Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 21549 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0097; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–01115–R; Amendment 

39–22005; AD 2022–08–02] 

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 all 

Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and 

EC155B1 helicopters. This AD was 

prompted by a report of a discrepancy 

in the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) 

where the rotorcraft stay-up flying 

capabilities for Category B operation 

were provided through performance 

data only, not as airworthiness 

limitations that are dependent upon on 

the number of passengers on board. This 

AD requires revising the existing RFM 

for your helicopter, 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 May 17, 

2022. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of May 17, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: For EASA material 

incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 

final rule, contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-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. It is also available in the AD 

docket at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0097. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0097; 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: 

Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance 

& Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 

Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 

11590; phone: (516) 228–7330; email: 

andrea.jimenez@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2021–0225, 

dated October 8, 2021 (EASA AD 2021– 

0225), to correct an unsafe condition for 

all Airbus Helicopters (formerly 

Eurocopter, Eurocopter France) Model 

EC 155 B and EC 155 B1 helicopters. 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to all Airbus Helicopters Model 

EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on February 10, 2022 (87 FR 

7768). The NPRM was prompted by a 

report of a discrepancy in the RFM 

where the rotorcraft stay-up flying 

capabilities for Category B operation 

were provided through performance 

data only, not as airworthiness 

limitations that are dependent upon on 

the number of passengers on board. The 

NPRM proposed to require revising the 

existing RFM for your helicopter, as 

specified in EASA AD 2021–0225. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

a discrepancy in the RFM where the 

rotorcraft stay-up flying capabilities for 

Category B operation were provided 

through performance data only, not as 

airworthiness limitations that are 

dependent upon on the number of 

passengers on board, which could lead 

to an incorrect determination of the 

stay-up flying capabilities, possibly 

resulting in reduced control of the 

helicopter. See EASA AD 2021–0225 for 

additional background information. 

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 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. Except 

for minor editorial changes, this AD is 

adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2021–0225 requires 

amending (revising) the Limitation 

Section of the applicable RFM by 

incorporating new weight limitations 

that are dependent upon the number of 

passengers on board. 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. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

EASA AD 2021–0225 requires 

operators to ‘‘inform all flight crew’’ of 

revisions to the RFM and, thereafter, to 

‘‘operate the helicopter accordingly.’’ 

However, this AD does not specifically 

require those actions. Nonetheless, the 

FAA recommends that flight crews of 

the helicopters listed in the 

applicability be made aware of the flight 

manual changes. 

14 CFR 91.9 requires that no person 

may operate a civil aircraft without 

complying with the operating 

limitations specified in the RFM. 

Therefore, including a requirement in 

this AD to operate the helicopter 

according to the revised RFM would be 

redundant and unnecessary. Further, 

compliance with such a requirement in 

an AD would be impracticable to 

demonstrate or track on an ongoing 

basis; therefore, a requirement to 

operate the helicopter in such a manner 

would be unenforceable. 

This AD allows the owner/operator 

(pilot) holding at least a private pilot 

certificate to revise the existing RFM for 

your helicopter and do the logbook 

entry, whereas EASA AD 2021–0225 

does not specify this. This AD requires 

these actions to be entered into the 

aircraft records showing compliance 

with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 

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

91.417(a)(2)(v), and the record to be 

maintained as required by 14 CFR 

91.417 or 135.439. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
21550 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 18 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 AD. 

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

1 work-hours × $85 per hour = $85 ............................................................................................ $0 $85 $1,530 

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 

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: 

2022–08–02 Airbus Helicopters: 

Amendment 39–22005; Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0097; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2021–01115–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective May 17, 2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters 

Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters, 

certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 7600, Engine Controls. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of a 

discrepancy in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual 

(RFM) where the rotorcraft stay-up flying 

capabilities for Category B operation were 

provided through performance data only, not 

as airworthiness limitations that are 

dependent upon the number of passengers on 

board. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

this discrepancy in the RFM, which could 

lead to an incorrect determination of the stayup flying capabilities, possibly resulting in 

reduced 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 2021–0225, dated 

October 8, 2021 (EASA AD 2021–0225). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0225 

(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0225 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

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

0225 specifies to ‘‘inform all flight crew and, 

thereafter, operate the helicopter 

accordingly,’’ this AD does not require those 

actions. 

(3) This AD does not mandate compliance 

with the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2021–0225. 

(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021– 

0225 specifies an acceptable compliance 

method, replace the text ‘‘which includes 

information of equal effect to that presented’’ 

with ‘‘which includes information identical 

to that presented.’’ 

(5) The action required by paragraphs (1) 

and (2) of EASA AD 2021–0225 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 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through 

(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record 

must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 

91.417 or 135.439. 

(i) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits may be issued in 

accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, 

provided that no passengers are onboard. 

(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 Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart 

Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 21551 

(516) 228–7330; email: andrea.jimenez@

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 2021–0225, dated October 8, 

2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For the EASA AD 2021–0225, contact 

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. 

(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–2022–0097. 

(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 April 4, 2022. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–07709 Filed 4–11–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0096; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–01092–R; Amendment 

39–22004; AD 2022–08–01] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding 

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020–22– 

01 which applied to all Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, 

AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. AD 

2020–22–01 required inspecting the 

affected parts and associated frame 

bores for discrepancies, applicable 

corrective actions, and reporting certain 

information if necessary. This AD was 

prompted by reports of corrosion on 

attachment screws and fittings fastening 

the main gearbox (MGB) suspension 

bars to the fuselage. This AD retains the 

requirements of AD 2020–22–01, adds 

recurring inspections, and updates the 

applicable service information. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective May 17, 

2022. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of May 17, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. 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–2022–0096. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0096; 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 European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (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: 

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: 

Background 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to supersede AD 2020–22–01, 

Amendment 39–21297 (85 FR 69126, 

November 2, 2020) (AD 2020–22–01). 

AD 2020–22–01 applied to all Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, 

AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on February 10, 2022 (87 FR 

7770). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed 

to retain all the requirements of AD 

2020–22–01, and proposed to require 

adding repetitive inspections and 

updating the applicable service 

information. 

The NPRM was prompted by EASA 

AD 2021–0222, dated October 6, 2021 

(EASA AD 2021–0222), issued by 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 

the Member States of the European 

Union, to correct an unsafe condition 

for Airbus Helicopters (AH), formerly 

Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, 

Aerospatiale, Model AS 332 C, AS 332 

C1, AS 332 L, and AS 332 L1 

helicopters, all serial numbers. EASA 

advises a significant number of reports 

were received about corrosion being 

detected on the attachment screws and 

fittings fastening the rear MGB 

suspension bars, right-hand and lefthand side, to the fuselage, and the 

attachment screws and fitting fastening 

the front MGB suspension bar to the 

fuselage. EASA also advises Airbus 

Helicopters issued updated service 

information, which includes 

instructions for repetitive inspections. 

Accordingly, EASA AD 2021–0222 

retains the requirements of EASA AD 

2019–0295, dated December 5, 2019, 

which prompted AD 2020–22–01, and 

adds repetitive inspections and updated 

service information. Additionally, 

Airbus Helicopters advised of a typo in 

the applicable service information in the 

reference to G.2 of one of the work 

cards. Accordingly, the FAA has 

identified this typo in the exceptions in 

the regulatory text of this AD. 

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 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 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES