2022-07-12: Rotorcraft Flight Control, Main Rotor 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 2021-02-20, Amendment 39-21403 (86 FR 8299, February 5, 2021); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-07-12 Hélicoptères Guimbal: Amendment 39-22000; Docket No. FAA-2022-0020; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00784-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 10, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-02-20, Amendment 39-21403 (86 FR 8299, February 5, 2021) (AD 2021-02-20). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Hélicoptères Guimbal (HG) Model Cabri G2 helicopters, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700, Rotorcraft Flight Control; 6710, Main Rotor Control. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in a rotating scissor fitting. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect a crack and prevent failure of a scissor fitting. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of a rotating or non-rotating scissor fitting and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions For helicopters with rotating or non-rotating scissor fitting part number (P/N) G12-00-200, installed on the main rotor hub (MRH) or swashplate guide, respectively: (1) Within 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 calendar days, whichever occurs first after February 22, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-02-20): (i) Remove the cotter pins and bolts connecting the rotating and non-rotating scissor fitting by following the Required Actions, IPC 4.1-2 a), of Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-012, Revision B, dated October 5, 2020 (SB 20-012 Rev B). Remove the cotter pins from service. Clean each scissor fitting. Using a flashlight, visually inspect each scissor fitting by following the Required Actions, IPC 4.1-2 b), of SB 20-012 Rev B. As an alternative to using SB 20-012 Rev B, you may remove the cotter pins and bolts in accordance with the Required Actions, IPC 4.1-2 a), of Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-012, Revision C, dated July 22, 2021 (SB 20-012 Rev C), and visually inspect each scissor fitting in accordance with the Required Actions, IPC 4.1-2 b), of SB 20-012 Rev C. (ii) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the MRH or swashplate guide with an airworthy part as applicable; or, as an alternative, you may accomplish the modification specified in paragraph (g)(3) of this AD. (iii) If there is not a crack, reassemble the scissor fittings by following the Required Actions, IPC 4.1-2 c), of SB 20-012 Rev B. As an alternative to using SB 20-012 Rev B, you may reassemble the scissor fittings in accordance with the Required Actions, IPC 4.1-2 c), of SB 20-012 Rev C. (2) Thereafter, within 60 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first: (i) Leaving each rotating and non-rotating scissor fitting assembled, clean each scissor fitting. Using a flashlight, visually inspect each scissor fitting by following the Required Actions, IPC 4.1-2 a), of Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-011, Revision D, dated July 22, 2021. (ii) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the MRH or swashplate guide, with an airworthy part as applicable; or, as an alternative, you may accomplish the modification specified in paragraph (g)(3) of this AD. (3) Within 60 months, or during the next main gearbox overhaul, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, remove MRH P/N G12-00-100, or G12-00-101, or G12-00-102 and swashplate guide P/N G21-01-101 or G21-01-102 from service and modify your helicopter by installing MRH P/N G12-00-103 and swashplate guide P/N G21-01-103 containing scissor fitting P/N G12-00-202 (HG modification (mod) 20-040) by following the Required Actions, IPC 2.1-0 a) through k) and m) through aa) of Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 21-007, Revision C, dated July 22, 2021. Note 1 to paragraph (g)(3): HG mod 20-040, as referenced in paragraphs (g)(3), and (h)(1) and (2) of this AD, is accomplished after installation of MRH P/N G12-00-103 and swashplate guide P/N G21-01-103 containing scissor fitting P/N G12-00-202. (4) Completing the actions required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD constitutes a terminating action for the requirements in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD. (h) Parts Installation (1) For any pre-HG mod 20-040 helicopter: As of February 22, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-02-20), do not install an MRH or swashplate guide, with rotating or non-rotating scissor fitting P/N G12-00-200 installed, respectively, on any helicopter, even if new, unless the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD have been accomplished. (2) For any post-HG mod 20-040 helicopter: As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an MRH or swashplate guide, with rotating or non-rotating scissor fitting P/N G12-00-200 installed, respectively, on any helicopter. (i) Credit for Previous Actions (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if you accomplished Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-012, Revision A, dated September 1, 2020, before February 22, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-02-20). (2) This paragraph provides credit for the first instance of the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD if you accomplished Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-011, Revision B, dated September 1, 2020, before February 22, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-02-20). (3) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD if you accomplished Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-011, Revision C, dated October 5, 2020, before the effective date of this AD. (4) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (g)(3) of this AD if you accomplished Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 21-007, Revision B, dated April 4, 2021, before the effective date of this AD. (j) Special Flight Permits A special flight permit may be permitted provided that there are no passengers onboard, and the flight is operating under day Visual Flight Rules, for the purpose of ferrying the helicopter to an authorized maintenance facility. (k) 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 (l)(1) 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. (l) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-7323; email [email protected]. (2) Service information identified in this AD is available at the contact information specified in paragraphs (m)(5) and (6). (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0155, dated July 2, 2021. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2022-0020. (m) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on May 10, 2022. (i) Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-011, Revision D, dated July 22, 2021. (ii) Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-012, Revision C, dated July 22, 2021. (iii) Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 21-007 Revision C, dated July 22, 2021. (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on February 22, 2021 (86 FR 8299, February 5, 2021). (i) Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20-012, Revision B, dated October 5, 2020. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For Hélicoptères Guimbal service information identified in this AD, contact Hélicoptères Guimbal, 1070, rue du Lieutenant Parayre, Aérodrome d'Aix-en-Provence, 13290 Les Milles, France; telephone 33-04-42-39-10-88; email [email protected]; web https://www.guimbal.com. (6) 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. (7) You may view this service information 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 March 24, 2022. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-07094 Filed 4-4-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P