DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0042; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00659-R;
Amendment 39-22759; AD 2024-10-13]
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 all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS3322L, AS332L1, AS332L2,
and EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks on
the fuel filter bowl (bowl) due to over-torquing. This AD requires
visually inspecting the bowls of the right hand (RH) and left hand (LH)
fuel filters for any cracks and seepage. Depending on the inspection
results, this AD requires removing an affected fuel filter from service
and replacing that part. This AD also allows a certain fuel filter to
be installed on a helicopter if certain actions are accomplished. These
requirements are 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 August 13, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 13,
2024.

ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0042; 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 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 EASA material, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA
material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 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-2024-0042.
Other Related Service Information: For Airbus Helicopters service
information, 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/en/products-services/helicopters/hcare-services/airbusworld.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781)
238-7244; email: william.mccully@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2023-0095, dated May 8, 2023 (EASA
AD 2023-0095), to correct an unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters AS
332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, AS 332 L2, and EC 225 LP
helicopters, all serial numbers.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Helicopters
Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP
helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 2,
2024 (89 FR 7302). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a report of
cracks on the bowl due to over-torquing.
The NPRM proposed to require accomplishing the actions specified in
EASA AD 2023-0095, as incorporated by reference, except for any
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD
and except as discussed under ``Differences Between this AD and the
EASA AD.'' The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
You may examine EASA AD 2023-0095 in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0042.

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.

Related Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2023-0095 requires a one-time inspection of the bowls of
the LH and RH fuel filters for cracks and seepage. Depending on the
inspection results, EASA AD 2023-0095 requires replacement of an
affected part with a serviceable part, as defined in EASA AD 2023-0095.
EASA AD 2023-0095 also allows certain fuel filters to be installed on a
helicopter if certain actions are accomplished.
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 Material

The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) No. AS332-28.00.88, and Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-28A030,
both Revision 0, and both dated April 25, 2023. This service
information specifies procedures for a visual inspection the bowls on
the RH and LH fuel filters for any cracks and seepage. Depending on the inspection
results, this service information specifies procedures to remove and
replace an affected fuel filter. This service information also
specifies sending an affected fuel filter along with certain
information to Airbus Helicopters, and performing an aspect check after
replacement of the affected parts.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

EASA AD 2023-0095 requires replacing each affected fuel filter with
a serviceable fuel filter if any discrepancy is detected, whereas this
AD requires removing each affected fuel filter from service and
replacing it with a serviceable fuel filter, as described in EASA AD
2023-0095, if any crack or seepage is detected.
Service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0095 specifies
reporting certain information and sending affected parts to Airbus
Helicopters, whereas this AD does not require sending information or
parts to Airbus Helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 40 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 bowl for cracks (with 2 bowls per helicopter) and
seepage will take approximately 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of
$170 per helicopter and $6,800 for the U.S. fleet.
Replacing an affected fuel filter with a serviceable fuel filter
will take approximately 1 work-hour and parts will cost approximately
$6,290 for an estimated cost of $6,375 per fuel filter replacement.

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: