2021-20-16: 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: 0 a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-04-15, Amendment 39-21437 (86 FR 13165, March 8, 2021); and \n\n((Page 57552)) \n\n0 b. Adding the following new AD: \n\n2021-20-16 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21754; Docket No. FAA- 2021-0453; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00377-R. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 22, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2021-04-15, Amendment 39-21437 (86 FR 13165, March 8, 2021) (AD 2021-04-15). \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 Airbus Helicopters Modification 073148 in production. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5531, Vertical Stabilizer, Spar/Rib. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \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(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) AD 2021-0099, dated April 9, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0099). \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0099 \n\n\n\t(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0099 refers to its effective date or to July 12, 2017, (the effective date of EASA AD 2017-0114, dated June 28, 2017), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(2) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0099. \n\t(3) Where EASA AD 2021-0099 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. \n\t(4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0099 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 the service information referred to in EASA AD 2021- 0099 specifies to perform a visual inspection for cracking on the ''RH side of spar (a)'' and ''if you are not sure'' remove the rear and the tail rotor gear box (TGB) fairings to perform a detailed inspection and do 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(6) Where the service information referred to in EASA AD 2021- 0099 specifies to perform a visual check for cracks in the ''spars (a) of the top and bottom fins'' and ''if you are not sure'' do a dye-penetrant inspection, the dye-penetrant inspection isrequired by this AD if any crack indication (e.g., paint chips, dents, or swelling) is found during any visual check (inspection). \n\t(7) Where the service information referred to in EASA AD 2021- 0099 specifies to check the integrity of the two thrust pad attachment screws for damage, for this AD, damage includes loosening, deformation, and nicks. \n\t(8) Where the service information referred to in EASA AD 2021- 0099 specifies that the visual check can be performed by an airframe technician or pilot, this AD requires that the visual check be performed by a qualified mechanic. \n\n(i) Special Flight Permit \n\n\n\tSpecial flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are prohibited. \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 inspectoror 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, Program Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 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 2021-0099, dated April 9, 2021. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For EASA AD 2021-0099, 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- 2021-0453. \n\t(5) You may view this material that is incorporatedby reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on September 23, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-22472 Filed 10-15-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P