50224 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

(2) Where EASA AD 2017–0037 refers to 

flight hours (FH), this AD requires using 

hours time-in-service (TIS). 

(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2017– 

0037 requires determining the FH (total 

hours TIS) accumulated by the affected rotor 

mast nut since first installation on a 

helicopter, this AD requires removing the 

rotor mast nut from service before further 

flight if the total hours TIS cannot be 

determined. 

(4) Where the service information 

referenced in Note 3 of EASA AD 2017–0037 

specifies to use a vibrograph to mark the new 

part number, this AD requires using a vibro 

etch. 

(5) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2017– 

0037 requires replacing each affected rotor 

mast nut with a not affected rotor mast nut 

before exceeding 3,708 FH (total hours TIS) 

since first installation on a helicopter, this 

AD requires removing each affected rotor 

mast nut from service before accumulating 

3,708 total hours TIS. 

(6) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2017– 

0037 requires replacing each part as 

identified in Table 2 of EASA AD 2017–0037 

before exceeding the FH (total hours TIS) 

limit, this AD requires removing each part 

from service before exceeding the total hours 

TIS limit. 

(7) Paragraph (7) of EASA AD 2017–0037 

does not apply to this AD. 

(8) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2017–0037 does not apply to this AD. 

(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 Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer, 

Dynamic Systems Section, Technical 

Innovation Policy Branch, Policy & 

Innovation Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 

Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 

(817) 222–5110; email rao.edupuganti@

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 the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) EASA AD 2017–0037, dated February 

22, 2017. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA AD 2017–0037, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 

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

www.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 

on the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0450. 

(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 July 30, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19253 Filed 9–7–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0449; Project 

Identifier 2018–SW–001–AD; Amendment 

39–21679; AD 2021–16–16] 

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 certain 

Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, 

AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, 

AS350B3, and AS350D helicopters; and 

Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, 

AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP 

helicopters. This AD was prompted by 

reports that the lanyards (bead chain 

tethers), which hold the quick release 

pins to the forward bracket assembly of 

certain litter kits, can loop around the 

directional control pedal stubs, limiting 

the movement of the pedals. This AD 

requires modification of the lanyard 

attachment location for certain litter kit 

installations. The FAA is issuing this 

AD to address the unsafe condition on 

these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective October 13, 

2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain document listed in this AD 

as of October 13, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: For 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 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 https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0449. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0449; 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 Transport Canada AD, any 

comments received, and other 

information. The street 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: 

Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance 

& Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 

Stewart Ave., Mail Stop: Room 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 

228–7330; email andrea.jimenez@

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 Airbus Helicopters 

Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, 

AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D 

helicopters; and Model AS355E, 

AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, 

and AS355NP helicopters. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

June 3, 2021 (86 FR 29705). In the 

NPRM, the FAA proposed to require 

modification of the lanyard attachment 

location for certain litter kit 

installations. The NPRM was prompted 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 50225 

by Canadian AD CF–2017–37, dated 

December 19, 2017 (Canadian AD CF– 

2017–37), issued by Transport Canada, 

which is the aviation authority for 

Canada, to correct an unsafe condition 

for Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350 B, 

AS 350 BA, AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 

350 B3, AS 350 D, AS 355 E, AS 355 F, 

AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, AS 355 N, and 

AS 355 NP helicopters. Transport 

Canada advises that there have been 

reports that the lanyards, which hold 

the quick release pins to the forward 

bracket assembly of certain litter kits, 

can loop around the directional control 

pedal stubs, limiting the movement of 

the pedals, which affects the control of 

the flight. If this condition exists and is 

not corrected during installation, this 

limitation may not be apparent until the 

pedal input is required in flight. This 

condition, if not addressed, could result 

in difficulty controlling the helicopter. 

Accordingly, Canadian AD CF–2017– 

37 requires modification of the lanyard 

attachment location for certain litter kit 

installations. Canadian AD CF–2017–37 

also specifies that installation of an 

affected part number litter kit is 

prohibited unless the installation 

conforms to the requirements of Airbus 

Helicopters Service Bulletin SB–AHCA– 

128, Revision 0, dated March 24, 2017. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received no comments on 

the NPRM or on the determination of 

the costs. 

Conclusion 

These helicopters have been approved 

by the aviation authority of Canada and 

are approved for operation in the United 

States. Pursuant to the FAA’s bilateral 

agreement with Canada, Transport 

Canada, its technical representative, has 

notified the FAA of 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. Except 

for minor editorial changes, this AD is 

adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters 

Service Bulletin SB–AHCA–128, 

Revision 0, dated March 24, 2017. This 

service information specifies procedures 

for modifying the bead chain tether 

attachment locations for litter kits with 

certain part numbers. The modification 

includes relocating the bead chain 

tethers by removing the screws and 

washers for the pip pins on the forward 

bracket assembly; filling the empty 

holes with rivets; determining the new 

locations of and drilling new holes; and 

securing the bead chain tethers on the 

top side of the forward bracket assembly 

in the new hole locations. 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. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

Transport Canada AD 

This AD requires a pre-flight check 

prior to each flight to determine if there 

is interference between the lanyards that 

hold the quick release pins to the 

forward bracket assembly of the litter kit 

and the flight controls. This pre-flight 

check requirement will be terminated 

upon completion of the modification of 

the litter kit installation. Canadian AD 

CF–2017–37 does not include a 

requirement for the pre-flight check 

prior to each flight to determine if there 

is interference between the lanyards and 

the flight controls. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 967 helicopters 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 

Pre-flight check for lanyard interference.0.5 work-hour × $85 per hour 

= $42.50 per inspection 

cycle.

$0 $42.50 per inspection cycle ... $41,097.50 per inspection 

cycle. 

Modification of lanyard attachment location.1 work-hour × $85 per hour = 

$85.

0 $85 ......................................... $82,195. 

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 helicopters 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 

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. 


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50226 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

2021–16–16 Airbus Helicopters: 

Amendment 39–21679; Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0449; Project Identifier 

2018–SW–001–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective October 13, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, 

AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D 

helicopters; and Model AS355E, AS355F, 

AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP 

helicopters, certificated in any category, with 

litter kits installed having any part number 

specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of 

this AD: 

(1) Part number (P/N) 350–200034 (lefthand litter kit). 

(2) P/N 350–200194 (left-hand litter kit). 

(3) P/N 350–200144 (right-hand litter kit). 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6700, Rotorcraft Flight Control. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports that the 

lanyards (bead chain tethers), which hold the 

quick release pins to the forward bracket 

assembly of certain litter kits, can loop 

around the directional control pedal stubs, 

limiting the movement of the pedals, which 

affect the control of the flight. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address interference 

between the litter kit lanyards and the flight 

controls. The unsafe condition, if not 

addressed, could result in limited flight 

control movement and difficulty controlling 

the helicopter. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) For litter kits having any part specified 

in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD: 

Prior to each flight until the modification 

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

accomplished, do a pre-flight check to 

determine if there is interference (e.g. limited 

movement of the pedals due to the lanyards 

that hold the quick release pins to the 

forward bracket assembly being looped 

around the directional control pedal stubs) 

between the lanyards that hold the quick 

release pins to the forward bracket assembly 

and the pedals. If interference is found, 

before further flight, do the modification 

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

the affected litter kit. The pre-flight check 

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. 

(2) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) 

after the effective date of this AD, modify the 

attachment location of the lanyard for litter 

kits having any part specified in paragraphs 

(c)(1) through (3) of this AD. Do the 

modification in accordance with paragraph 

3.B.2., ‘‘Procedure,’’ of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Helicopters Service 

Bulletin SB–AHCA–128, Revision 0, dated 

March 24, 2017. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g): Litter kits, P/N 

350–200034 and P/N 350–200194, may have 

been installed under supplemental type 

certificate (STC) SR00406NY (for Model 

AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, 

AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters) or STC 

SR00407NY (for Model AS350B, AS350BA, 

AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D 

helicopters). Litter kit P/N 350–200144 may 

have been installed under STC SR00458NY 

(for Model AS350BA, AS350B2, and 

AS350B3 helicopters). 

(h) Parts Installation Limitation 

As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install a litter kit having a part 

number identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 

through (3) of this AD, on any helicopter, 

unless the installation is modified as 

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

(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)(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. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) 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., Mail Stop: Room 410, Westbury, NY 

11590; telephone (516) 228–7330; email 

andrea.jimenez@faa.gov. 

(2) For information about AMOCs, contact 

the Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 

Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; 

email 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(3) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

Transport Canada AD CF–2017–37 dated 

December 19, 2017. You may view the 

Transport Canada AD at https://

www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA– 

2021–0449. 

(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 the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin SB– 

AHCA–128, Revision 0, dated March 24, 

2017. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) 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. 

(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. 

(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 July 30, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19252 Filed 9–7–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0379; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00068–R; Amendment 

39–21667; AD 2021–16–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding 

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016–12– 

51, which applied to all Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS332L2 and Model 

EC225LP helicopters. AD 2016–12–51 

prohibited all further flight of Model 

AS332L2 and Model EC225LP 

helicopters. This AD requires replacing 

certain second stage planet gear 

assemblies, removing certain epicyclic 

modules, installing a full flow magnetic 

plug (FFMP), revising the existing 


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