Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 28 / Thursday, February 10, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 7685 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

2022–02–19 Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 

39–21916; Docket No. FAA–2021–1012; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2021–00697–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective March 17, 2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, 

EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, 

EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 

helicopters, certificated in any category, as 

identified in European Union Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA) AD 2021–0149, dated June 

21, 2021 (EASA 2021–0149). 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 2510, Flight Compartment Equipment. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

restricted collective lever movement. 

Subsequent inspection determined that the 

emergency flashlight was stuck under that 

lever caused by entanglement of the 

emergency flashlight strap with the cargo 

hook emergency release lever, causing the 

emergency flashlight to leave its seat. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address 

entanglement of the emergency flashlight 

strap with the cargo hook emergency release 

lever. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 

could result in reduced control of the 

helicopter, resulting in damage to the 

helicopter and injury to occupants. 

(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, EASA AD 2021–0149. 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0149 

(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0149 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(2) This AD does not mandate compliance 

with the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2021–0149. 

(i) 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 (j) 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. 

(j) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, 

Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 950 

L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024; 

telephone (202) 267–9167; email hal.jensen@

faa.gov. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2021–0149, dated June 21, 2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA AD 2021–0149, 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 find the 

EASA material on the EASA website at 

https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(4) 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. 

This material may be found in the AD docket 

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

for and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–1012. 

(5) You may view this material that is 

incorporated by reference at the National 

Archives and Records Administration 

(NARA). For information on the availability 

of this material at NARA, email 

fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued on January 18, 2022. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–02752 Filed 2–9–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0887; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00045–R; Amendment 

39–21910; AD 2022–02–13] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 

Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

corrosion found on the external tail 

boom skin, under the Very High 

Frequency (VHF) antenna. This AD 

requires inspecting the tail boom at the 

VHF antenna attachments and 

depending on the results, repairing or 

modifying the tail boom skin, 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 March 17, 

2022. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of March 17, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: For EASA material 

incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 

final rule, contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, 

Germany; telephone +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. For Airbus 


jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with RULES1
7686 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 28 / Thursday, February 10, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 

Helicopters 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 https:// 

www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/ 

technical-support.html. 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. Service 

information that is IBRed is also 

available at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0887. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0887; 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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Gregory Koenig, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe & Administrative Services 

Section, Chicago ACO Branch, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

FAA, 2300 E Devon Ave., Des Plaines, 

IL 60018; telephone (847) 294–7127; 

email Gregory.L.Koenig@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2021–0015, 

dated January 13, 2021 (EASA AD 

2021–0015), to correct an unsafe 

condition for Airbus Helicopters (AH), 

formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, 

Model EC 120 B helicopters. 

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 

EC120B helicopters. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

October 28, 2021 (86 FR 59655). The 

NPRM was prompted by a report of 

corrosion found on the external tail 

boom skin, under the VHF antenna of an 

EC120B helicopter. The NPRM 

proposed to require inspecting the tail 

boom at the VHF antenna attachments 

and depending on the results, repairing 

or modifying the tail boom skin, as 

specified in EASA AD 2021–0015. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to detect 

corrosion in the area of the external tail 

boom skin under the VHF antenna and 

prevent degradation of the tail boom 

structure. The unsafe condition, if not 

addressed, could result in a possible 

roll-over during landing. See EASA AD 

2021–0015 for additional background 

information. 

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 Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2021–0015 requires a onetime inspection of the VHF antenna 

attachments to the tail boom and, 

depending on the results, corrective 

action or modification of the tail boom. 

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. EC120– 

53A017, Revision 1, dated November 

26, 2020. This service information 

specifies procedures for inspecting and 

modifying the VHF antenna attachments 

on the tail boom. 

The FAA also reviewed Airbus 

Helicopters Service Bulletin No. EC120– 

53–018, Revision 0, dated November 26, 

2020. This service information specifies 

procedures for repairing the tail boom if 

there is any corrosion or a crack at the 

VHF antenna attachments. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

Where the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2021–0015 

specifies ‘‘to check for corrosion under 

the VHF antenna base support,’’ this AD 

requires inspecting for corrosion 

because that action must be 

accomplished by a mechanic that meets 

the requirements of 14 CFR part 65 

subpart D. Where the service 

information referenced in EASA AD 

2021–0015 specifies to ‘‘make sure that 

there is no aluminum oxide (white 

powder),’’ ‘‘make sure that there is no 

pitting corrosion,’’ and ‘‘make sure that 

there are no crack,’’ this AD requires 

inspecting for any aluminum oxide 

(white powder), pitting corrosion, and 

cracks instead. Where the service 

information referenced in EASA AD 

2021–0015 specifies discarding parts, 

this AD requires removing those parts 

from service instead. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 89 helicopters of U.S. Registry. 

Labor rates are estimated at $85 per 

work-hour. Based on these numbers, the 

FAA estimates that operators may incur 

the following costs in order to comply 

with this AD. 

Inspecting and modifying each tail 

boom at the VHF attachment takes about 

4 work-hours and parts cost about 

$4,745, for an estimated cost of $5,085 

per helicopter and $452,565 for the U.S. 

fleet. 

If required, repairing the VHF antenna 

attachment at the tail boom takes up to 

15 work-hours and parts cost up to 

$7,812, for an estimated cost of up to 

$9,087 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 

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 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 28 / Thursday, February 10, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 7687 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

2022–02–13 Airbus Helicopters: 

Amendment 39–21910; Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0887; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2021–00045–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective March 17, 2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Model EC120B helicopters, certificated in 

any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 5302, Rotorcraft Tail Boom. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

corrosion found on the external tail boom 

skin of a Model EC120B helicopter under the 

Very High Frequency antenna. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to detect corrosion in that 

area and prevent the degradation of the tail 

boom structure. The unsafe condition, if not 

addressed, could result in possible roll-over 

during landing. 

(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 AD 2021–0015, dated January 

13, 2021 (EASA AD 2021–0015). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0015 

(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0015 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(2) Where the service information 

referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 

2021–0015 specifies to check for corrosion, 

including to ‘‘make sure that there is no 

aluminum oxide (white powder),’’ ‘‘make 

sure that there is no pitting corrosion,’’ and 

‘‘make sure that there are no crack,’’ this AD 

requires inspecting for any aluminum oxide 

(white powder), pitting corrosion, and cracks. 

(3) Where the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2021–0015 specifies 

discarding parts, this AD requires removing 

those parts from service. 

(4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021– 

0015 requires certain actions prior to the 

installation of a tail boom on any helicopter, 

including inspecting the tail boom, for this 

AD, the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of 

this AD also apply to the inspection of the 

tail boom. 

(5) This AD does not mandate compliance 

with the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2021–0015. 

(i) No Reporting Requirement 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2021–0015 specifies 

to submit certain information to the 

manufacturer, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(j) 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 (k) 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. 

(k) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Gregory Koenig, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe & Administrative Services Section, 

Chicago ACO Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 2300 E Devon 

Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 

294–7127; email Gregory.L.Koenig@faa.gov. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2021–0015, dated January 13, 

2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA AD 2021–0015, 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 find the 

EASA material on the EASA website at 

https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(4) 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. 

This material may be found in the AD docket 

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

for and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0887. 

(5) You may view this material that is 

incorporated by reference at the National 

Archives and Records Administration 

(NARA). For information on the availability 

of this material at NARA, email 

fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued on January 11, 2022. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–02749 Filed 2–9–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0964; Project 

Identifier 2018–SW–051–AD; Amendment 

39–21909; AD 2022–02–12] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo 

S.p.a. Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and 

AW139 helicopters. This AD was 

prompted by the identification of 

certain parts needing maintenance 

actions, including life limits and 

maintenance tasks. This AD requires 

incorporating into maintenance records 

requirements (airworthiness 

limitations), as specified in a European 

Aviation Safety Agency (now European 

Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) 


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