2022-07709. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a discrepancy in the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) where the rotorcraft stay-up flying capabilities for Category B operation were provided through performance data only, not as airworthiness limitations that are dependent upon on the number of passengers on board. This AD requires revising the existing RFM for your helicopter, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective May 17, 2022.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 17, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

For EASA material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail] ; internet: www.easa.europa.eu . You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu . 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 [phone]. It is also available in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0097.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0097; 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:

Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail] .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0225, dated October 8, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0225), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter France) Model EC 155 B and EC 155 B1 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 EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 10, 2022 (87 FR 7768). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a discrepancy in the RFM where the rotorcraft stay-up flying capabilities for Category B operation were provided through performance data only, not as airworthiness limitations that are dependent upon on the number of passengers on board. The NPRM proposed to require revising the existing RFM for your helicopter, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0225.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address a discrepancy in the RFM where the rotorcraft stay-up flying capabilities for Category B operation were provided through performance data only, not as airworthiness limitations that are dependent upon on the number of passengers on board, which could lead to an incorrect determination of the stay-up flying capabilities, possibly resulting in reduced control of the helicopter. See EASA AD 2021-0225 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. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2021-0225 requires amending (revising) the Limitation Section of the applicable RFM by incorporating new weight limitations that are dependent upon the number of passengers on board. 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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

EASA AD 2021-0225 requires operators to “inform all flight crew” of revisions to the RFM and, thereafter, to “operate the helicopter accordingly.” However, this AD does not specifically require those actions. Nonetheless, the FAA recommends that flight crews of the helicopters listed in the applicability be made aware of the flight manual changes.

14 CFR 91.9 requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft without complying with the operating limitations specified in the RFM. Therefore, including a requirement in this AD to operate the helicopter according to the revised RFM would be redundant and unnecessary. Further, compliance with such a requirement in an AD would be impracticable to demonstrate or track on an ongoing basis; therefore, a requirement to operate the helicopter in such a manner would be unenforceable.

This AD allows the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate to revise the existing RFM for your helicopter and do the logbook entry, whereas EASA AD 2021-0225 does not specify this. This AD requires these actions to be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v), and the record to be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417 or 135.439.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 18 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.

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
1 work-hours × $85 per hour = $85	$0	$85	$1,530

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

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

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

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2022-08-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22005; Docket No. FAA-2022-0097; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01115-R.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 17, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7600, Engine Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a report of a discrepancy in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) where the rotorcraft stay-up flying capabilities for Category B operation were provided through performance data only, not as airworthiness limitations that are dependent upon the number of passengers on board. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this discrepancy in the RFM, which could lead to an incorrect determination of the stay-up flying capabilities, possibly resulting in reduced control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0225, dated October 8, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0225).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0225

(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0225 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0225 specifies to “inform all flight crew and, thereafter, operate the helicopter accordingly,” this AD does not require those actions.

(3) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0225.

(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0225 specifies an acceptable compliance method, replace the text “which includes information of equal effect to that presented” with “which includes information identical to that presented.”

(5) The action required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0225 may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417 or 135.439.

(i) Special Flight Permit

Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, provided that no passengers are onboard.

(j) 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 (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [e-mail] .

(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.

(k) Related Information

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; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail] .

(l) 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0225, dated October 8, 2021.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For the EASA AD 2021-0225, contact Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail] ; internet: www.easa.europa.eu . You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu .

(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 [phone]. This material may be found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0097.

(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 [e-mail], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html .

Issued on April 4, 2022.

Lance T. Gant,

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.