2022-01-05: Fuselage Structure

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2021-24-06, Amendment 39-21827 (86 FR 66934, November 24, 2021); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-01-05 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21893; Docket No. FAA-2021-1165; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01414-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 14, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-24-06, Amendment 39-21827 (86 FR 66934, November 24, 2021) (AD 2021-24-06). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2021-0283-E, dated December 17, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0283-E). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 5300, Fuselage Structure. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of degradation of the rear transmission shaft bearing support and the determination that all of the attachment rivets of the transmission shaft bearing support were sheared. The FAA is issuing this AD to address sheared attachment rivets of the transmission shaft bearing support. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure of the tail rotor drive shaft and subsequent loss of yaw 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, EASA AD 2021-0283-E. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0283-E (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0283-E refers to November 1, 2021 (the effective date of EASA Emergency AD 2021-0235-E, dated October 28, 2021), this AD requires using December 9, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-24-06). (2) Where EASA AD 2021-0283-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where EASA AD 2021-0283-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (4) Where paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0283-E require accomplishing inspections after each last flight of the day or "ALF," this AD requires accomplishing those inspections before each first flight of the day. (5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0283-E specifies that certain inspections can be done by a mechanical technician, a pilot with correct training and accreditation, or a pilot-owner, this AD requires that those inspections be done by a qualified mechanic. (6) Where paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA AD 2021-0283-E specify contacting Airbus Helicopters to obtain approved repair instructions and accomplishing those instructions, this AD requires repair done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters" EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (7) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2021-0283-E requires reporting inspection results to Airbus Helicopters within 30 days after each rivet replacement, this AD requires reporting inspection results at the applicable time in paragraph (h)(7)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after each rivet replacement. (ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the effective date of this AD. (8) This AD does not mandate compliance with the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2021-0283-E. (i) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits may be permitted to accomplish the actions required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0283-E for the before each first flight of the day compliance time only, provided that there are no passengers on board. Special flight permits are prohibited for any other actions required by this AD. (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: [email protected]. (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; telephone (516) 228-7330; email [email protected]. (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) Emergency AD 2021-0283-E, dated December 17, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2021-0283-E, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; 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 (817) 222-5110. This material may be found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1165. (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. Issued on December 22, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021-28340 Filed 12-27-21; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P