Proposed Rule2022-13825
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
June 29, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by review of maintenance instructions that showed conflicting methods of recording torque cycles for certain parts. This proposed AD would require recalculating the torque cycles of certain parts, updating log cards, and replacing those parts before exceeding their recalculated service life limits (life limits); removing certain other parts from service; and applying an operational restriction on certain parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38689-38691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13825]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0804; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00081-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by review of maintenance
instructions that showed conflicting methods of recording torque cycles
for certain parts. This proposed AD would require recalculating the
torque cycles of certain parts, updating log cards, and replacing those
parts before exceeding their recalculated service life limits (life
limits); removing certain other parts from service; and applying an
operational restriction on certain parts, as specified in a European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for
incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 August 15,
2022.
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 above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For EASA material that is proposed for IBR in this NPRM, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99d8ddead9fcf8eaf8b7fcecebf6e9f8b7fcec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a0e1e4d3e0c5c1d3c18ec5d5d2cfd0c18ec5d5">[email protected]</span></a>; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You
may find the EASA material on the EASA website at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>. For Airbus Helicopters service information
identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum
Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-
0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at <a href="https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html">https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html</a>. 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. The EASA material is
also available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0804.
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-2022-0804; 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 EASA AD,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS
Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0368716a70776a6d2d617162676f667a436562622d646c75"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="adc6dfc4ded9c4c383cfdfccc9c1c8d4edcbcccc83cac2db">[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-2022-0804; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00081-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
<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
Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS Program Management Section,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c273e253f382522622e3e2d282029350c2a2d2d622b233a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbd0c9d2c8cfd2d595d9c9dadfd7dec2fbdddada95dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives
that 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 2022-0012, dated January 24, 2022
(EASA AD 2022-0012), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus
Helicopters (AH), formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale,
Model AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, and AS 332 L1 helicopters.
This proposed AD was prompted by review of maintenance instructions
that showed conflicting methods of recording torque cycles for certain
parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address under-calculated torque
cycle accumulations and prevent a part from remaining in service beyond
its fatigue
[[Page 38690]]
life. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure
of a part and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. See EASA AD
2022-0012 for additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022-0012 requires recalculating the torque cycles of
certain affected parts, updating log cards, and replacing those parts
before exceeding their recalculated service life limits. EASA AD 2022-
0012 also requires removing certain other affected parts from service
and prohibits installing those parts. Lastly, EASA AD 2022-0012 applies
an operational restriction to certain affected parts.
The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. AS332-01.00.76, Revision 1, dated March 8, 2022 (ASB AS332-
01.00.76, Rev 1). This service information specifies procedures for
determining the corrected accumulated torque cycles and updating the
log cards for certain parts, new life limits expressed in torque
cycles, and new procedures for counting torque cycles.
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
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 these same type designs.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2022-0012, described previously, as incorporated by
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD and except as discussed under
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the EASA AD.''
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2022-0012 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2022-0012 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 EASA AD 2022-0012 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 EASA AD 2022-
0012. Service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0012 for
compliance will be available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0804 after the FAA final
rule is published.
ADs Mandating Airworthiness Limitations
The FAA has previously mandated airworthiness limitations by
mandating each airworthiness limitation task (e.g., inspections and
replacements (life limits)) as an AD requirement or issuing ADs that
require revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the
existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness
to incorporate new or revised inspections and life limits. This
proposed AD, however, would require operators to incorporate into
maintenance records required by 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2) or 135.439(a)(2),
as applicable for your helicopter, the requirements (airworthiness
limitations) specified in service information required by a CAA AD. The
FAA does not intend this as a substantive change. For these ADs, the
ALS requirements for operators are the same but are complied with
differently. Requiring the incorporation of the new ALS requirements
into the maintenance records, rather than requiring individual ALS
tasks (e.g., repetitive inspections and replacements), requires
operators to record AD compliance once after updating the maintenance
records, rather than after every time the ALS task is completed.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
EASA AD 2022-0012 allows using Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-
01.00.76, Revision 0, dated December 16, 2021, for corrective actions;
whereas this proposed AD would not and would instead require using ASB
AS332-01.00.76, Rev 1. EASA AD 2022-0012 requires replacing each
affected part before exceeding its re-calculated life limit; whereas
this proposed AD would require, within 30 days after the effective date
of the AD, incorporating the re-calculated life limits into maintenance
records required by 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2) or 135.439(a)(2), as applicable
for your helicopter.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 7 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.
Recalculating the torque cycles and updating maintenance records
would take about 4 work-hours for an estimated cost of about $340 per
helicopter and $2,380 for the U.S. fleet. Incorporating actions and
associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits and
maintenance tasks, into maintenance records, would require about 2
work-hours for a cost of $170 per helicopter and a cost of $1,190 for
the U.S. fleet. Replacing a main rotor shaft would take about 40 work-
hours and parts would cost about $175,684 for an estimated cost of
$179,084. Replacing a main gearbox flexible mounting plate support
would take about 80 work-hours and parts would cost about $57,457 for
an estimated cost of $64,257.
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
[[Page 38691]]
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
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:
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2022-0804; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00081-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by August 15, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1,
AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 1400,
Miscellaneous Hardware.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by review of maintenance instructions that
showed conflicting methods of recording torque cycles for certain
parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address under-calculated torque
cycle accumulations and prevent a part from remaining in service
beyond its fatigue life. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in failure of a part and subsequent 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2022-0012, dated January 24, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0012).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0012
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0012 defines ``the ASB'' as ``AH Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) AS332-01.00.76,'' for this AD replace that
definition with ``Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
AS332-01.00.76, Revision 1, dated March 8, 2022.''
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0012 references flight hours (FH) and the
service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0012 specifies life
limit thresholds in terms of FH, this AD requires using total hours
time-in-service.
(3) Where EASA AD 2022-0012 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(4) This AD does not mandate paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0012;
instead, for this AD, within 30 days after the effective date of
this AD, incorporate into maintenance records required by 14 CFR
91.417(a)(2) or 135.439(a)(2), as applicable for your helicopter,
the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life
limits and maintenance tasks, specified in the Appendix, section 4.,
of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-01.00.76,
Revision 1, dated March 8, 2022. After the action required by this
paragraph has been done, no alternative actions and associated
thresholds and intervals, including life limits, may be used unless
the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.
(5) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks''
section of EASA AD 2022-0012.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0012
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits 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 Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(2) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f36224e595c224e465d22383c3f224e42404c4f696e6e21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="20190d6176730d6169720d1713100d616d6f63604641410e474f56">[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.
(l) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2022-0012, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#56171225163337253778332324392637783323"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d6c695e6d484c5e4c0348585f425d4c034858">[email protected]</span></a>; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the
EASA material on the EASA website at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>. 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 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2022-0804.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Kristi Bradley,
Program Manager, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#305b42594344595e1e524251545c5549705651511e575f46"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1279607b61667b7c3c706073767e776b527473733c757d64">[email protected]</span></a>.
(3) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in
this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax
(972) 641-3775; or at <a href="https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html">https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html</a>. 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.
Issued on June 23, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-13825 Filed 6-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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