2021-04-15: Vertical Stabilizer, Spar/Rib

The Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2021-04-15 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21437; Docket No. FAA- 2021-0094; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00100-R. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 23, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Airbus Helicopters specified in paragraph (c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category. \n\t(1) Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, all serial numbers. \n\t(2) Model AS350B3 helicopters, all serial numbers except those that have embodied Modification 07.3148 in production, or Eurocopter AS350 Service Bulletin 55.00.14 (any revision) in service. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5531, Vertical Stabilizer, Spar/Rib. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report that, during an unscheduled post-flight inspection of the tail cone area of an Airbus Helicopters Model AS355NP helicopter, a crack was found in the spar of the upper fin and fractures were found in the two front attachment screws. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the spar of the upper part of the vertical fin and fractures in the front attachment screws. This condition could lead to in-flight separation of the upper part of the vertical fin, resulting in loss of control of the helicopter. \n\n((Page 13168)) \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Requirements \n\n\n\tExcept as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with allrequired actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2020-0186, dated August 20, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0186). \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0186 \n\n\n\t(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0186 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(2) The ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0186 does not apply to this AD. \n\t(3) The actions specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0186 are not required by this AD. \n\t(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0186 specifies to contact the manufacturer for approved repair instructions, for this AD, if any cracking is detected during any inspection, repair before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD. \n\t(5) Where EASA AD 2020-0186 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service. \n\t(6) Where the service information referred to in EASA AD 2020- 0186 specifies to perform a visual inspection and ''if in doubt'' remove the rear and the tail rotor gear box (TGB) fairings to perform a detailed inspection and ''carry out'' a dye-penetrant inspection, those actions are required by this AD if any crack indication (e.g., paint chips, dents, or swelling) is found during any inspection done without removing the rear and the TGB fairings. \n\t(7) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020- 0186 specifies to scrap certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service instead. \n\n(i) Special Flight Permit \n\n\n\tSpecial flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed. \n\n(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(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: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. \n\t(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. \n\n(k) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Kathleen Arrigotti, Aviation Safety Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3218; email: kathleen.arrigotti@faa.gov. \n\n(l) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0186, dated August 20, 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For EASA AD 2020-0186, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer- Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. \n\t(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 on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA- 2021-0094. \n\t(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 fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on February 9, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-04800 Filed 3-4-21; 11:15 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P