Document ID: FAA-2020-0239-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Helicopters
Posted Date: 2020-06-08T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 110 (Monday, June 8, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34957-34959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12342]

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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 110 / Monday, June 8, 2020 / Rules
and Regulations  

[[Page 34597]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0239; Product Identifier 2018-SW-073-AD; Amendment
39-21136; AD 2020-12-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a
report that a changed manufacturing process for the tail rotor blades
(TRB) was implemented, affecting the structural characteristics of the
blades and generating a new part number for these blades. This AD
requires re-identifying each affected TRB having a certain part number
and serial number and establishing a life limit for the new part
numbers. This AD also prohibits installation of any affected TRB
identified with the old part number on any helicopter. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 13, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 13,
2020.

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 on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2020-0239.

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-2020-
0239; 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, 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: Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5485;
email Kristin.Bradley@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    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 EC120B helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
March 11, 2020 (85 FR 14178). The NPRM was prompted by a report that a
changed manufacturing process for the TRB was implemented, affecting
the structural characteristics of the blades and generating a new part
number for these blades. The NPRM proposed to require re-identifying
each affected TRB having a certain part number and serial number and
establishing a life limit for the new part numbers. The NPRM also
proposed to prohibit installation of any affected TRB identified with
the old part number on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to
ensure the new part number (P/N) TRBs do not exceed their life limit,
which could lead to loss of the TRB and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation
Safety Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0183, dated
August 28, 2018 (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. You may
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0239.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed,
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these
minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin EC120-04A008,
Revision 0, dated July 18, 2018 (``ASB EC120-04A008''). This service
information describes procedures for re-identifying a TRB with P/N
C642A0300103 for certain serial numbers as specified in ASB EC120-
04A008. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 94 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 34598]]

                                     Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................           $0 **              $85         $7,990 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable providing cost estimates for the additional
  applicable maintenance instructions specified in this AD.
** The FAA has received no definitive data on the parts cost.

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.

Adoption of 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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

2020-12-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21136; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0239; Product Identifier 2018-SW-073-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 13, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code 6410, Tail rotor
blades.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that a new manufacturing
process for the tail rotor blades (TRBs) has been implemented,
affecting the structural characteristics of the TRB and generating a
new part number (P/N) for these blades. It was determined that a new
life limit is needed for the new P/N TRBs. The FAA is issuing this
AD to ensure the new P/N TRBs do not exceed their life limit, which
could lead to loss of the TRB and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.

(g) Definition of an Affected Part for Re-Identification and Validation
of Rework/Repair/Modification

    An ``affected part'' is a TRB having P/N C642A0300103 and a
serial number specified in Appendix 4.A. of Airbus Helicopters Alert
Service Bulletin EC120-04A008, Revision 0, dated July 18, 2018
(``ASB EC120-04A008'').

(h) Part Replacement (Life Limit Implementation)

    Before exceeding 8,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) since first
installation on a helicopter: Remove from service each TRB having P/
N C642A0300104 or P/N C642A0300105.

(i) Part Re-Identification and Validation of Rework/Repair/Modification

    (1) Within 1,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD:
Re-identify each affected part in accordance with 3.B. of the
Accomplishment Instructions of ASB EC120-04A008.
    (2) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, for
each affected part which has been subject to rework, repair, or
modification before the re-identification as required by paragraph
(i)(1) of this AD, contact the Manager, Safety Management Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, for additional applicable
maintenance instructions and, within the compliance time identified
in those instructions, accomplish those instructions accordingly.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition and Rework/Repair/Modification
Limitation

    (1) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
TRB having P/N C642A0300103 and a serial number specified in
Appendix 4.A. of ASB EC120-04A008 on any helicopter.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may
accomplish any rework, repair, or modification of an affected part,
unless it has been determined that the rework, repair, or
modification is FAA-approved for P/N C642A0300105.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to:
Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth,
TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5485; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, notify your
principal inspector or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
the local flight standards district office or certificate holding
district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this
AD through an AMOC.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation
Safety Agency) AD 2018-0183, dated August 28, 2018, for related
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2020-0239.

[[Page 34599]]

    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Kristi Bradley,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft
Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone 817-222-5485; email Kristin.Bradley@faa.gov.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin EC120-04A008,
Revision 0, dated July 18, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For 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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.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 28, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
 Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-12342 Filed 6-5-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P