
40 work-hours x $85 per
hour = $3,400 |
$5,000 |
$8,400 |
$319,200 |
Retained inspection of frame
5295 from AD 2018-11-01 |
2 work-hours x $85 per
hour = $170, per
inspection cycle
|
0 |
170, per inspection
cycle
|
6,460, per inspection
cycle |
The FAA estimates the following costs
to do any necessary repairs
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. The
agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need
these repairs:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per product |
Repair |
40 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $3,400 |
$5,000 |
$8,400 |
New modification (replacement
of aluminum splices with steel splices) |
830 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $70,550 |
35,000 |
105,550 |
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 2018-11-01, Amendment 39-19289 (83
FR 23778, May 23, 2018); and
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
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