Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Proposed Rules 49937 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–0904; Project 

Identifier 2019–SW–041–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (SNPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA is revising a 

supplemental notice of proposed 

rulemaking SNPRM that applied to 

certain Airbus Helicopters Model 

EC225LP helicopters. This action 

revises the SNPRM by proposing to 

require the installation of an improved 

part, which would also provide a 

terminating action for the proposed 

requirements. The FAA is proposing 

this airworthiness directive (AD) to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. Since these actions would 

impose an additional burden over those 

in the SNPRM, the agency is requesting 

comments on this SNPRM. 

DATES: The comment period for the 

SNPRM published in the Federal 

Register on May 10, 2021 (86 FR 24783) 

is reopened. 

The FAA must receive comments on 

this SNPRM 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 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this SNPRM, 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 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–2020–0904; or in person at Docket 

Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. The AD docket contains the 

first SNPRM, this SNPRM, the European 

Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 

AD 2021–0156, any comments received, 

and other information. The street 

address for Docket Operations is listed 

above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hal 

Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, Operational 

Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 

L’Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 

20024; telephone (202) 267–9167; email 

hal.jensen@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–2020–0904; Project Identifier 

2019–SW–041–AD’’ 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 

date and may again revise 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 proposed 

AD. 

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 SNPRM 

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 SNPRM, 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 SNPRM. Submissions containing 

CBI should be sent to Hal Jensen, 

Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety 

Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, FAA, 950 L’Enfant Plaza N 

SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone 

(202) 267–9167; email hal.jensen@

faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA 

receives which is not specifically 

designated as CBI will be placed in the 

public docket for this rulemaking. 

Background 

The FAA issued an SNPRM to amend 

14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that 

would apply to Airbus Helicopters 

Model EC225LP helicopters, with a lefthand side (LH) engine fuel supply (fuel 

supply) hose part number (P/N) 

704A34416087 installed. The SNPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

May 10, 2021 (86 FR 24783). In the 

SNPRM, the FAA proposed to require 

visually inspecting the LH fuel supply 

hose P/N 704A34416087 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 SNPRM 

would require reinstalling or removing 

the fuel supply hose from service. 

Additionally, the SNPRM would 

prohibit installing a certain partnumbered LH fuel supply hose on any 

helicopter unless that LH fuel supply 

hose is installed by following certain 

procedures described in the 

manufacturer’s service bulletin. 

The SNPRM was prompted by EASA 

AD 2019–0092, dated April 26, 2019 

(EASA AD 2019–0092), issued by 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 

the Member States of the European 

Union, to correct an unsafe condition 

for Airbus Helicopters (formerly 

Eurocopter) Model EC 225 LP 

helicopters, all serial numbers. EASA 

advised that an occurrence was reported 

where during an in-flight single engine 

power check, the LH side engine 

experienced a power loss. EASA stated 

that a subsequent investigation 

determined that the fuel flow to the 

affected engine was restricted by a 

twisted fuel supply hose. EASA stated 

that this condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to a decrease of 

the LH engine power when accelerating 

to the power setting corresponding to 

OEI power, and subsequent reduced 

control of the helicopter. 


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49938 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Proposed Rules 

Accordingly, EASA AD 2019–0092 

required a one-time visual inspection of 

the fuel supply hose and depending on 

the inspection results, removing from 

service or replacing the affected part. 

EASA AD 2019–0092 also introduced 

re-installation requirements for a fuel 

supply hose that is being replaced or 

reinstalled. 

Actions Since the SNPRM Was Issued 

Since the SNPRM was issued, EASA 

issued AD 2021–0156, dated July 2, 

2021 (EASA AD 2021–0156), which 

supersedes EASA AD 2019–0092. EASA 

advises that Airbus Helicopters has 

developed an improved fuel supply 

hose P/N 704A34416101 and 

modification instructions to install the 

improved part. Accordingly, EASA AD 

2021–0156 retains the requirements of 

EASA AD 2019–0092 and requires 

replacing the affected part with the 

improved part. EASA AD 2021–0156 

also allows a terminating action for the 

inspection requirements once the 

improved part has been installed 

according to the installation 

requirements. Consequently, the FAA is 

revising the SNPRM to propose 

requiring installation of the improved 

part which would provide a terminating 

action for the previously proposed 

inspections. 

Comments 

The FAA received no comments on 

the first SNPRM or on the determination 

of the cost. 

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 determining the 

unsafe condition described previously is 

likely to exist or develop in other 

helicopters of these same type designs. 

Certain changes described above expand 

the scope of the first SNPRM. As a 

result, it is necessary to reopen the 

comment period to provide additional 

opportunity for the public to comment 

on this SNPRM. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters 

Alert Service Bulletin No. EC225– 

71A019, Revision 2, dated May 21, 

2021, which 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. This service 

information also specifies procedures 

required to install the improved fuel 

supply hose. 

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 the ADDRESSES section. 

Other Related Service Information 

The FAA also reviewed Airbus 

Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 

EC225–71A019, Revision 1, dated 

February 28, 2019, which also specifies 

procedures for removing the fuel supply 

hose, visually inspecting the fuel supply 

hose for twisting, performing an 

endoscope inspection on the inside of 

the hose, and specifies procedures 

required to install a serviceable fuel 

supply hose. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

SNPRM 

For helicopters with a certain partnumbered LH fuel supply hose 

installed, this proposed AD would 

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, this proposed AD would require 

reinstalling or removing the fuel supply 

hose from service. Additionally, this 

proposed AD would prohibit installing 

a certain part-numbered LH fuel supply 

hose on any helicopter unless that LH 

fuel supply hose is installed by 

following certain procedures described 

in the manufacturer’s service bulletin. 

Finally, this proposed AD would require 

modifying your helicopter by removing 

from service LH fuel supply hose P/N 

704A34416087 and installing the 

improved LH fuel supply hose P/N 

704A34416101. This modification 

would provide terminating action for 

the proposed inspection requirements. 

Differences Between This SNPRM and 

EASA AD 2021–0156 

EASA AD 2021–0156 requires 

compliance within 110 flight hours or 6 

months, whichever occurs first after the 

effective date of EASA AD 2019–0092, 

while this proposed AD would require 

compliance within 110 hours time-inservice after the effective date of this 

AD. EASA AD 2021–0156 requires 

reporting information to Airbus 

Helicopters if the LH fuel supply hose 

is twisted on the inside, while this 

proposed AD would not. Additionally, 

EASA AD 2021–0156 is applicable to all 

serial-numbered EC225LP helicopters, 

whereas this proposed AD would apply 

to EC225LP helicopters with a certain 

LH fuel supply hose installed. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 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 proposed AD. 

Visually inspecting the LH fuel 

supply hose for twisting would take 

about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost 

of $85 per helicopter and $2,380 for the 

U.S. fleet. 

Replacing a LH fuel supply hose 

would take about 8 work-hours and 

parts would cost about $2,363 for an 

estimated replacement cost of $3043 per 

replacement. 

Borescope inspecting the LH fuel 

supply hose would take about 8 workhours 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 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, 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 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Proposed Rules 49939 

(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–2020– 

0904; Project Identifier 2019–SW–041– 

AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) action by 

October 22, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Model EC225LP helicopters, certificated in 

any category, with a left-hand side (LH) 

engine fuel supply (fuel supply) hose part 

number (P/N) 704A34416087 installed. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 2820, Aircraft Fuel Distribution 

System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of an 

incorrect installation of the LH fuel supply 

hose P/N 704A34416087. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to prevent restricted fuel flow to the 

LH engine. The unsafe condition, 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. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) 

after the effective date of this AD, visually 

inspect the LH fuel supply hose for twisting 

as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of Airbus 

Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 

EC225–71A019, Revision 2, dated May 21, 

2021 (ASB EC225–71A019 Rev 2). If the LH 

fuel supply hose has any twisting, before 

further flight, borescope inspect the entire 

length of the inside of the fuel supply hose 

for twisting as shown in Figures 3 through 5 

of ASB EC225–71A019 Rev 2. 

(i) If the inside of the LH fuel supply hose 

has any twisting, before further flight, remove 

the LH fuel supply hose from service and 

install an airworthy LH fuel supply hose by 

following the Accomplishment Instructions, 

paragraph 3.B.3.b, of ASB EC225–71A019 

Rev 2. 

(ii) If the LH fuel supply hose does not 

have any twisting, reinstall the LH fuel 

supply hose by following the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

3.B.3.b, of ASB EC225–71A019 Rev 2. 

(2) Within 1,200 hours TIS after the 

effective date of this AD, modify your 

helicopter by removing from service LH fuel 

supply hose P/N 704A34416087 and 

installing the improved LH fuel supply hose 

P/N 704A34416101 in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

3.B.3.b, of ASB EC225–71A019 Rev 2. 

(3) As of the effective date of this AD, do 

not install an LH fuel supply hose P/N 

704A34416087 on any helicopter unless it is 

installed by following the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraph 3.B.3.b, of ASB 

EC225–71A019 Rev 2. 

(h) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this 

AD, if those actions were performed before 

the effective date of this AD using Airbus 

Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 

EC225–71A019, Revision 1, dated February 

28, 2019. 

(i) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits may be permitted 

provided that there are no passengers on 

board. 

(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)(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. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L’Enfant 

Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; 

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

faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, 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 

referenced 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. 

(3) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2021–0156, dated July 2, 2021. 

You may view the EASA AD on the internet 

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

FAA–2020–0904. 

Issued on August 26, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19036 Filed 9–3–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0732; Airspace 

Docket No. 21–AGL–29] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Proposed Amendment of Class E 

Airspace; Galesburg, IL 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

amend the Class E airspace at 

Monmouth Municipal Airport, 

Monmouth, IL, contained within the 

Galesburg, IL, airspace legal description. 

The FAA is proposing this action as the 

result of airspace reviews caused by the 

decommissioning of the Galesburg very 

high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional 

range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal 

Operational Network (MON) Program. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before October 22, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 

366–9826, or (800) 647–5527. You must 

identify FAA Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0732/Airspace Docket No. 21–AGL–29 

at the beginning of your comments. You 

may also submit comments through the 


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