This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

3050 

Vol. 87, No. 13 

Thursday, January 20, 2022 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 25 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0775; Notice No. 25– 

21–03–SC] 

Special Conditions: FedEx Express, 

Airbus Model A321–200 Airplanes; 

Installation of an Infrared Laser 

Countermeasure System 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed special 

conditions; withdrawal. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing the 

Notice of Proposed Special Conditions 

that published in the Federal Register 

on January 18, 2022. 

DATES: As of January 20, 2022, the 

notice of proposed special conditions 

published on January 18, 2022, at 87 FR 

2561 is withdrawn. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric 

Peterson, Safety Risk Management 

Section, AIR–633, Policy and 

Innovation Division, Aircraft 

Certification Service, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 2200 South 216th 

Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3413; email 

Eric.M.Peterson@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

On January 18, 2022, the FAA 

published in the Federal Register, 87 FR 

2561, a Notice of Proposed Special 

Conditions No. 25–21–03–SC, Docket 

No. FAA–2021–0775. The published 

proposed special conditions pertain to 

design features for the Airbus Model 

A321–200 airplane. 

Reason for Withdrawal 

The FAA has determined that further 

internal study is necessary with respect 

to the proposed conditions referenced 

above. Therefore, to avoid confusion to 

the public and a comment period on a 

proposal that the agency is not moving 

forward at this time, the FAA is 

withdrawing the notice. 

Conclusion 

The Notice of Proposed Special 

Conditions No. 25–21–03–SC, Docket 

No. FAA–2021–0775, published at 87 

FR 2561, is therefore withdrawn. 

Brandon Roberts, 

Executive Director, Office of Rulemaking. 

[FR Doc. 2022–01123 Filed 1–18–22; 11:15 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0005; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–01062–R] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 

helicopters. This proposed AD was 

prompted by the determination of a 

certain part needing a life limit and reidentification. This proposed AD would 

require re-identifying a certain partnumbered engine-to-main gearbox 

(engine-MGB) coupling shaft, and 

creating a log card or equivalent record, 

as specified in a European Union 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 

which is proposed for incorporation by 

reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing 

this AD to address the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by March 7, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For EASA material that is proposed 

for IBR in this AD, contact the EASA, 

Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 

000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

internet: www.easa.europa.eu. You may 

find the EASA material on the EASA 

website at https://ad.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. This material is 

also available at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2022– 

0005. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0005; 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 

NPRM, the EASA AD, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations is 

listed above. 

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: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites you to send any 

written relevant data, views, or 

arguments about this proposal. Send 

your comments to an address listed 

under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0005; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2021–01062–R’’ at the beginning 

of your comments. The most helpful 

comments reference a specific portion of 

the proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. The FAA will consider 

all comments received by the closing 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 13 / Thursday, January 20, 2022 / Proposed Rules 3051 

date and may amend this proposal 

because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this NPRM. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt 

from public disclosure. If your 

comments responsive to this NPRM 

contain commercial or financial 

information that is customarily treated 

as private, that you actually treat as 

private, and that is relevant or 

responsive to this NPRM, it is important 

that you clearly designate the submitted 

comments as CBI. Please mark each 

page of your submission containing CBI 

as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such 

marked submissions as confidential 

under the FOIA, and they will not be 

placed in the public docket of this 

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to 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. Any 

commentary that the FAA receives that 

is not specifically designated as CBI will 

be placed in the public docket for this 

rulemaking. 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2021–0216, 

dated September 23, 2021 (EASA AD 

2021–0216), to correct an unsafe 

condition for Airbus Helicopters (AH), 

formerly Eurocopter, Model EC 130 T2 

helicopters, all serial numbers. 

This proposed AD was prompted by 

the determination from recent analysis 

related to service life, for the need to 

introduce a service life limit (life limit) 

in torque cycles for engine-MGB 

coupling shaft part number (P/N) 

350A35–1100–21. The FAA is 

proposing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition, which if not corrected could 

lead to fatigue failure of the affected 

part, and loss of control of the 

helicopter. See EASA AD 2021–0216 for 

additional background information. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2021–0216 requires reidentifying each affected engine-MGB 

coupling shaft, by crossing out the old 

P/N and marking the new P/N and serial 

number (S/N), and creating a log card 

indicating the new P/N, S/N, and the 

initial value of accumulated torque 

cycles. EASA AD 2021–0216 also 

prohibits installing an affected engineMGB coupling shaft on any helicopter. 

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 Helicopters 

Alert Service Bulletin No. EC130– 

04A010, dated July 15, 2021 (ASB 

EC130–04A010). This service 

information specifies procedures for reidentifying the engine-MGB coupling 

shaft by crossing out the old P/N and 

marking the new P/N and a new S/N 

using a vibration scriber. ASB EC130– 

04A010 also specifies instructions for 

creating a log card for the engine-MGB 

coupling shaft indicating the new P/N, 

the new S/N, and the number of torque 

cycles. Finally, ASB EC130–04A010 

specifies instructions for calculating the 

number of torque cycles that are 

required to be indicated on the log card. 

FAA’s Determination 

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 is 

proposing this AD after evaluating all 

known relevant information and 

determining that the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop on other helicopters of the same 

type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

EASA AD 2021–0216, described 

previously, as incorporated by 

reference, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this proposed AD and 

except as discussed under ‘‘Differences 

Between this Proposed AD and EASA 

AD 2021–0216.’’ 

Explanation of Required Compliance 

Information 

In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to 

improve the efficiency of the AD 

process, the FAA developed a process to 

use some civil aviation authority (CAA) 

ADs as the primary source of 

information for compliance with 

requirements for corresponding FAA 

ADs. The FAA has been coordinating 

this process with manufacturers and 

CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to 

incorporate EASA AD 2021–0216 by 

reference in the FAA final rule. This 

proposed AD would, therefore, require 

compliance with EASA AD 2021–0216 

in its entirety through that 

incorporation, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this proposed AD. 

Using common terms that are the same 

as the heading of a particular section in 

EASA AD 2021–0216 does not mean 

that operators need comply only with 

that section. For example, where the AD 

requirement refers to ‘‘all required 

actions and compliance times,’’ 

compliance with this AD requirement is 

not limited to the section titled 

‘‘Required Action(s) and Compliance 

Time(s)’’ in EASA AD 2021–0216. 

Service information referenced in EASA 

AD 2021–0216 for compliance will be 

available at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0005 after the FAA final 

rule is published. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and EASA AD 2021–0216 

Service information referenced in 

EASA AD 2021–0216 specifies sending 

certain information to the manufacturer; 

this proposed AD would not. Paragraph 

(1) of EASA AD 2021–0216 specifies a 

compliance time of before exceeding 

660 flight hours or 24 months after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs first. However, this proposed AD 

would require compliance before 

exceeding 660 hours time-in-service or 

24 months after the effective date of this 

proposed AD, whichever occurs first. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 264 

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 proposed AD. 

Re-identifying the engine-MGB 

coupling shaft would take about 4 workhours for an estimated cost of $340 per 

helicopter and up to $89,760 for the 

U.S. fleet. 

Creating a log card or equivalent 

record would take about 1 work-hour for 


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an estimated cost of $85 per log card 

and up to $22,440 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 

The FAA determined that this 

proposed AD would not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Would not affect intrastate 

aviation in Alaska, and 

(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA–2022– 

0005; Project Identifier MCAI–2021– 

01062–R. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by March 7, 

2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters 

Model EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in 

any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6300, Main Rotor Drive System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by the 

determination of a certain part needing a life 

limit and re-identification. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to prevent fatigue failure of 

the engine-to-main gearbox (engine-MGB) 

coupling shaft, which if not corrected, could 

result in loss of control of the helicopter. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Requirements 

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this 

AD: Comply with all required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021–0216, dated 

September 23, 2021 (EASA AD 2021–0216). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0216 

(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0216 requires 

compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD 

requires using hours time-in-service. 

(2) Where EASA AD 2021–0216 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021– 

0216 specifies ‘‘in accordance with the 

instructions of section 3.B of the ASB,’’ for 

this AD replace ‘‘in accordance with the 

instructions of section 3.B of the ASB’’ with 

‘‘in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2. through 

3.B.2.b. of the of the ASB.’’ 

(4) Where Note 1 of the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2021–0216 specifies 

to contact Airbus Helicopters if you have 

more than one non-installed engine-MGB 

coupling shaft, this AD does not require 

contacting Airbus Helicopters. 

(5) Where the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2021–0216 specifies 

to use a vibration scriber to re-identify the 

engine-MGB coupling shaft, this AD allows 

the use of equivalent tooling. 

(6) Where the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2021–0216 specifies 

creating a log card for the engine-MGB 

coupling shaft, this AD requires creating a log 

card or equivalent record. 

(7) This AD does not mandate compliance 

with the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2021–0216. 

(i) No Reporting Requirement 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2021–0216 specifies 

to submit certain information to the 

manufacturer, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(j) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits may be issued in 

accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, 

provided no passengers are onboard. 

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 

AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 

procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In 

accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the International Validation 

Branch, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (l)(2) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) For EASA AD 2021–0216, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 

000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.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. 

This material may be found in the AD docket 

at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 

for and locating Docket No. FAA–2022–0005. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

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. 

Issued on January 10, 2022. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–00884 Filed 1–19–22; 8:45 am] 

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