DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0096; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01092-R;
Amendment 39-22004; AD 2022-08-01]
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) 2020-22-01
which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L,
and AS332L1 helicopters. AD 2020-22-01 required inspecting the affected
parts and associated frame bores for discrepancies, applicable
corrective actions, and reporting certain information if necessary.
This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on attachment screws and
fittings fastening the main gearbox (MGB) suspension bars to the
fuselage. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2020-22-01, adds
recurring inspections, and updates the applicable service information.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 17, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 17, 2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. 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. It is also available at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2022-0096.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0096; 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 2020-22-01, Amendment 39-21297 (85 FR
69126, November 2, 2020) (AD 2020-22-01). AD 2020-22-01 applied to all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1
helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 10,
2022 (87 FR 7770). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain all the
requirements of AD 2020-22-01, and proposed to require adding
repetitive inspections and updating the applicable service information.
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2021-0222, dated October 6, 2021
(EASA AD 2021-0222), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for
the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition
for Airbus Helicopters (AH), formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter France,
Aerospatiale, Model AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, and AS 332 L1
helicopters, all serial numbers. EASA advises a significant number of
reports were received about corrosion being detected on the attachment
screws and fittings fastening the rear MGB suspension bars, right-hand
and left-hand side, to the fuselage, and the attachment screws and
fitting fastening the front MGB suspension bar to the fuselage. EASA
also advises Airbus Helicopters issued updated service information,
which includes instructions for repetitive inspections.
Accordingly, EASA AD 2021-0222 retains the requirements of EASA AD
2019-0295, dated December 5, 2019, which prompted AD 2020-22-01, and
adds repetitive inspections and updated service information.
Additionally, Airbus Helicopters advised of a typo in the applicable
service information in the reference to G.2 of one of the work cards.
Accordingly, the FAA has identified this typo in the exceptions in the
regulatory text of this AD.

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 Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. AS332-53.02.05, Revision 2, and ASB No. AS332-53.02.07, Revision 1,
both dated August 19, 2021, which specify procedures for inspecting the
attachment fittings and attachment screws of the MGB suspension bars
and their frame bores for discrepancies and corrective actions. This
inspection includes inspecting the attachment fittings for corrosion
and inspecting the attachment screws for corrosion and evidence of
sealing compound. The corrective actions include replacing or repairing
corroded parts and replacing screws that have sealing compound on them.
These documents are distinct since they apply to different helicopter
models in different configurations.
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. AS332-53.02.05,
Revision 0, dated April 18, 2019; Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-
53.02.05, Revision 1, dated March 2, 2020; and Airbus Helicopters ASB
No. AS332-53.02.07, Revision 0, dated October 21, 2019, which also
specify procedures for inspecting the attachment fittings and
attachment screws of the MGB suspension bars and their frame bores for
discrepancies and corrective actions.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 10 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.
Inspecting each attachment screw and fitting of the rear MGB
suspension bars; each attachment screw and fitting of the front MGB
suspension bar; and the frame bores takes about 16 work-hours, for an
estimated cost of $1,360 per helicopter and $13,600 for the U.S. fleet
per inspection cycle.
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition corrective actions that are required based on the results of
the inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
helicopters that might need these on-condition replacements:
If required, replacing an affected screw, nut, split pin, concave
washer, convex washer, or peel shim takes a minimal amount of time with
a minimal cost.
If required, replacing an affected MGB attachment fitting takes
about 8 work-hours and parts cost about $7,000 for an estimated cost of
$7,680 per replacement.
If required, reporting any discrepancies to Airbus Helicopters
takes about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter.

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 2020-22-01, Amendment 39-21297 (85
FR 69126, November 2, 2020); and

b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: