DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0881; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00424-R;
Amendment 39-22233; AD 2022-23-06]
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 (Airbus) Model SA330J helicopters. This AD
was prompted by a report of restricted movement of the collective lever
caused by incidental contact of the secondary stop cover due to a
loosened rivet. This AD requires removing the plate of the collective
lever secondary stop and replacing it with self-adhesive tape to cover
the stop support and decrease the risk of resistance on the rotor
flight controls, 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 January 6, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 6,
2023.

ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-0881; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For EASA material that is incorporated by reference (IBR)
in this final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu.
You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa.eu; internet 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 at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0881.
Other Related Service Information: For Airbus 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 airbus.com/helicopters/services/
technical-support.html. You may also view this service information at
the FAA contact information under Material Incorporated by Reference
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS
Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email kristin.bradley@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2022-0056, dated March 24, 2022
(EASA AD 2022-0056), to correct an unsafe condition for all serial-
numbered Airbus (Eurocopter France, A[eacute]rospatiale, and Sud
Aviation) Model SA 330 J helicopters, except those having Airbus
modification (mod) 07 27362 embodied in production.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters
Model SA330J helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
August 11, 2022 (87 FR 49554). The NPRM was prompted by a report of
restricted movement of the collective lever during take-off. After an
investigation, it was determined that the movement of the collective
lever was restricted due to simultaneous movement of the collective
secondary stop cover due to a loosened rivet. This investigation also
determined that the loosened rivet securing the covering plate had come
into contact with the collective flying control fulcrum, leading to the
restricted movement of the collective lever. The NPRM proposed to
require removing the plate of the collective lever secondary stop and
replacing it with self-adhesive tape to cover the stop support and
decrease the risk of resistance on the rotor flight controls, as
specified in EASA AD 2022-0056.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address the restricted movement of
the collective lever. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in reduced control of the helicopter, potentially resulting in
damage to the helicopter and injury to occupants. See EASA AD 2022-0056
for additional background information.

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

EASA AD 2022-0056 requires modification of the helicopter by
removing and replacing the covering plate of the collective lever
secondary stop with self-adhesive tape to decrease the risk of
resistance on the rotor flight controls.
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.

Other Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Airbus Alert Service Bulletin No. SA330-67.27,
Revision 0, dated February 2, 2022, for Model SA330J helicopters. This
service information specifies modification procedures for removal of
the covering plate and installation of the self-adhesive tape.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 14 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.
Removing the covering plate of the collective lever secondary stop
and replacing it with self-adhesive tape takes about 1 work-hour and
parts cost up to $100 for an estimated cost of up to $185 per
helicopter and $2,590 for the U.S. fleet.

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: