2021-11-17: Main Rotor Control

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\n2021-11-17 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 39- 21579; Docket No. FAA-2021-0199; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00016- R. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 16, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs) \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters, certificated in any category. \n\tNote 1 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with an EC135P3H designation are Model EC135P3 helicopters. Helicopters with an EC135T3H designation are Model EC135T3 helicopters. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6710, Main Rotor Control. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report of increased control force in the collective axis. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the main rotor actuator and subsequent loss of 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 Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018-0284, dated December 20, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0284). \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2018-0284 \n\n\n\t(1) Where EASA AD 2018-0284 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of thisAD. \n\t(2) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2018-0284 specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters, this AD requires performing the corrective action in accordance with FAA-approved procedures. \n\t(3) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2018-0284 specifies an alternative method to comply with the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2018-0284 by replacing an affected part, this AD requires removing the affected part from service as an alternative method. \n\t(4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2018-0284 specifies a compliance time of ''3 months or 50 flight hours, whichever occurs first,'' this AD requires a compliance time of within 50 hours time- in-service (TIS) from the effective date of this AD. \n\t(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2018-0284 specifies a compliance time of ''15 days,'' this AD requires using a compliance time of ''30 days.'' \n\t(6) The ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2018-0284 does not apply to this AD. \n\n(i) 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 (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, \n\n((Page 31089)) \n\nor lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. \n\n(j) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Katherine Venegas, Aviation Safety Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627- 5353; email [email protected]. \n\n(k) 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 Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-0284, dated December 20, 2018. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For EASA AD 2018-0284, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer- Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +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 maybe found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA- 2021-0199. \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 May 20, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-12227 Filed 6-10-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P