This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

29212 

Vol. 86, No. 103 

Tuesday, June 1, 2021 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0379; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00068–R] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to 

supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

2016–12–51, which applies to all Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS332L2 and Model 

EC225LP helicopters. AD 2016–12–51 

prohibits all further flight of Model 

AS332L2 and Model EC225LP 

helicopters. AD 2016–12–51 was 

prompted by an accident in which the 

main rotor hub detached from the main 

gearbox (MGB). Since the FAA issued 

AD 2016–12–51, the design approval 

holder has developed procedures that 

address failure of the main rotor system. 

This proposed AD would require 

replacing certain second stage planet 

gear assemblies, removing certain 

epicyclic modules, installing a full flow 

magnetic plug (FFMP), revising the 

existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) 

for your helicopter, repetitively 

inspecting the MGB particle detectors, 

repetitively inspecting the MGB oil filter 

and oil cooler, and corrective action if 

necessary, as specified in a European 

Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 

AD, which is proposed for incorporation 

by reference (IBR). The actions specified 

in the proposed AD would terminate the 

flight prohibition. The FAA is proposing 

this AD to address the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by July 16, 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 material that is proposed for IBR 

in this AD, contact the 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 this 

IBR 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 on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0379. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0379; 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 NPRM, any 

comments received, and other 

information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Mahmood Shah, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, 

FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 

Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222– 

5538; email mahmood.g.shah@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–2021–0379; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2021–00068–R’’ 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 amend 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 proposal. 

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 NPRM 

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 NPRM, 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 

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Mahmood Shah, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth 

ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 

Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 

817–222–5538; email 

mahmood.g.shah@faa.gov. Any 

commentary that the FAA receives that 

is not specifically designated as CBI will 

be placed in the public docket for this 

rulemaking. 

Discussion 

The FAA issued AD 2016–12–51, 

Amendment 39–18578 (81 FR 43479, 

July 5, 2016) (AD 2016–12–51), which 

applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model 

AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. AD 

2016–12–51 prohibits all further flight 

of Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L 


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and EC225LP helicopters. The FAA 

issued AD 2016–12–51 to address an 

accident involving an EC225LP 

helicopter in which the main rotor hub 

detached from the MGB. The Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS332L2 helicopter 

has a similar design to the affected 

Model EC225LP helicopter, therefore, 

this model may be subject to the unsafe 

condition revealed on the Model 

EC225LP helicopter. 

Actions Since AD 2016–12–51 Was 

Issued 

Since the FAA issued AD 2016–12– 

51, the design approval holder has 

developed procedures that address 

failure of the main rotor system. These 

procedures terminate the flight 

prohibition required by AD 2016–12–51. 

In addition, after AD 2016–12–51 was 

issued, the FAA issued an Alternate 

Means of Compliance (AMOC) letter 

dated September 7, 2017, which 

addressed the flight prohibition 

required by paragraph (e) of AD 2016– 

12–51. The AMOC letter lifted the flight 

prohibition and allowed operation of 

the affected helicopter models provided 

the conditions specified in the AMOC 

letter were followed, which include 

repetitive inspections that have no 

terminating action. This proposed AD 

includes terminating action for certain 

repetitive inspections. 

The EASA, which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Union, has issued EASA AD 

2017–0134R2, dated April 16, 2020 

(EASA AD 2017–0134R2) (also referred 

to as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or the 

MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 

for all Airbus Helicopters Model 

AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. 

This proposed AD was prompted by 

an accident involving a Model EC225LP 

helicopter in which the main rotor hub 

detached from the MGB. The FAA is 

proposing this AD to address failure of 

the main rotor system, which would 

result in loss of control of the 

helicopter. See the MCAI for additional 

background information. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2017–0134R2 references 

procedures for replacing certain second 

stage planet gear assemblies with 

serviceable parts; removing certain 

epicyclic modules from service; 

modifying the helicopter by installing 

an FFMP; revising the RFM to prohibit 

MGB particle burning in-flight; 

repetitively inspecting the FFMP and 

MGB particle detectors for metal 

particles, analyzing any metal particles 

that are found, and corrective action; 

and repetitively inspecting the MGB oil 

filter and oil cooler for particles and 

corrective action. The corrective actions 

include replacing an affected MGB with 

a serviceable MGB. EASA AD 2017– 

0134R2 also provides terminating action 

for certain repetitive inspections. 

Airbus Helicopters has issued 

Emergency Alert Service Bulletin EC225 

05A049, Revision 6, dated July 25, 2017; 

and Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 

AS 332 05.01.07, Revision 6, dated July 

27, 2017. The service information 

specifies procedures for, among other 

things, replacing the MGB. 

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. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This Proposed AD 

These products have been approved 

by the aviation authority of another 

country, and are approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to the 

bilateral agreement with the State of 

Design Authority, the FAA has been 

notified of the unsafe condition 

described in the MCAI referenced 

above. The FAA is proposing this AD 

after evaluating all the relevant 

information and determining the unsafe 

condition described previously is likely 

to exist or develop in other products of 

these same type designs. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

EASA AD 2017–0134R2 described 

previously, as incorporated by 

reference, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this AD and except as 

discussed under ‘‘Differences Between 

this Proposed AD and the MCAI.’’ 

Explanation of Required Compliance 

Information 

In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to 

improve the efficiency of the AD 

process, the FAA initially worked with 

Airbus and EASA to develop a process 

to use certain EASA ADs as the primary 

source of information for compliance 

with requirements for corresponding 

FAA ADs. The FAA has since 

coordinated with other manufacturers 

and civil aviation authorities (CAAs) to 

use this process. As a result, EASA AD 

2017–0134R2 will be incorporated by 

reference in the FAA final rule. This 

proposed AD would, therefore, require 

compliance with EASA AD 2017– 

0134R2 in its entirety, through that 

incorporation, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this proposed AD. 

Using common terms that are the same 

as the heading of a particular section in 

the EASA AD does not mean that 

operators need comply only with that 

section. For example, where the AD 

requirement refers to ‘‘all required 

actions and compliance times,’’ 

compliance with this AD requirement is 

not limited to the section titled 

‘‘Required Action(s) and Compliance 

Time(s)’’ in the EASA AD. Service 

information specified in EASA AD 

2017–0134R2 that is required for 

compliance with EASA AD 2017– 

0134R2 will be available on the internet 

at https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0379 after the FAA final 

rule is published. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the MCAI 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2017–0134R2 

specifies to return affected planetary 

gear assemblies to the manufacturer for 

module overhaul, this proposed AD 

does not include that requirement. 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2017–0134R2 

specifies that retrofit of the planet gear 

of the MGB can only be done by Airbus 

Helicopters or Airbus Helicopters 

approved repair centers, this proposed 

AD does not include that requirement. 

EASA AD 2017–0134R2 requires 

operators to ‘‘inform all flight crews’’ of 

revisions to the RFM, and thereafter to 

‘‘operate the helicopter accordingly.’’ 

However, this AD would not 

specifically require those actions. 

FAA regulations require pilots to 

follow the procedures in the existing 

RFM including all updates. 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 

airplane 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 airplane in 

such a manner would be unenforceable. 

Interim Action 

The FAA considers this proposed AD 

interim action. If final action is later 

identified, the FAA might consider 

further rulemaking then. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this proposed 

AD affects 28 helicopters of U.S. 

registry. The FAA estimates the 


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following costs to comply with this 

proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS * 

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

New proposed actions .................................. Up to 6 work-hours × $85 per hour = $510 $0 Up to $510 ..... Up to $14,280. 

* Table does not include estimated costs for reporting. 

The FAA estimates that it would take 

about 1 work-hour per product to 

comply with the proposed reporting 

requirement in this proposed AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based 

on these figures, the FAA estimates the 

cost of reporting the inspection results 

on U.S. operators to be $2,380, or $85 

per product. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary on-condition 

actions that would be required based on 

the results of any required actions. The 

FAA has no way of determining the 

number of helicopters that might need 

these on-condition actions: 

ESTIMATED COSTS OF ON-CONDITION ACTIONS

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

40 work-hours × $85 per hour = $3,400 ................................................................................................................. $295,000 $298,400 

According to the manufacturer, some 

or all of the costs of this proposed AD 

may be covered under warranty, thereby 

reducing the cost impact on affected 

operators. The FAA does not control 

warranty coverage for affected operators. 

As a result, the FAA has included all 

known costs in the cost estimate. 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

A federal agency may not conduct or 

sponsor, and a person is not required to 

respond to, nor shall a person be subject 

to penalty for failure to comply with a 

collection of information subject to the 

requirements of the Paperwork 

Reduction Act unless that collection of 

information displays a current valid 

OMB control number. The control 

number for the collection of information 

required by this proposed AD is 2120– 

0056. The paperwork cost associated 

with this proposed AD has been 

detailed in the Costs of Compliance 

section of this document and includes 

time for reviewing instructions, as well 

as completing and reviewing the 

collection of information. Therefore, all 

reporting associated with this proposed 

AD is mandatory. Comments concerning 

the accuracy of this burden and 

suggestions for reducing the burden 

should be directed to Information 

Collection Clearance Officer, Federal 

Aviation Administration, 10101 

Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 

76177–1524. 

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 above, 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 

(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: 

■ a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 

2016–12–51, Amendment 39–18578 (81 

FR 43479, July 5, 2016); and 

■ b. Adding the following new 

airworthiness directive: 

Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0379; Project Identifier MCAI–2021– 

00068–R. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by July 16, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD replaces AD 2016–12–51, 

Amendment 39–18578 (81 FR 43479, July 5, 

2016 (AD 2016–12–51)). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters 

Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters, 

certificated in any category. 


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(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 6320, Main Rotor Gearbox. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by an accident 

involving a Model EC225LP helicopter in 

which the main rotor hub detached from the 

main gearbox. The FAA is issuing this AD to 

address failure of the main rotor system, 

which would result in loss of 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 2017–0134R2, 

dated April 16, 2020 (EASA AD 2017– 

0134R2). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2017–0134R2 

(1) Where EASA AD 2017–0134R2 refers to 

the effective dates specified in paragraphs 

(h)(1)(i) through (v) of this AD, this AD 

requires using the effective date of this AD. 

(i) The effective date of EASA AD 2017– 

0134R2. 

(ii) October 13, 2016 (the effective date of 

EASA AD 2016–0199, dated October 7, 

2016). 

(iii) March 20, 2017 (the effective date of 

EASA AD 2017–0050–E, dated March 17, 

2017). 

(iv) June 30, 2017 (the effective date of 

EASA AD 2017–0111, dated June 23, 2017). 

(v) August 1, 2017 (the effective date of 

EASA AD 2017–0134, dated July 27, 2017). 

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

2017–0134R2 does not apply to this AD. 

(3) Where any service information referred 

to in EASA AD 2017–0134R2 specifies to 

discard certain parts after they have been 

removed from the helicopter, this AD 

requires removing those parts from service. 

(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2017– 

0134R2 specifies to replace a part before 

exceeding the applicable ‘‘new service life 

limit,’’ this AD requires removing that part 

from service. 

(5) Where any service information referred 

to in EASA AD 2017–0134R2 specifies to 

return certain parts to the manufacturer, 

including for overhaul, after they have been 

removed from the helicopter, this AD does 

not include that requirement. 

(6) Where EASA AD 2017–0134R2 refers to 

flight hours (FH), this AD requires using 

hours time-in-service. 

(7) Where any service information referred 

to in EASA AD 2017–0134R2 specifies to 

perform a metallurgical analysis and contact 

the manufacturer if unsure about the 

characterization of the particles collected, 

this AD does require characterization of the 

particles collected, however this AD does not 

require contacting the manufacturer to 

determine the characterization of the 

particles collected. 

(8) Where EASA AD 2017–0134R2 requires 

actions during each ‘‘after last flight’’ of the 

day (ALF) inspection, this AD requires those 

actions before the first flight of each day. 

(9) Where any service information referred 

to in EASA AD 2017–0134R2 specifies to do 

the actions identified in paragraphs (h)(9)(i) 

through (iv) of this AD, this AD does not 

include those requirements. 

(i) Watch a video for removing the grease 

from the full flow magnetic plug (FFMP), 

using a cleaning agent, and collecting 

particles. 

(ii) Return affected planetary gear assembly 

to the manufacturer for module overhaul. 

(iii) Contact the approved repair station/ 

Airbus Helicopters if the reason for a repair 

to an epicyclic module is unknown and 

inform/contact Airbus Helicopters. 

(iv) Contact the approved repair station/ 

Airbus Helicopters depending on who 

performed the last overhaul (RG) to 

determine if a repair has been done on the 

second stage planet gears since new. 

(10) Where any service information 

referred to in EASA AD 2017–0134R2 

specifies that retrofit of the planet gear of the 

main gearbox (MGB) can only be done by 

Airbus Helicopters or Airbus Helicopters 

approved repair centers, this AD does not 

require that the retrofit of the planet gear be 

done only by Airbus Helicopters or Airbus 

Helicopters approved repair centers. For this 

AD the retrofit can also be done by an FAAapproved repair station. 

(11) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 

2017–0134R2 specifies accomplishing the 

FFMP additional work within 3 months after 

August 1, 2017, this AD requires 

accomplishing the FFMP additional work 

within 4 months after the effective date of 

this AD. 

(12) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 

2017–0134R2 specifies to ‘‘inform all flight 

crews and, thereafter, operate the helicopter 

accordingly,’’ this AD does not require those 

actions. 

(13) Where any service information 

referred to in EASA AD 2017–0134R2 

specifies that if any 16NCD13 particles are 

found you are to take a 1-liter sample of oil 

and send it to the manufacturer, this AD does 

not require those actions. 

(14) Where any service information 

referred to in EASA AD 2017–0134R2 

specifies ‘‘Do not resume flights until 

corrective action(s) are agreed by Airbus 

Helicopters,’’ or to contact Airbus 

Helicopters before resuming flights ‘‘if 

further particles are collected during the 

close monitoring period,’’ for this AD, you 

must repair before further flight using a 

method specified in paragraph (h)(14)(i) or 

(ii) of this AD. 

(i) In accordance with FAA approved 

procedures. 

(ii) In accordance with the procedures 

specified in Appendix 4.A., Particle 

Analysis, of Airbus Helicopters Emergency 

Alert Service Bulletin EC225 05A049, 

Revision 6, dated July 25, 2017; or 

Emergency Alert Service Bulletin AS 332 

05.01.07, Revision 6, dated July 27, 2017, as 

applicable, except as required by paragraphs 

(h)(5), (7), and (13) of this AD. 

(15) Where the service information 

identified in EASA AD 2017–0134R2 

specifies to report inspection results to 

Airbus Helicopters, for this AD, report the 

inspection results at the applicable time 

specified in paragraph (h)(15)(i) or (ii) of this 

AD. 

(i) If the inspection was done on or after 

the effective date of this AD: Submit the 

report within 30 days after the date of the 

inspection. 

(ii) If the inspection was done before the 

effective date of this AD: Submit the report 

within 30 days after the effective date of this 

AD. 

(i) Credit for Previous Actions 

(1) This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions specified in paragraph (4) of EASA 

AD 2017–0134R2, if those actions were 

performed before the effective date of this AD 

using Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert 

Service Bulletin AS332 ASB 63.00.83 or 

EC225 ASB 63A030, both Revision 1, both 

dated October 7, 2016. 

(2) Corrective action(s) for the inspections 

required by paragraphs (8) and (10) of EASA 

AD 2017–0134R2 accomplished on a 

helicopter before the effective date of this 

AD, in accordance with Paragraph 3.B. and 

Appendix 4.A. of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of the applicable Airbus 

Helicopters service information specified in 

paragraphs (i)(2)(i) through (viii) of this AD, 

as applicable, are acceptable to comply with 

the requirements of paragraph (11) of EASA 

AD 2017–0134R2 for that helicopter, but only 

for the corrective actions for the inspections 

required by paragraphs (8) and (10) of EASA 

AD 2017–0134R2. 

(i) Emergency Alert Service Bulletin AS332 

ASB 05.01.07, Revision 2, dated October 7, 

2016. 

(ii) Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 

AS332 ASB 05.01.07, Revision 3, dated 

February 25, 2017. 

(iii) Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 

AS332 ASB 05.01.07, Revision 4, dated 

March 17, 2017. 

(iv) Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 

AS332 ASB 05.01.07, Revision 5, dated June 

23, 2017. 

(v) Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 

EC225 05A049, Revision 2, dated October 7, 

2016. 

(vi) Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 

EC225 05A049, Revision 3, dated February 

25, 2017. 

(vii) Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 

EC225 05A049, Revision 4, dated March 17, 

2017. 

(viii) Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 

EC225 05A049, Revision 5, dated June 23, 

2017. 

(j) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits, as described in 14 

CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are prohibited. 

(k) 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 


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Branch, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (l)(2) 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. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) For EASA AD 2017–1034R2, contact the 

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 this 

EASA AD 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. 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–2021–0379. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Mahmood Shah, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 

76177; telephone 817–222–5538; email 

mahmood.g.shah@faa.gov. 

Issued on May 21, 2021. 

Gaetano A. Sciortino, 

Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–11376 Filed 5–28–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0380; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–01683–R] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland 

GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, 

EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, 

EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 

helicopters. This proposed AD was 

prompted by a report that geometrical 

non-conformities were found in the root 

section of the tail rotor blade (TRB). 

This proposed AD would require a onetime inspection (dimensional check) of 

the TRB for conformity and, depending 

on the findings, replacement of certain 

affected parts, as specified in a 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD, which is proposed for 

incorporation by reference (IBR). This 

proposed AD would also prohibit 

rework, repair, or modification of 

affected parts in the affected area of the 

TRB assembly root. The FAA is 

proposing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by July 16, 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 material that is proposed for IBR 

in this AD, contact the 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 this 

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 on the 

internet at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0380. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0380; 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 NPRM, any 

comments received, and other 

information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

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: 

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–2021–0380.; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2020–01683–R’’ 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 amend 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 proposal. 

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 NPRM 

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 NPRM, 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 

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to 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. Any commentary that the FAA 

receives that is not specifically 

designated as CBI will be placed in the 

public docket for this rulemaking. 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS