31612 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 15, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2017–1036; Product 

Identifier 2018–SW–015–AD; Amendment 

39–21593; AD 2021–12–06] 

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 Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS–365N2, AS 365 

N3, SA–365N, and SA–365N1 

helicopters. This AD requires replacing 

the main gearbox (MGB), or as an 

alternative, replacing the epicyclic 

reduction gear module for certain serial 

numbered planet gear assemblies 

installed on the MGB. This AD also 

requires inspecting the MGB magnetic 

plugs and oil filter for particles. 

Depending on the outcome of the 

inspections, this AD requires further 

inspections and replacing certain parts. 

This AD was prompted by failure of an 

MGB second stage planet gear. The FAA 

is issuing this AD to correct an unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective July 20, 

2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain documents listed in this AD 

as of July 20, 2021. 

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 

the referenced service information at the 

FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood 

Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 

76177. Service information that is 

incorporated by reference is also 

available at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2017–1036. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2017–1036; 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 Aviation Safety 

Agency (now European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency) (EASA) 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: Rao 

Edupuganti, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Dynamic Systems Section, Technical 

Innovation Policy Branch, FAA, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 

telephone 817–222–5110; email 

rao.edupuganti@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA 

issued a notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 

adding an AD that would apply to 

Airbus Helicopters Model AS–365N2, 

AS 365 N3, SA–365N, and SA–365N1 

helicopters, with at least one Type X or 

Y planet gear assembly with a serial 

number (S/N) listed in Appendices 4.A. 

through 4.B of Airbus Helicopters Alert 

Service Bulletin ASB No. AS365– 

05.00.78, Revision 3, dated March 2, 

2018 (ASB AS365–05.00.78), installed 

on the MGB. The NPRM published in 

the Federal Register on August 7, 2020 

(85 FR 47925). In the NPRM, the FAA 

proposed to require replacing the MGB 

before further flight for helicopters with 

a Type X planet gear assembly with a 

certain S/N installed. The NPRM also 

proposed to require, for helicopters with 

no Type X planet gear assembly 

installed but at least one Type Y planet 

gear assembly with a certain S/N 

installed, replacing the MGB within 300 

hours time-in-service (TIS) or before any 

planet gear assembly accumulates 1,300 

hours TIS since new, whichever occurs 

first. As an alternative to replacing the 

MGB, the NPRM proposed to allow 

replacing the epicyclic reduction gear 

module in the affected MGB. 

The NPRM also proposed to prohibit 

installing an MGB with Type Y or Type 

X planet gear assembly installed on any 

helicopter. Finally, the NPRM proposed 

to require, within 10 hours TIS and 

thereafter before the first flight of the 

day or at intervals not to exceed 10 

hours TIS, whichever occurs first, 

inspecting the lower MGB magnetic 

plugs for particles. If there are particles, 

the NPRM proposed to require replacing 

the MGB depending on the type and the 

size of particles. The NPRM was 

prompted by EASA AD 2017–0116, 

Revision 2, dated March 2, 2018, (EASA 

AD 2017–01162R2), issued by EASA, 

which is the Technical Agent for the 

Member States of the European Union, 

to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS 365 N2, AS 365 

N3, SA 365 N, and SA 365 N1 

helicopters. EASA advises that after an 

accident on a Model EC225 helicopter, 

an investigation revealed the failure of 

a second stage planet gear of the MGB. 

EASA states that one of the two types 

of planet gear assemblies used in the 

MGB epicyclic module is subject to 

higher outer race contact pressures and 

therefore is more susceptible to spalling 

and cracking. Airbus Helicopters 

reviewed its range of helicopters with 

regard to this issue and provided 

instructions to improve the reliability of 

the installed MGB. 

Accordingly, EASA AD 2017– 

01162R2 requires repetitive inspections 

of the MGB magnetic plugs and 

corrective action if any particles are 

detected. EASA AD 2017–01162R2 also 

requires, if certain MGB planet gear 

assemblies are installed, replacing the 

planet gear assemblies. Finally, EASA 

AD 2017–01162R2 prohibits installing 

an MGB with a Type X or Type Y planet 

gear assembly on any helicopter. 

After the NPRM was issued, the FAA 

discovered that the proposed 

applicability was limited to helicopters 

with at least one affected assembly 

installed on the MGB, whereas all 

Airbus Helicopters Model AS–365N2, 

AS 365 N3, SA–365N, and SA–365N1 

helicopters, regardless of the assembly, 

are subject to the unsafe condition and 

require repetitive inspections of the 

MGB magnetic plugs for particles. The 

FAA also determined that any special 

flight permits would be limited to 

flights with no passengers on board. 

Therefore, the FAA issued a 

supplemental notice of proposed 

rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to all Airbus Helicopters Model 

AS–365N2, AS 365 N3, SA–365N, and 

SA–365N1 helicopters. The SNPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

March 22, 2021 (86 FR 15143). The 

SNPRM maintained the proposed 

corrective actions from the NPRM as 

follows, but no longer limited the 

applicability to only certain helicopters: 

• Before further flight, for helicopters 

with a Type X planet gear assembly 

with a certain S/N installed, replacing 

the MGB. 

• For helicopters with no Type X 

planet gear assembly installed but at 

least one Type Y planet gear assembly 

with a certain S/N installed, replacing 

the MGB within 300 hours TIS or before 

any planet gear assembly accumulates 

1,300 hours TIS since new, whichever 

occurs first. 

• As an alternative to replacing the 

MGB, the SNPRM proposed to allow 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 15, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 31613 

replacing the epicyclic reduction gear 

module in the affected MGB. 

The SNPRM also proposed to: 

• Prohibit installing an MGB with 

Type Y or Type X planet gear assembly 

installed on any helicopter. 

• Require, within 10 hours TIS and 

thereafter before the first flight of the 

day or at intervals not to exceed 10 

hours TIS, whichever occurs first, 

inspecting the lower MGB magnetic 

plugs for particles and, if there are 

particles, replacing the MGB, depending 

on the type and the size of those 

particles. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received no comments on 

the SNPRM or on the determination of 

the costs. 

Conclusion 

The helicopters 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. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

Airbus Helicopters has issued ASB 

AS365–05.00.78 for Model SA–365N, 

SA–365N1, AS–365N2, and AS 365 N3 

helicopters. This service information 

specifies performing periodic 

inspections of the MGB magnetic plugs 

for particles. This service information 

also specifies identifying the type of 

gear assembly installed in the MGB and 

replacing any Type X assembly within 

50 hours TIS. For Type Y gear 

assemblies, the service information 

requires replacing the assembly within 

50 hours TIS or within 300 hours TIS, 

depending on the time since new. The 

service information specifies Type Z 

gear assemblies should be left as is. 

Airbus Helicopters has also issued 

Service Bulletin SB No. AS365– 

63.00.21, Revision 3, dated July 26, 

2018, for Model AS365 helicopters. This 

service information contains procedures 

for replacing the MGB epicyclic 

reduction gear as an option to replacing 

the MGB. 

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 

EASA AD 

The EASA AD requires a 50-hour or 

300-hour TIS compliance time or by 

June 30, 2019, whichever occurs first, to 

determine the type of planet gear 

installed in the MGB, and depending on 

the outcome, to replace the MGB; the 

compliance time for this AD is based 

only on hours TIS or before further 

flight. The EASA AD allows a pilot to 

inspect the MGB magnetic plugs for 

particles; this AD does not. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 34 helicopters of U.S. Registry 

and that operators may incur the 

following costs in order to comply with 

this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 

per work-hour. Inspecting the magnetic plugs and oil 

filter for particle deposits will take 

about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost 

of $85 per helicopter per inspection 

cycle. Replacing an MGB will take about 42 

work-hours for cost of $3,570 and parts 

will cost about $295,000 (overhauled) 

for a total cost of $298,570 per 

helicopter. Replacing the epicyclic reduction gear 

will take about 56 work-hours for an 

estimated cost of $4,760 and parts will 

cost about $11,404 for a total cost of 

$16,164 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 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

2021–12–06 Airbus Helicopters: 

Amendment 39–21593; Docket No. 

FAA–2017–1036; Product Identifier 

2018–SW–015–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This airworthiness directive (AD) applies 

to Airbus Helicopters Model AS–365N2, AS 

365 N3, SA–365N, and SA–365N1 

helicopters, certificated in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

failure of a main gearbox (MGB) planet gear 

assembly. This condition could result in 

failure of the MGB and subsequent loss of 

helicopter control. 

(c) Affected ADs 

None. 

(d) Effective Date 

This AD is effective July 20, 2021. 

(e) Compliance 

You are responsible for performing each 

action required by this AD within the 

specified compliance time unless it has 

already been accomplished prior to that time. 

(f) Required Actions 

(1) For helicopters with at least one Type 

X planet gear assembly with a serial number 

(S/N) listed in Appendix 4.A. of Airbus 

Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB No. 

AS365–05.00.78, Revision 3, dated March 2, 

2018 (ASB AS365–05.00.78) installed on the 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
31614 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 15, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

main gearbox (MGB), before further flight, 

replace the MGB or as an alternative to 

replacing an affected MGB, replace the 

epicyclic reduction gear module Post 

Modification (MOD) 0763C52 in the affected 

MGB in accordance with paragraph 3.B.2 of 

the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Helicopters Service Bulletin SB No. AS365– 

63.00.21, Revision 3, dated July 26, 2018 (SB 

AS365–63.00.21), except you are not required 

to contact Airbus Helicopters. 

(2) For helicopters without any Type X 

planet gear assembly installed but with at 

least one Type Y planet gear assembly with 

an S/N listed in Appendix 4.B. of ASB 

AS365–05.00.78 installed on the MGB, 

within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS), or 

before any gear accumulates 1,300 hours TIS 

since new, whichever occurs first, replace the 

MGB or as an alternative to replacing the 

MGB, replace the epicyclic reduction gear 

module MOD 0763C52 in the affected MGB 

in accordance with paragraphs 3.B.2. of the 

Accomplishment Instructions of SB AS365– 

63.00.21, except you are not required to 

contact Airbus Helicopters. 

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

not install an MGB with a Type X or Type 

Y gear assembly with an S/N listed in 

Appendix 4.A. or 4.B. of ASB AS365– 

05.00.78 installed on the MGB, on any 

helicopter. 

(4) For all helicopters, within 10 hours TIS 

and thereafter before the first flight of the day 

or at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, 

whichever occurs first, inspect the lower 

MGB magnetic plugs for particles. 

(i) If there are particles that consist of any 

scale, flake, or splinter, or particles other 

than cotter pin fragments, pieces of lock wire, 

swarf, abrasion, or miscellaneous nonmetallic waste and the planet gear assembly 

has logged less than 50 hours TIS since new, 

inspect the MGB plugs for particles before 

further flight and inspect the oil filter for 

particles within 5 hours TIS. Thereafter, for 

25 hours TIS, continue to inspect the MGB 

plugs for particles before each flight, inspect 

the oil filter for particles at intervals not to 

exceed 5 hours TIS, and perform the actions 

required by paragraphs (f)(4)(ii)(A) through 

(B) of this AD. 

(ii) If there are particles that consist of any 

scale, flake, or splinter, or particles other 

than cotter pin fragments, pieces of lock wire, 

swarf, abrasion, or miscellaneous nonmetallic waste and the planet gear assembly 

has logged more than 50 hours TIS since 

new, inspect the cumulative surface area of 

the particles collected from both the 

magnetic plug and the oil filter, since last 

MGB overhaul or since new if no overhaul 

has been performed. 

(A) If the total surface area of the particles 

is less than 3 mm2, examine the particles 

with largest surface area (S), longest particle 

length (L) and thickest particles (e). 

(1) If largest surface area (S) of a particle 

is less than 1 mm2, the L is less than 1.5 mm, 

and the e is less than 0.2 mm, inspect the 

MGB plugs for particles before further flight 

and inspect the oil filter for particles within 

5 hours TIS. Thereafter, for 25 hours TIS, 

continue to inspect the MGB plugs for 

particles before each flight, inspect the oil 

filter for particles at intervals not to exceed 

5 hours TIS, and perform the actions required 

by paragraphs (f)(4)(ii)(A) through (B) of this 

AD. 

(2) If largest particle size (S) is greater than 

1 mm2, the L is greater than 1.5 mm, or the 

e is greater than 0.2 mm, perform a 

metallurgical analysis for any 16NCD13 

particles using a method in accordance with 

FAA-approved procedures. 

(3) If there are any 16NCD13 particles, 

replace the MGB with an airworthy MGB. 

(4) If there are no 16NCD13 particles, 

inspect the MGB plugs for particles before 

further flight and inspect the oil filter for 

particles within 5 hours TIS. Thereafter, for 

25 hours TIS, continue to inspect the MGB 

plugs for particles before each flight, inspect 

the oil filter for particles at intervals not to 

exceed 5 hours TIS, and perform the actions 

required by paragraphs (f)(4)(ii)(A) through 

(B) of this AD. 

(B) If the total surface area of collected 

particles is greater than or equal to 3 mm2, 

before further flight, perform a metallurgical 

analysis for any 6NCD13 particles using a 

method in accordance with FAA-approved 

procedures. 

(1) If there are any 16NCD13 particles, 

before further flight, replace the MGB with an 

airworthy MGB. 

(2) If there are no 16NCD13 particles, 

inspect the MGB plugs for particles before 

further flight and inspect the oil filter for 

particles within 5 hours TIS. Thereafter, for 

25 hours TIS, continue to inspect the MGB 

plugs for particles before each flight, inspect 

the oil filter for particles at intervals not to 

exceed 5 hours TIS, and perform the actions 

required by paragraphs (f)(4)(ii)(A) through 

(B) of this AD. 

(g) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits may be permitted 

provided that there are no passengers on 

board. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 

AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 

procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In 

accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the International Validation 

Branch, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(i) Additional Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Dynamic Systems Section, 

Technical Innovation Policy Branch, FAA, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 

76177; telephone 817–222–5110; email 

rao.edupuganti@faa.gov. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency (now 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency) 

(EASA) AD 2017–0116R2, dated March 2, 

2018.You may view the EASA AD at https:// 

www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA– 

2017–1036. 

(j) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6300, Main Rotor Drive System. 

(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 Alert Service 

Bulletin ASB No. AS365–05.00.78, Revision 

3, dated March 2, 2018. 

(ii) Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin SB 

No. AS365–63.00.21, Revision 3, dated July 

26, 2018. 

(3) For Airbus Helicopters service 

information identified in this AD, 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. 

(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: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: 

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ 

ibr-locations.html. 

Issued on May 27, 2021. 

Ross Landes, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–12461 Filed 6–14–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

22 CFR Part 22 

[Public Notice: 11195] 

RIN 1400–AF15 

Schedule of Fees for Consular 

Services—Fee Change for Certain 

Border Crossing Cards 

AGENCY: Department of State. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Department of State 

amends the Schedule of Fees for 

Consular Services (Schedule) for visa 

fees. More specifically, the rule amends 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES