Rule2021-19037
Airworthiness Directives; Hélicoptères Guimbal Helicopters
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 7, 2021
Effective
October 12, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters with any metal bushing installed on the main rotor (M/R) swashplate guide bellcrank. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks discovered on the M/R scissor link during scheduled maintenance on several helicopters. This AD requires removing all metal bushings from service, visually inspecting the lug bore area and depending on the inspection results, removing certain parts from service and installing certain part- numbered plastic bushings. This AD also prohibits installing any metal bushing on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 170 (Tuesday, September 7, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 7, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49907-49909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19037]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0498; Project Identifier 2019-SW-072-AD; Amendment
39-21722; AD 2021-19-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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[[Page 49908]]
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters with any
metal bushing installed on the main rotor (M/R) swashplate guide
bellcrank. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks discovered on the
M/R scissor link during scheduled maintenance on several helicopters.
This AD requires removing all metal bushings from service, visually
inspecting the lug bore area and depending on the inspection results,
removing certain parts from service and installing certain part-
numbered plastic bushings. This AD also prohibits installing any metal
bushing on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 12, 2021.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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#a8cac9dbc1c4cd86cfc1c6cdc4e8cfddc1c5cac9c486cbc7c5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f69497859f9a93d8919f98939ab691839f9b94979ad895999b">[email protected]</span></a>; web <a href="https://www.guimbal.com">https://www.guimbal.com</a>. 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. 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-2021-0498; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any comments received,
and other information. The 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: 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#a7c6c9c3d5c2c689cdcecac2c9c2dde7c1c6c689c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93f2fdf7e1f6f2bdf9fafef6fdf6e9d3f5f2f2bdf4fce5">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal (HG) Model Cabri G2 helicopters,
certificated in any category, with any metal bushings installed on the
main rotor (M/R) swashplate guide bellcrank and without plastic bushing
part number HG22-1001 or HG modification 16-009. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on July 9, 2021 (86 FR 36241). In the NPRM, the
FAA proposed to require within 50 hours time-in-service or 2 months,
whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD,
disconnecting the bellcrank from the swashplate guide, removing each
bolt and using a certain tool, removing certain parts from service. The
NPRM also proposed to require visually inspecting the lug bore area for
corrosion and cracks and depending on the inspection results, removing
certain parts from service, or repairing the area using an FAA-approved
method, installing certain part-numbered plastic bushings, coating the
area with a compound, reinstalling certain parts, applying a specified
torque, and installing cotter pins. The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD
2019-0185, dated July 30, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0185), issued by EASA,
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European
Union, to correct an unsafe condition for H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res
Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters. EASA advises that during scheduled
maintenance on several helicopters, cracks were found on the M/R
scissor link due to corrosion. EASA states this corrosion was caused by
stress induced by the mounting of the metal bushing inside the lug
hole. EASA further states metal bushings are also installed on the M/R
swashplate guide bellcrank, where similar cracking may occur. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the M/R
swashplate guide bellcrank and reduced control of the helicopter.
Accordingly, EASA AD 2019-0185 requires replacing any part-numbered
metal bushing with plastic bushing part number (P/N) HG22-1001. EASA AD
2019-0185 also prohibits installing any part-numbered metal bushing on
the M/R swashplate guide bellcrank other than P/N HG22-1001 on any
helicopter.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 17-003, Revision D,
dated August 27, 2019 (SB 17-003 Rev D). This service information
specifies disconnecting the bellcrank installed on the swashplate guide
by removing the bolts that connect the bellcrank to the swashplate
guide, removing any existing bushings, and visually inspecting the lug
bore area for corrosion or cracks. This service information also
specifies if there is any corrosion or cracks, reporting the
information to HG support, installing the new plastic bushings,
reinstalling the bellcrank, applying a specified torque, and installing
cotter pins.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA also reviewed Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 17-003, Revision
C, dated July 12, 2019 (SB 17-003 Rev C). SB 17-003 Rev C specifies the
same procedures as SB 17-003 Rev D, except SB 17-003 Rev D updates the
reference to EASA AD 2019-0185.
Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2019-0185
EASA AD 2019-0185 applies to all Model Cabri G2 helicopters,
whereas this AD only applies to Model Cabri G2 helicopters with any
metal bushings installed and without HG modification 16-009. The
service information required by the EASA AD requires contacting
H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal for corrective actions when
corrosion or cracks are found in the lug bore area whereas this AD
requires removing the swashplate guide from service or repairing it
using an FAA-approved method.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 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 AD.
Disconnecting the bellcrank, removing each metal bushing and
visually inspecting for corrosion and
[[Page 49909]]
cracks would take about 0.5 work-hours for an estimated cost of $43 per
inspection cycle.
Installing each plastic bushing, coating with compound, re-
installing the bellcrank, and applying torque would take about 0.5
work-hours and parts would cost about $10 for an estimated cost of $53
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
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:
2021-19-04 H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal: Amendment 39-21722;
Docket No. FAA-2021-0498; Project Identifier 2019-SW-072-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 12, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal (HG) Model
Cabri G2 helicopters, certificated in any category, with any metal
bushings installed on the main rotor (M/R) swashplate guide
bellcrank and without plastic bushing part number HG22-1001 or HG
modification 16-009.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700, Rotorcraft
Flight Control.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of cracks on the M/R scissor
link. The FAA is issuing this AD to replace the metal bushings
installed on the M/R swashplate guide bellcrank with plastic
bushings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
failure of the M/R swashplate guide bellcrank and reduced control of
the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 2 months, whichever
occurs first after the effective date of this AD:
(i) Disconnect the bellcrank from the swashplate guide by
removing each bolt and, ensuring that the bellcrank remains attached
to the flight control rod, remove each metal bushing from service
using a bushing disassembly tool.
(ii) Visually inspect the lug bore area for any corrosion and
any cracks. If there is any corrosion or any cracks, before further
flight, remove the swashplate guide from service or repair it using
an FAA-approved method. If there is no corrosion and no cracks,
install plastic bushing part number HG22-1001, coat plastic bushing
with isolation compound, re-install the bellcrank, torque each bolt
to 7.5 Nm-9 Nm (5.5 ft-lbs-6.6 ft-lbs), and install cotter pins.
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any
metal bushing on any helicopter.
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3d04107c6b6e107c746f100a0e0d107c70727e7d5b5c5c135a524b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dde4f09c8b8ef09c948ff0eaeeedf09c90929e9dbbbcbcf3bab2ab">[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.
(i) 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#6f0e010b1d0a0e410506020a010a152f090e0e41080019"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="17767973657276397d7e7a7279726d5771767639707861">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0185, dated July 30, 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-2021-0498.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on August 30, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-19037 Filed 9-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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