49912 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

with the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) 

of this AD. 

(3) The actions required by paragraphs 

(g)(1) and (2) of this AD may be performed 

by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least 

a private pilot certificate and must be entered 

into the aircraft records showing compliance 

with this AD in accordance with § 43.9(a)(1) 

through (4) and § 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record 

must be maintained as required by § 91.417, 

§ 121.380, or § 135.439. 

(h) 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 (i)(1) 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. 

(i) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Mitch Soth, Flight Test Engineer, 

Southwest Section, Flight Test Branch, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 

76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

mitch.soth@faa.gov. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

Transport Canada Emergency AD CF–2019– 

16, dated May 6, 2019. You may view the 

Transport Canada AD on the internet at 

https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0497. 

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued on August 26, 2021. 

Gaetano A. Sciortino, 

Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19049 Filed 9–3–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0381; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–01656–E; Amendment 

39–21694; AD 2021–17–11] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce 

Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type 

Certificate Previously Held by RollsRoyce plc) Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG 

(RRD) Trent XWB–75, Trent XWB–79, 

Trent XWB–79B, and Trent XWB–84 

model turbofan engines. This AD was 

prompted by reports of cracks in the 

intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) 

rotor 1 (R1) blades installed on certain 

Trent XWB model turbofan engines. 

This AD requires initial and repetitive 

borescope inspections (BSIs) of the 

affected IPC R1 blades and, depending 

on the results of the inspections, 

replacement of all 34 IPC R1 blades. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective October 12, 

2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of October 12, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate 

Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 

DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: +44 

(0)1332 242424; fax: +44 (0)1332 

249936; website: https://www.rollsroyce.com/contact-us.aspx. You may 

view this service information at the 

FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District 

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (781) 238– 

7759. It is also available at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0381. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0381; 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 mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI), 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: 

Kevin Clark, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District 

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 

(781) 238–7088; fax: (781) 238–7199; 

email: kevin.m.clark@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to certain RRD Trent XWB–75, 

Trent XWB–79, Trent XWB–79B, and 

Trent XWB–84 model turbofan engines. 

The NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on May 28, 2021 (86 FR 28716). 

The NPRM was prompted by reports of 

cracks in the IPC R1 blades installed on 

certain Trent XWB model turbofan 

engines. The NPRM proposed to require 

initial and repetitive BSIs of the affected 

IPC R1 blades and, depending on the 

results of the inspections, replacement 

of all 34 IPC R1 blades with parts 

eligible for installation. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

The European Union Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Community, has issued EASA 

AD 2020–0277, dated December 11, 

2020 (referred to after this as ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to address the unsafe condition 

on these products. The MCAI states: 

Occurrences have been reported of finding 

cracked IPC R1 blades on certain Trent XWB 

engines that were close to their first planned 

refurbishment shop visit. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead 

to blade failure and consequent engine inflight shut-down (IFSD), possibly resulting in 

reduced control of the aeroplane. 

To address this potential unsafe condition 

and avoid dual engine IFSD, Rolls-Royce 

issued the inspection NMSB to provide 

inspection instructions and the NMSB to 

provide information on threshold and 

intervals. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires repetitive inspections of 

the affected parts and, depending on 

findings, accomplishment of applicable 

corrective action(s). 

You may obtain further information 

by examining the MCAI in the AD 

docket at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0381. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 49913 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive Comments 

The FAA received comments from 

two commenters. The commenters were 

Delta Air Lines (Delta) and the Air Line 

Pilots Association, International 

(ALPA). The following presents the 

comments received on the NPRM and 

the FAA’s response to each comment. 

Request To Add a Definition for 

‘‘Affected IPC Blades’’ 

Delta requested that the FAA add a 

definition of ‘‘affected IPC blades’’ to 

paragraph (h) of this AD. Delta reasoned 

that the part number of the affected IPC 

R1 blades was established in paragraph 

(c), Applicability, but not in the 

proposed rule. 

The FAA disagrees with the need to 

add a definition of an affected IPC blade 

to this AD, because paragraph (c), 

Applicability, is part of the proposed 

rule. The FAA clarified paragraph (c), 

Applicability, of this AD, by adding 

‘‘(affected IPC R1 blade).’’ 

Request To Add Clarifying Instructions 

for Repeat BSI 

Delta requested that the FAA add 

language similar to paragraph (g)(1) of 

this AD to paragraph (g)(2) of this AD 

to clarify the instructions for the repeat 

BSI requirement. 

The FAA disagrees. Paragraph (g)(2) 

of this AD instructs the operator to 

repeat the inspection required by 

paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. It is 

unnecessary to add additional 

information to paragraph (g)(2) of this 

AD since the repetitive inspection 

required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD 

is the same as required by paragraph 

(g)(1) of this AD. 

Support for the AD 

The ALPA supported the AD without 

further comment. 

Conclusion 

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 

considered any comments received, 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. Except for minor editorial 

changes and any other changes 

described previously, this AD is 

adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 

None of the changes will increase the 

economic burden on any operator. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Rolls-Royce NonModification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 

Trent XWB 72–K633, Initial Issue, dated 

August 7, 2020. This service 

information specifies procedures for 

performing initial and repetitive BSIs of 

the Trent XWB–75, XWB–79, XWB– 

79B, and XWB–84 IPC R1 blades. 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 reviewed Rolls-Royce Alert 

NMSB Trent XWB 72–AK612, Initial 

Issue, dated July 9, 2020; Rolls-Royce 

Alert NMSB Trent XWB 72–AK613, 

Initial Issue, dated July 17, 2020; and 

Rolls-Royce Alert NMSB Trent XWB 

72–AK632, Initial Issue, dated August 7, 

2020. 

Rolls-Royce Alert NMSB Trent XWB 

72–AK612 describes procedures for 

performing a in-shop BSI of the Trent 

XWB–75, XWB–79, XWB–79B, and 

XWB–84 IPC R1 blades. Rolls-Royce 

Alert NMSB Trent XWB 72–AK613 

describes procedures for performing an 

on-wing BSI of the Trent XWB–75, 

XWB–79, XWB–79B, and XWB–84 IPC 

R1 blades. Rolls-Royce Alert NMSB 

Trent XWB 72–AK632 defines the initial 

inspection threshold and repeat 

inspection intervals for Trent XWB–75, 

XWB–79, XWB–79B, and XWB–84 IPC 

R1 blades. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 15 engines installed on airplanes 

of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

BSI affected IPC R1 blades ............. 6 work-hours × $85 per hour = $510 ............................ $0 $510 $7,650 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary replacements 

that would be required based on the 

results of the mandated inspection. The 

FAA has no way of determining the 

number of aircraft that might need this 

replacement. 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Replacement of IPC blades ........................ 100 work-hours × $85 per hour = $8,500 ..................................... $187,408 $195,908 

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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49914 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

responsibilities among the various 

levels of government. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify 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: 

2021–17–11 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & 

Co KG (Type Certificate previously held 

by Rolls-Royce plc): Amendment 39– 

21694; Docket No. FAA–2021–0381; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2020–01656–E. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective October 12, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Rolls-Royce 

Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate 

previously held by Rolls-Royce plc) Trent 

XWB–75, Trent XWB–79, Trent XWB–79B, 

and Trent XWB–84 model turbofan engines 

with an installed intermediate-pressure 

compressor (IPC) rotor 1 (R1) blade, part 

number (P/N) KH21559 (affected IPC R1 

blade). 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor 

Section. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of cracks 

in the IPC R1 blades installed on certain 

Trent XWB model turbofan engines. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 

the IPC R1 blades. The unsafe condition, if 

not addressed, could result in failure of the 

engine, in-flight shutdown of the engine, and 

loss of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) Within the compliance time specified 

in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, 

perform an initial borescope inspection (BSI) 

of the affected IPC R1 blades using the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 

3.A.(3)(b) and (c) (on-wing) or 3.B.(2)(b) and 

(c) (in-shop), as applicable, of Rolls-Royce 

Non-Modification Service Bulletin Trent 

XWB 72–K633, Initial Issue, dated August 7, 

2020. 

(2) Thereafter, repeat the BSI of the affected 

IPC R1 blades required by paragraph (g)(1) of 

this AD before exceeding 200 engine FCs 

since the last BSI of the IPC R1 blades. 

(3) If, during any inspection required by 

paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, any 

affected IPC R1 blade is found cracked, 

remove all 34 IPC R1 blades from service and 

replace with parts eligible for installation. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g): The FCs specified 

in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD are 

those accumulated by the IPC R1 blade 

having the highest flight cycles in the IPC R1 

blade set since the first installation of the 

blade on an engine. When the FCs of the IPC 

R1 blade set cannot be established, use the 

FCs accumulated by the engine since new. 

(h) Definition 

For the purpose of this AD, a part eligible 

for installation is any IPC R1 blade having P/ 

N KH21559 with zero engine FCs since new, 

any IPC R1 blade having P/N KH21559 that 

has been inspected in accordance with 

paragraph (g)(1) of this AD and a crack was 

not found, or any IPC R1 blade having a P/ 

N not listed in this AD. 

(i) Credit for Previous Actions 

You may take credit for the initial BSI 

required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you 

performed the initial BSI before the effective 

date of this AD using Rolls-Royce Alert NonModification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 

XWB 72–AK612, Initial Issue, dated July 9, 

2020, or Rolls-Royce Alert NMSB Trent XWB 

72–AK613, Initial Issue, dated July 17, 2020, 

as applicable. 

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, ECO 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 certification office, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in Related Information. You may 

email your request to: ANE-AD-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 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Kevin Clark, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District 

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 

238–7088; fax: (781) 238–7199; email: 

kevin.m.clark@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020–0277, dated 

December 11, 2020, for more information. 

You may examine the EASA AD in the AD 

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

searching for and locating Docket No. FAA– 

2021–0381. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 


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Figure 1 to Paragraph (g)(l)-Inspection threshold 

Flight cycles (FCs) since 

new 

Compliance time 

Less than 2,300 FCs since Before exceeding 2,300 FCs since new, or within 50 FCs 

new after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later 

2,300 or more FCs since Within 50 FCs after the effective date of this AD 

new 
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 49915 

(IBR) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Rolls-Royce Non-Modification Service 

Bulletin Trent XWB 72–K633, Initial Issue, 

dated August 7, 2020. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For Rolls-Royce service information 

identified in this AD, contact Rolls-Royce 

plc, Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 31, 

Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom; phone: 

+44 (0)1332 242424; fax: +44 (0)1332 249936; 

website: https://www.rolls-royce.com/ 

contact-us.aspx. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District 

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (781) 238–7759. 

(5) You may view this service information 

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/ 

ibr-locations.html. 

Issued on August 12, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19175 Filed 9–3–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0727; Project 

Identifier AD–2021–00835–R; Amendment 

39–21726; AD 2021–19–08] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Robinson 

Helicopter Company Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Robinson Helicopter Company Model 

R44 and R44 II helicopters. This AD was 

prompted by reports of cracked tail rotor 

blades (blades). This AD requires 

checking each blade for any crack and 

removing any cracked blade from 

service. This AD also requires removing 

all affected blades from service and 

prohibits installing any affected blade 

on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to address the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective September 

22, 2021. 

The FAA must receive comments on 

this AD by October 22, 2021. 

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 service information identified in 

this final rule, contact Robinson 

Helicopter Company, Pete Riedl, 2901 

Airport Drive, Torrance, CA 90505, 

United States; phone: (310) 539–0508; 

email: eng1@robinsonheli.com; website: 

https://robinsonheli.com/. 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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0727; 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 street address for 

the Docket Operations is listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

James Guo, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Section, Los Angeles ACO 

Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 

Lakewood, CA 90712; telephone (562) 

627–5357; email james.guo@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The FAA received reports of spanwise 

cracks found along the leading edge of 

part number (P/N) C029–3 blades, serial 

numbers (S/N) 9410 through 9909. 

These affected blades were factoryinstalled or shipped as spares between 

March and December 2019. The cracks 

were found at different inspection 

intervals ranging from preflight 

inspections to 100-hour inspections. In 

one instance, a cracked blade was 

suspected when the pilot felt abnormal 

vibrations during flight; subsequent 

investigation determined that the blade 

was cracked. The cause of the cracks is 

a manufacturing defect in the properties 

of the blade skin that makes the blades 

prone to stress corrosion cracking. This 

condition, if not addressed, could result 

in reduced controllability and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD 

to address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

FAA’s Determination 

The FAA is issuing this AD because 

the agency has determined the unsafe 

condition described previously is likely 

to exist or develop in other products of 

the same type design. 

Related Service Information 

The FAA reviewed Robinson 

Helicopter Company R44 Service 

Bulletin 

SB–108, dated June 30, 2021. This 

service bulletin specifies removing P/N 

C029–3 blades with S/N 9410 through 

9909 from service. For continued 

operation until the affected blades are 

replaced, the service bulletin specifies a 

preflight inspection to be performed by 

the pilot. 

AD Requirements 

This AD requires, before further flight 

and thereafter before each flight, 

checking blade P/N C029–3 with S/N 

9410 through 9909 inclusive, for any 

crack along the leading edge of the 

blade. An owner/operator (pilot) may 

perform this required check but must 

enter compliance with the applicable 

paragraph of this AD in the helicopter 

maintenance records in accordance with 

14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 

91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may perform this 

check because it involves visually 

checking each blade for a crack. This 

action can be performed equally well by 

a pilot or a mechanic. This check is an 

exception to the FAA’s standard 

maintenance regulations. This AD also 

requires, before further flight, removing 

from service any cracked blade and 

prohibits installing the affected blades 

on any helicopter. Additionally, this AD 

requires, within three months after the 

effective date of this AD, removing all 

affected blades from service. 

Justification for Immediate Adoption 

and Determination of the Effective Date 

Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the 

Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 

U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies 

to dispense with notice and comment 

procedures for rules when the agency, 

for ‘‘good cause,’’ finds that those 


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