2022-08-01: Fuselage main, attach fittings

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 2020-22-01, Amendment 39-21297 (85 FR 69126, November 2, 2020); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-08-01 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22004; Docket No. FAA-2022-0096; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01092-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 17, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2020-22-01, Amendment 39-21297 (85 FR 69126, November 2, 2020) (AD 2020-22-01). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5340, Fuselage main, attach fittings. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on attachment screws and fittings fastening the main gearbox (MGB) suspension bars to the fuselage. The FAA is issuing this AD to address corrosion on attachment fittings and attachment screws for the MGB suspension bars. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to structural failure of the MGB attachment screws, resulting in detachment of MGB suspension bars from the fuselage and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definitions Affected parts are attachment screws and fitting(s) fastening the parts identified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD. (1) Rear MGB suspension bars, right and left sides, to the fuselage. (2) Front MGB suspension bar to the fuselage. (h) Repetitive Inspections Except as specified in paragraphs (j)(1) through (10) of this AD: Within the applicable compliance times identified in paragraphs (h)(1) or (2) of this AD, inspect each affected part and its frame bores for discrepancies, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2. through 3.B.2.b.3 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-53.02.05, Revision 2, dated August 19, 2021 (ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2); or in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2. through 3.B.2.d. of Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-53.02.07, Revision 1, dated August 19, 2021 (ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1), as applicable to your model helicopter. For the purposes of this inspection, a discrepancy may be indicated by corrosion on the MGB attachment fitting or by sealing compound on the attachment screws. (1) Perform the initial inspection within the applicable compliance times identified in the "Deadlines" column of Tables 1 through 4, as applicable, of paragraph 1.E.2, "Compliance in service," of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2, and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed the compliance time identified in the "Periodicity" column of Table 1 through 4, as applicable. (2) Perform the initial inspection within the applicable compliance times identified in the "Deadlines" column of Tables 1 and 2, as applicable, of paragraph 1.E.2, "Compliance in service," of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed the compliance time identified in the "Periodicity" column of Table 1 and 2, as applicable. (i) Corrective Action Except as required by paragraphs (j)(7) through (10) of this AD: If, during any inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, there is any discrepancy, before further flight, perform the applicable corrective action (including replacing or repairing corroded parts and replacing screws that have sealing compound on them), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2. through 3.B.2.b.3 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 or in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2. through 3.B.2.d. of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, as applicable. (j) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications (1) Where Tables 1 and 3 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 use the phrase "receipt of Revision 0 of this Alert Service Bulletin issued April 18, 2019," this AD requires using December 7, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-22-01). (2) Where Table 1 of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1 uses the phrase "receipt of Revision 0 of this Alert Service Bulletin," this AD requires using December 7, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-22-01). (3) Where Tables 2 and 4 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 use the phrase "receipt of Revision 2 of this Alert Service Bulletin," this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (4) Where Table 2 of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, uses the phrase "that follow receipt of Revision 1 of this Alert Service Bulletin," this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (5) Where Tables 2 and 4 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2, and Table 2 of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, specify certain configurations in the "Configuration" column, this AD requires compliance for those configurations as of the effective date of this AD. Note 1 to paragraph (j)(5): An example for the exception specified in paragraph (j)(5) of this AD is where a service bulletin specifies, "3700 flight hours or more since compliance with this Alert Service Bulletin," use "3700 flight hours or more since compliance with this Alert Service Bulletin as of the effective date of this AD." (6) Where Tables 1 and 3 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2, and Table 1 of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, specify certain configurations in the "Configuration" column, this AD requires compliance for those configurations as of December 7, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-22-01). (7) Where the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2.b.3 of ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2, and the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2.b.2 of ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1 specify performing a check of the condition of the bores and frames, for this AD for ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 replace the text, "Perform a check of the state of the frame bores as per paragraph G.2. of the Work Card 53-10-00-402 (MET)," with "Perform a check of the state of the frame bores as per paragraph F.2.b.(2) of the Work Card 53-10-00-402 (MET);" and for ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1 replace the text, "Check the condition of the bores and the frames using the endoscope (yy) as per paragraph G.2. of Work Card 53-10-00-402 (MET)," with "Check the condition of the bores and the frames using the endoscope (yy) as per paragraph F.2.b.(2) of Work Card 53-10-00-402 (MET)." (8) Where ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 and ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1 specify discarding parts, you are not required to discard parts. (9) Where ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2 and ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1 specify contacting Airbus Helicopters for repair instructions, this AD requires repair done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, General Aviation and 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. (10) Where ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2, and ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, specify if sealing compound is present, or if no sealing compound is present but there is corrosion, take a photo, place the part in quarantine, and contact Airbus Helicopters for repair instructions, this AD requires repair done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. This AD does not require taking a photo or placing the part in quarantine. (k) Reporting If, during any inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, there is any discrepancy, report the inspection results to Airbus Helicopters at the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (2) of this AD. The report should include the information specified in Appendix 4.A. of Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2; or ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1, as applicable. (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection. (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. (l) Credit for Previous Actions (1) For helicopters identified in ASB AS332-53.02.05 Rev 2: This paragraph provides credit for initial inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05, Revision 1, dated March 2, 2020, or Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53.02.05, Revision 0, dated April 18, 2019. (2) For helicopters identified in ASB AS332-53.02.07 Rev 1: This paragraph provides credit for initial inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Helicopters ASB AS332-53-02.07 Revision 0, dated October 21, 2019. (m) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, provided no passengers are onboard. (n) 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 (o)(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. (o) Related Information (1) 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] . (2) Service information identified in this AD is available at the contact information specified in paragraphs (p)(3) and (4) of this AD. (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0222, dated October 6, 2021. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2022-0096. (p) 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. (i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-53.02.05, Revision 2, dated August 19, 2021. (ii) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-53.02.07, Revision 1, dated August 19, 2021. (3) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX, 75052, telephone: (972) 641-0000; or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html . (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. (5) 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 April 5, 2022. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-07705 Filed 4-11-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P