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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0931; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00653-R;
Amendment 39-22493; AD 2023-13-08]
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) 2021-05-03
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2021-05-03
required various inspections of a certain part-numbered left-hand (LH)
engine fuel supply (fuel supply) hose and depending on the inspection
results, reinstalling or removing the fuel supply hose from service. AD
2021-05-03 also required installing an improved part and prohibited
installing an affected fuel supply hose on any helicopter unless it was
installed by following certain procedures. Since the FAA issued AD
2021-05-03, there were reports of difficulties using an adjusting tool
to install the improved fuel supply hose. This AD continues to require
the actions of AD 2021-05-03, expands the applicability, expands the
parts installation limitations, and requires using an improved
adjusting tool and updated procedures. This AD also updates certain
compliance times and clarifies certain requirements. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 28, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 28,
2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of
January 27, 2022 (86 FR 72824, December 23, 2021).
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0931; 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, 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 Airbus Helicopters 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/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
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0931.
Other Related Service Information: Other Airbus Helicopters service
information identified in this final rule is available at the Airbus
Helicopters contact information under Material Incorporated by
Reference above. You may also view this service information at the FAA
contact information under Material Incorporated by Reference above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hal Jensen, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 26805 E 68th Ave., Mail Stop: Room 214, Denver, CO 80249;
telephone (303) 342-1080; 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 2021-05-03, Amendment 39-21864 (86 FR
72824, December 23, 2021) (AD 2021-05-03). AD 2021-05-03 applied to
Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters with an LH fuel supply
hose part number (P/N) 704A34416087 installed. AD 2021-05-03 required
visually inspecting the LH fuel supply hose for twisting, and if
needed, borescope inspecting the entire length of the inside of the
fuel supply hose for twisting. Depending on the inspection results, AD
2021-05-03 required reinstalling or removing the fuel supply hose from
service. Additionally, AD 2021-05-03 prohibited installing that part-
numbered LH fuel supply hose on any helicopter unless that LH fuel
supply hose was installed by following certain procedures described in
the manufacturer's service bulletin. Finally, AD 2021-05-03 required
modifying your helicopter by removing LH fuel supply hose P/N
704A34416087 from service and installing the improved LH fuel supply
hose P/N 704A34416101. The FAA issued AD 2021-05-03 to prevent
restricted fuel flow to the LH engine, which if not addressed, could
result in a decrease of the LH engine power when accelerating to a
power setting corresponding to One Engine Inoperative power and
subsequent reduced control of the helicopter.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 18, 2023 (88 FR
23586). The NPRM was prompted by European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2022-0087, dated May 16, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0087) which
superseded EASA AD 2021-0156, dated July 2, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0156),
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus
Helicopters Model EC 225 LP helicopters. EASA advises of difficulties
that were reported during installation of the improved LH fuel supply
hose due to using an inappropriately shaped adjusting tool.
Accordingly, EASA AD 2022-0087 retains the requirements of EASA AD
2021-0156 and requires replacing the affected part with the improved
part by following updated modification instructions and using an
improved adjusting tool. The updated modification instructions also
specify updated torque values for the junction nuts and re-tightening
instructions for helicopters modified with previous instructions. EASA
AD 2022-0087 requires a repetitive inspection for fuel leakage for
those helicopters modified with previous instructions and considers the
re-tightening of the junction nuts of the improved part as terminating
action for the repetitive inspection requirements. You may examine EASA
AD 2022-0087 in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2023-0931.
In the NPRM, for helicopters with LH fuel supply hose P/N
704A34416087 installed, the FAA proposed to require visually inspecting
the LH fuel supply hose for twisting, and if needed, borescope
inspecting the entire length of the inside of the fuel supply hose for
twisting. Depending on the inspection results, the NPRM proposed to
require reinstalling or removing the fuel supply hose from service. The
NPRM also proposed to require modifying the helicopter by removing LH
fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416087 from service and installing improved
LH fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416101 using updated procedures.
Additionally, for helicopters modified with the improved LH fuel supply
hose P/N 704A34416101 using previous procedures or if the installation
procedures cannot be determined, the NPRM proposed to
require repetitive inspections for fuel leakage and, depending on the
results, tightening the junction nuts of this improved fuel supply hose
with the LH side engine removed. Tightening the junction nuts would
provide terminating action for the repetitive fuel leakage inspections.
Lastly, the NPRM proposed to require installation limitations for LH
fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416087 and LH fuel supply hose P/N
704A34416101.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI referenced above. 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 products.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. EC225-28A026, Revision 1, dated May 6, 2022 (ASB EC225-28A026 Rev
1), which specifies procedures for modifying the adjusting tool and
replacing the LH fuel supply hose by using the modified adjusting tool.
ASB EC225-28A026 Rev 1 also specifies updated allowable torque limits
for the junction nuts and, for helicopters that have previously
accomplished Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-28A026, Revision 0, dated
May 21, 2021, ASB EC225-28A026 Rev 1 specifies procedures to
repetitively inspect the junction nuts for fuel leakage until the LH
engine is removed and the updated allowable torque limit is applied to
the junction nuts.
This AD also requires Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-71A019,
Revision 2, dated May 21, 2021, which the Director of the Federal
Register approved for incorporation by reference as of January 27, 2022
(86 FR 72824, December 23, 2021).
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 ADDRESSES.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC225-71A019,
Revision 1, dated February 28, 2019. This service information specifies
procedures for removing the fuel supply hose from the LH power plant,
visually inspecting the fuel supply hose for twisting, and depending on
inspection results, performing an endoscope inspection on the inside of
the hose.
Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2022-0087
EASA AD 2022-0087 is applicable to all serial-numbered Model
EC225LP helicopters, whereas this AD applies to Model EC225LP
helicopters with certain part-numbered LH fuel supply hoses installed.
For helicopters modified with LH fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416101
in accordance with previous instructions or by installation of AH
modification 0728745 prior to initial delivery of the helicopter from
the manufacturer, EASA AD 2022-0087 requires re-tightening the junction
nuts to the new torque values during the next (re)installation of the
LH engine or of the improved fuel supply hose, whereas this AD requires
that action within 110 hours time-in-service with the LH side engine
removed for helicopters with LH fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416101
installed with previous instructions, by installation of AH
modification 0728745 prior to initial delivery of the helicopter from
the manufacturer, or if the previously accomplished installation
procedures cannot be determined. Also, for those helicopters, depending
on the interim fuel leakage inspection results, EASA AD 2022-0087
requires corrective action in accordance with approved maintenance
instructions, whereas this AD requires tightening the junction nuts to
the new torque values with the LH engine removed.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects up to 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.
Visually inspecting the LH fuel supply hose for twisting takes
about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and
$2,380 for the U.S. fleet. Borescope inspecting the LH fuel supply hose
takes about 8 work-hours for an estimated cost of $680 per helicopter.
Replacing an LH fuel supply hose takes up to 11 work-hours and
parts cost about $2,363 for an estimated replacement cost of up to
$3,298 per replacement.
Inspecting for fuel leakage takes about 1 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $85 per helicopter, per inspection cycle. Removing
the LH engine and tightening the LH fuel supply hose fittings takes 8
work-hours for an estimated cost of $680 per helicopter.
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
The FAA has determined that 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 2021-05-03, Amendment 39-21864 (86
FR 72824, December 23, 2021); and
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
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