Rule2022-19257
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 8, 2022
Effective
October 13, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by review of maintenance instructions that showed conflicting methods of recording torque cycles for certain parts. This AD requires recalculating the torque cycles of certain parts and updating log cards; 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 incorporated by reference. This AD also requires incorporating the re-calculated life limits into existing maintenance records. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 173 (Thursday, September 8, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54874-54877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19257]
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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;
Amendment 39-22158; AD 2022-18-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1
helicopters. This AD was prompted by review of maintenance instructions
that showed conflicting methods of
[[Page 54875]]
recording torque cycles for certain parts. This AD requires
recalculating the torque cycles of certain parts and updating log
cards; 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 incorporated by
reference. This AD also requires incorporating the re-calculated life
limits into existing maintenance records. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 13, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 13,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For EASA material that is incorporated by reference (IBR) in
this final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne,
Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#befffacdfedbdfcddf90dbcbccd1cedf90dbcb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93d2d7e0d3f6f2e0f2bdf6e6e1fce3f2bdf6e6">[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 final rule, 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. It is also available 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.
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 final rule, the
EASA AD, 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, 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#1b706972686f72753579697a7f777e625b7d7a7a357c746d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85eef7ecf6f1ecebabe7f7e4e1e9e0fcc5e3e4e4abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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.
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 AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on June 29, 2022 (87 FR 38689). The
NPRM was prompted by review of maintenance instructions that showed
conflicting methods of recording torque cycles for certain parts. The
NPRM proposed to require recalculating the torque cycles of certain
parts and updating log cards; removing certain other parts from
service; and applying an operational restriction on certain parts, as
specified in EASA AD 2022-0012. The NPRM also proposed to require
incorporating the re-calculated life limits into existing maintenance
records.
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. See EASA AD 2022-0012 for additional background
information.
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 helicopters.
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.
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 AD,
however, requires 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 civil aviation authority 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 AD and the EASA AD
EASA AD 2022-0012 allows using Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-
[[Page 54876]]
01.00.76, Revision 0, dated December 16, 2021, for corrective actions;
whereas this AD does not and instead requires 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 AD requires,
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 affects 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 AD.
Recalculating the torque cycles and updating maintenance records
takes 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, takes about 2 work-hours
for an estimated cost of $170 per helicopter and $1,190 for the U.S.
fleet. Replacing a main rotor shaft takes about 40 work-hours and parts
cost about $175,684 for an estimated cost of $179,084. Replacing a main
gearbox flexible mounting plate support takes about 80 work-hours and
parts 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 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.
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:
2022-18-07 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22158; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0804; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00081-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 13, 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) of
this AD.
[[Page 54877]]
Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6e57432f383d432f273c43595d5e432f23212d2e080f0f40090118"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f46523e292c523e362d52484c4f523e32303c3f191e1e51181009">[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
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#d3b8a1baa0a7babdfdb1a1b2b7bfb6aa93b5b2b2fdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="365d445f45425f5818544457525a534f7650575718515940">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-
01.00.76, Revision 1, dated March 8, 2022.
(ii) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0012,
dated January 24, 2022.
(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>. 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#e9a8ad9aa98c889a88c78c9c9b869988c78c9c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2a6b6e596a4f4b594b044f5f58455a4b044f5f">[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>.
(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. 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.
(5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2c4a5e0245425f5c494f584543426c424d5e4d024b435a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6e081c4007001d1e0b0d1a0701002e000f1c0f40090118">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on August 19, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19257 Filed 9-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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