DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0015; Project Identifier AD-2021-00832-R;
Amendment 39-22252; AD 2022-24-12]
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) 2020-23-05
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2020-23-05
required inspecting the control rod attachment yokes (yokes) of certain
main rotor (M/R) rotating swashplates (swashplates), establishing a
life limit, performing a one-time inspection of stripped yokes, and
applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-23-05, the
FAA has determined that certain swashplates are not susceptible to the
unsafe condition, repetitive inspections for certain swashplates are
necessary, and the criteria for when to perform a dye penetrant
inspection needed to be revised. This AD retains some of the
requirements of AD 2020-23-05 and also requires compliance with a
revised life limit; performing a repetitive visual inspection of the
yokes on certain swashplates; and depending on the inspection results,
removing the affected swashplates from service, performing a dye
penetrant inspection of the yoke, and additional corrective actions.
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-2022-0015; 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference:
For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX
75052; phone: (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or
at airbus.com/helicopters/technical-services/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
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; phone: (202) 267-9167;
email: hal.jensen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-23-05, Amendment 39-21321 (85 FR
73604, November 19, 2020) (AD 2020-23-05). AD 2020-23-05 applied to
Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters with a swashplate part
number (P/N) 332A31-3074-00 or P/N 332A31-3074-01 installed. AD 2020-
23-05 required inspecting the yokes of certain swashplates,
establishing a life limit, performing a one-time inspection of stripped
yokes, and applicable corrective actions. The FAA issued AD 2020-23-05
to detect a crack in a swashplate yoke, which could result in failure
of the yoke, loss of M/R control, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 26,
2022 (87 FR 3943). The NPRM was prompted by determinations following
the issuance of AD 2020-23-05 and EASA AD 2019-0074, dated March 28,
2019 (EASA AD 2019-0074), and issued by EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA AD 2019-0074
stated that Airbus Helicopters established a life limit (also called a
service life limit) of 12 years for the swashplate and added a
reporting requirement if there is a crack or corrosion in a yoke. EASA
further advised that additional analysis determined that it is
necessary to introduce a new life limit for affected swashplates.
You may examine EASA AD 2019-0074 in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA 2022-0015.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require all of the
requirements of AD 2020-23-05 and also proposed to require a revised
compliance time for the initial visual inspection of the yokes on
certain swashplates and clarify that dye penetrant inspection of the
yoke is required before further flight if no cracks are detected during
the visual inspection.
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-23-05. The SNPRM published
in the Federal Register on July 29, 2022 (87 FR 45715). The SNPRM was
prompted by EASA AD 2019-0074R1, dated March 8, 2022 (EASA AD 2019-
0074R1), which revised EASA AD 2019-0074.
In the SNPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require some of the
requirements of AD 2020-23-05 and also proposed to require compliance
with a revised life limit; performing a repetitive visual inspection of
the yokes on swashplates that have accumulated 7 or more years, but
less than 13 years, since the date of manufacture; and if a crack is
detected, removing the swashplate from service. If no cracks are
detected as a result of a visual inspection but a scratch or surface
degradation is detected, the SNPRM proposed to require performing a dye
penetrant inspection of the yoke. If a crack is detected during the dye
penetrant inspection, the SNPRM proposed to require removing the
swashplate from service.
Since the NPRM was issued, the FAA determined that swashplates that
have accumulated less than 7 years since the date of manufacture are
not susceptible to the unsafe condition. The FAA also determined that
repetitive inspections for swashplates that have accumulated 7 or more
years, but less than 13 years, since the date of manufacture are
necessary and the criteria for when to perform a dye penetrant
inspection needed to be revised. In light of this, the FAA revised the
SNPRM accordingly.
In the SNPRM, the FAA also corrected the description of what
prompted AD 2020-23-05, updated the related service information that
was proposed for incorporation by reference to the current revision,
and updated the estimated number of work-hours for inspecting the yokes
in the Costs of Compliance section.

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 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 SNPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed one document that co-publishes two Airbus
Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) identification
numbers: EASB No. 05A051 for Model EC225LP helicopters (EASB 05A051 Rev
4), and EASB No. 05A046 for non-FAA type-certificated Model EC725AP
helicopters (EASB 05A046 Rev 4), both Revision 4, and both dated
February 28, 2022. EASB 05A051 Rev 4 is incorporated by reference in
this AD; EASB 05A046 Rev 4 is not.
This service information specifies inspections for swashplate P/N
332A31-3074-00 and P/N 332A31-3074-01. This service information
specifies procedures for a repetitive inspection of the yokes for a
crack and a one-time inspection of the stripped yokes for corrosion and
a crack. If in doubt about whether there is a crack, this service
information specifies performing a nondestructive inspection.
Additionally, this service information specifies touching up the
swashplate with varnish if there is corrosion, removing any damage
within allowable limits, and refinishing the yokes. If there is a crack
in a yoke, this service information specifies replacing the swashplate.
This service information also specifies a life limit of 13 years since
the date of manufacture for the swashplates and reporting requirements
if a crack or corrosion is discovered. EASB 05A051 Rev 4 also updates
the list of serial numbers and manufacture dates of the swashplates.
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.

Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2019-0074R1 or the Service
Information

EASB 05A051 Rev 4 specifies performing a non-destructive inspection
if in doubt about whether there is a crack in a yoke. This AD requires
a visual inspection and if no cracks are detected, visually inspecting
for a scratch and surface degradation. If a scratch or surface
degradation is detected, this AD requires a non-destructive inspection
(dye penetrant inspection). EASB 05A051 Rev 4 also specifies sending
the swashplate back to Airbus Helicopters if cracks are found, whereas
this AD does not require sending any affected parts back to Airbus
Helicopters.
EASA AD 2019-0074R1 requires reporting inspection results, whereas
this AD does not require reporting inspection results.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 28 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.

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that are required based on the results of any
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions

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 2020-23-05, Amendment 39-21321 (85
FR 73604, November 19, 2020); and

b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: