Proposed Rule2021-16684
Airworthiness Directives; Hélicoptères Guimbal Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
August 9, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal (HG) Model Cabri G2 helicopters with certain part-numbered aluminum cooling fans (cooling fan) installed. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of two occurrences of in-flight shutdowns due to a crack and subsequent failure of the cooling fan. This proposed AD would require removing certain part- numbered cooling fans from service, or modifying certain part-numbered cooling fans before exceeding a certain total hours time-in-service (TIS), and installing newly designed cooling fans. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing any affected cooling fan on any helicopter. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43449-43451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16684]
[[Page 43449]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0620; Project Identifier 2019-SW-074-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal (HG) Model Cabri G2 helicopters
with certain part-numbered aluminum cooling fans (cooling fan)
installed. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of two occurrences
of in-flight shutdowns due to a crack and subsequent failure of the
cooling fan. This proposed AD would require removing certain part-
numbered cooling fans from service, or modifying certain part-numbered
cooling fans before exceeding a certain total hours time-in-service
(TIS), and installing newly designed cooling fans. This proposed AD
would also prohibit installing any affected cooling fan on any
helicopter. 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 September
23, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal, Basile Ginel, 1070, rue du
Lieutenant Parayre, A[eacute]rodrome d'Aix-en-Provence, 13290 Les
Milles, France; telephone 33-04-42-39-10-88; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5c7c4d6ccc9c08bc2cccbc0c9e5c2d0ccc8c7c4c98bc6cac8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f89a998b91949dd69f91969d94b89f8d91959a9994d69b9795">[email protected]</span></a>; web <a href="https://www.guimbal.com">https://www.guimbal.com</a>. 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0620; 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, the European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed
above.
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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#11707f756374703f7b787c747f746b517770703f767e67"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c7d72786e797d32767571797279665c7a7d7d327b736a">[email protected]</span></a>.
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-2021-0620; Project Identifier
2019-SW-074-AD'' 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
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
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., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d5b4bbb1a7b0b4fbbfbcb8b0bbb0af95b3b4b4fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="43222d273126226d292a2e262d2639032522226d242c35">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in
the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2014-0038, dated February 14, 2014
(EASA AD 2014-0038), to correct an unsafe condition for
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters. EASA
advises of a report of an in-flight engine shutdown caused by a failure
of the cooling fan. EASA further advises the failure of the cooling fan
was caused by a crack in the fan external ring. After EASA AD 2014-0038
was issued, a second occurrence was reported of an in-flight engine
shutdown caused by failure of the cooling fan, which was determined to
be caused by a crack on the cooling fan front flange.
Accordingly, EASA issued EASA AD 2014-0196, dated September 2, 2014
(EASA AD 2014-0196), which retained the modification requirements of
EASA AD 2014-0038 and required repetitive inspections of the engine
cooling fan front flange and corrective actions depending on the
findings. After EASA issued EASA AD 2014-0196, further analysis
determined the crack was caused by the engine start/stop (ESS) cycles.
Therefore, EASA superseded EASA AD 2014-0196 with EASA AD 2016-0033,
dated February 24, 2016 (EASA AD 2016-0033), which retained the
inspection and modification requirements of EASA AD 2014-0196 and
depending on the findings, required replacement of the affected part
pending approval of the newly designed part.
After EASA issued EASA AD 2016-0033, HG developed a newly designed
engine cooling fan part number (P/N) G52-04-101, which consists of
composite materials having improved structural strength. Accordingly,
EASA superseded EASA AD 2016-0033 with EASA AD 2017-0039, dated
February
[[Page 43450]]
24, 2017 (EASA AD 2017-0039), which retained the requirements of EASA
AD 2016-0033 and required replacing the affected cooling fans with the
newly designed cooling fan which terminates the repetitive inspections
from EASA AD 2016-0033.
Since EASA issued EASA AD 2017-0039, HG issued a revision to its
service bulletin requiring a life limit requirement for the replacement
of the affected cooling fans. Accordingly, EASA superseded EASA AD
2017-0039 with EASA AD 2019-0187, dated July 31, 2019, and corrected
August 2, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0187). EASA AD 2019-0187 retains some of
the requirements in EASA AD 2017-0039 and requires a new compliance
time and life limit for the replacement of the affected part. EASA AD
2019-0187 also removes the modification and inspection requirements
which are covered by EASA AD 2019-0025, dated February 4, 2019.
The unsafe condition described in the EASA ADs, if not addressed,
could result in failure of the cooling fan and subsequent engine in-
flight shut-down and reduced control of the helicopter.
FAA's Determination
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 is proposing this AD
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop
on other helicopters of the same type designs.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 16-021, Revision E,
dated August 27, 2019. This service information specifies instructions
for retrofitting the cooling fan with the new front flange, aft ring,
and 24-hole pulley. This service information also specifies that upon
completion of all the required actions, the cooling fan assembly P/N
G52-00-000, P/N G52-00-001 and P/N G52-04-100 become P/N G52-04-101.
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.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA also reviewed Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 16-021, Revision
D, dated May 20, 2019, which is not incorporated by reference, and
which specifies procedures for accessing the cooling fan and removing
it from service; modifying, applying adhesive and torqueing the rear
flange; installing the improved cooling fan, and additional actions.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require removing from service any affected
part-numbered cooling fan. An alternative, for certain part-numbered
cooling fans, modifying the cooling fan before it exceeds a certain
total hours TIS.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and EASA AD 2019-0187
EASA AD 2019-0187 allows certain cooling fans with certain total
hours TIS to be retrofitted before exceeding their life limit, whereas
this proposed AD would require removing these cooling fans from service
or as an alternate to removing them from service, modifying the cooling
fan before exceeding the total hours TIS. EASA AD 2019-0187 allows a
compliance time in months TIS to replace certain part-numbered cooling
fans, whereas this proposed AD would only allow hours TIS.
EASA AD 2019-0187 retains the compliance time of March 10, 2017,
which is the effective date of EASA AD 2017-0039. This proposed AD
would require compliance within the effective date of this AD. The FAA
has determined that these compliance times are adequate to address the
identified unsafe condition.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 32 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 proposed AD.
Removing the affected cooling fan from service and installing the
newly designed cooling fan would take about 16 work-hours and parts
would cost about $4,600 for an estimated cost of $5,960 per replacement
and $190,720 for the U.S. fleet.
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, 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
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:
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal: Docket No. FAA-2021-0620;
Project Identifier 2019-SW-074-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by September 23, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
[[Page 43451]]
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal (HG) Model
Cabri G2 helicopters, certificated in any category, the following
aluminum cooling fan (cooling fan) part number (P/N) installed:
(1) P/N G52-00-000,
(2) P/N G52-00-001 or P/N G52-04-100, if it is or has previously
been mounted on a 12-hole engine pulley P/N G52-10-100 or P/N G52-
10-101.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7100, Powerplant
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight engine shutdowns
due to a crack and subsequent failure of the cooling fan. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the cooling fan. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in an in-flight engine
shut-down and loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For Model Cabri G2 helicopters with cooling fan P/N G52-00-
000 installed, within 150 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD:
(i) Remove the cooling fan from service by following the
Required Actions, Cooling Fan Removal, paragraphs (a) through (g),
of Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 16-021, Revision E, dated August 27,
2019 (SB 16-021 Rev E), except you are not required to discard any
parts.
(ii) Install the improved cooling fan P/N G52-04-101 by
following the Required Actions, Cooling Fan Installation, paragraphs
(a) through (j), of SB 16-021 Rev E.
(2) For Model Cabri G2 helicopters with a cooling fan P/N G52-
00-001 or P/N G52-04-100 that is mounted or was previously mounted
on a 12-hole engine pulley P/N G52-10-100 or P/N G52-10-101, and
with 1,500 or more total hours TIS, since first installation on a
helicopter, within 150 hours TIS after the effective date of this
AD:
(i) Remove the cooling fan from service by following the
Required Actions, Cooling Fan Removal, paragraphs (a) through (g),
of SB 16-021 Rev E, except you are not required to discard any
parts, or remove the cooling fan by following the Required Actions,
Cooling Fan Removal, paragraphs (a) through (g), of SB 16-021 Rev E
and modify the cooling fan by following the Required Actions,
Cooling Fan Retrofit, paragraphs (a) through (h) of SB 16-021 Rev E.
(ii) Install the improved cooling fan P/N G52-04-101 by
following the Required Actions, Cooling Fan Installation, paragraphs
(a) through (j), of SB 16-021 Rev E.
(3) For Model Cabri G2 helicopters with a cooling fan P/N G52-
00-001 or P/N G52-04-100 that is mounted or was previously mounted
on a 12-hole engine pulley P/N G52-10-100 or P/N G52-10-101 and with
500 total hours TIS but with less than 1,500 total hours TIS, since
first installation on a helicopter, within 500 hours TIS after the
effective date of this AD, perform the actions required by
paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
(4) For Model Cabri G2 helicopters with a cooling fan P/N G52-
00-001 or P/N G52-04-100 that is mounted or was previously mounted
on a 12-hole engine pulley P/N G52-10-100 or P/N G52-10-101 and with
less than 500 total hours TIS since first installation on a
helicopter, within 1,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this
AD, perform the actions required by paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of
this AD.
(5) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any
cooling fan listed in paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter.
(h) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 16-021,
Revision D, dated May 20, 2019.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#caf3e78b9c99e78b8398e7fdf9fae78b8785898aacababe4ada5bc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6e57432f383d432f273c43595d5e432f23212d2e080f0f40090118">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez,
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600
Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ccada2a8bea9ade2a6a5a1a9a2a9b68caaadade2aba3ba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e988878d9b8c88c78380848c878c93a98f8888c78e869f">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal, Basile Ginel, 1070, rue du
Lieutenant Parayre, A[eacute]rodrome d'Aix-en-Provence, 13290 Les
Milles, France; telephone 33-04-42-39-10-88; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#96f4f7e5fffaf3b8f1fff8f3fad6f1e3fffbf4f7fab8f5f9fb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dfbdbeacb6b3baf1b8b6b1bab39fb8aab6b2bdbeb3f1bcb0b2">[email protected]</span></a>; web <a href="https://www.guimbal.com">https://www.guimbal.com</a>. You may view
this referenced 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.
(3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0187, dated July 31, 2019 and
corrected August 2, 2019. You may view the EASA AD on the internet
at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> in Docket No. FAA-2021-0620.
Issued on July 30, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16684 Filed 8-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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