2022-03-13: Rotorcraft Flight Control

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 2014-21-03, Amendment 39-17995 (79 FR 63809, October 27, 2014); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: AD 2022-03-13 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21930; Docket No. FAA-2022-0019; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00371-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 1, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2014-21-03, Amendment 39-17995 (79 FR 63809, October 27, 2014) (AD 2014-21-03). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700, Rotorcraft Flight Control. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by several reports of cracks in the front attachment points of certain yaw control damper supports (supports) and the subsequent development of an improved (reinforced) support with improved fatigue and load carrying capabilities. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the support, separation of the yaw damper unit, blocking of the yaw flight control channel, and reduced 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0086, dated March 24, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0086). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0086 (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0086 requires compliance from its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2021-0086 does not apply to this AD. (3) Where EASA AD 2021-0086 requires compliance in terms of flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service (TIS). (4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0086 specifies using a light source and a mirror to ensure that there are no cracks on the support at the four attachments of the yaw damper, and "if there is any doubt" removing the yaw damper, this AD requires the yaw damper to be removed prior to that inspection. (5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD specifies discarding certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (6) Where Table 1 of EASA AD 2021-0086 requires a compliance time of within 100 FH after April 3, 2014 (the effective date of EASA AD 2014-0080, dated March 27, 2014 [EASA AD 2014-0080]), this AD requires a compliance time of within 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. (7) Where Note 1 of EASA AD 2021-0086 identifies the FH specified in Table 1 are those accumulated by support part number 332A25-1334-00 on April 3, 2014 (the effective date of EASA AD 2014-0080) since first installation on a helicopter, this AD requires using the total hours TIS accumulated by the helicopter as of the effective date of this AD. (8) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0086 allows credit for inspections accomplished before the effective date of its AD, this AD allows credit for the initial inspection if accomplished before the effective date of this AD. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0086 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (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 Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email [email protected]. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (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. (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) AD 2021-0086, dated March 24, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2021-0086, 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. (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-2022-0019. (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 January 24, 2022. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-03113 Filed 2-11-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P