2021-04-18: Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate

Adoption of 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2020-23-02, Amendment 39-21318 (85 FR 73607, November 19, 2020), and adding the following new AD: \n\n2021-04-18 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21440; Docket No. FAA- 2021-0096; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00040-R. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 25, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2020-23-02, Amendment 39-21318 (85 FR 73607, November 19, 2020) (AD 2020-23-02). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6230, Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing and control issue regarding the ceramic balls in the bearing installed in the swashplate assembly of the main rotor mast assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address defective ceramic balls in the bearing installed in the swashplate assembly of the main rotor mast assembly, which could lead to premature spalling of the ball itself and of the bearing, loss of function of the bearing, and overload of the main rotor mast scissor, resulting in reduced control of the helicopter. \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 all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD2020-0264, dated December 2, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0264). \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0264 \n\n\n\t(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0264 refers to April 15, 2020 (the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0079), this AD requires using December 4, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-23-02). \n\t(2) Where Table 1 of EASA AD 2020-0264 specifies a column heading of ''FH Accumulated,'' for this AD use hours time-in-service accumulated as of December 4, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020- 23-02). \n\n((Page 13640)) \n\n\n\t(3) Where Table 2 of EASA AD 2020-0264 specifies a column heading of ''FH Accumulated,'' for this AD use hours time-in-service accumulated as of the effective date of this AD. \n\t(4) Where EASA AD 2020-0264 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(5) The ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0264 does not apply to this AD. \n\t(6) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020- 0264 specifies to return certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service instead. \n\t(7) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020- 0264 specifies ''compliance with the works steps concerned with the check is described in a video'' this AD requires a complete rotation of the swashplate in both directions using a rate of one revolution per minute. \n\t(8) Where EASA AD 2020-0264 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service. The guidance provided by Note 1 to Table 1 and Table 2 in EASA AD 2020-0264 is still applicable. \n\n(i) No Reporting Requirement \n\n\n\tAlthough the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0264 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. \n\n(j) Special Flight Permit \n\n\n\tSpecial flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed. \n\n(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, 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 Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, send it to: Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: 817-222-5110. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. \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(l) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3218; email: [email protected]. \n\n(m) 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 2020-0264, dated December 2, 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For EASA AD 2020-0264, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer- Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; 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- 2021-0096. \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 [email protected], or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on February 10, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-04869 Filed 3-9-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P