2022-19-08: Tail Rotor Blades

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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-19-08 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22177; Docket No. FAA-2022-1157; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01093-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 3, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6410, Tail Rotor Blades. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of manufacturing defects on multiple tail rotor blades (TRBs). The FAA is issuing this AD to detect linear indications on a TRB. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an in-flight TRB loss, unbalance or damage to the tail or other parts of the helicopter, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency Emergency AD 2022-0169-E, dated August 12, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0169-E). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0169-E (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0169-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0169-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E states to "accomplish a visual check of the root area of each affected part," for this AD, replace that text with "accomplish a visual inspection of the root area of each affected part." (4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E states, "linear indication," for the purposes of this AD, a linear indication is any linear indication perpendicular to the fiber direction of the blade that is detected regardless of size. (5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E states to "accomplish a dye penetrant inspection of the root area of each discrepant part in accordance with the instructions of the ASB," for this AD replace that text with "perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the root area of each affected part that has any linear indication (perpendicular to the fiber direction of the blade and regardless of size), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.3. of the ASB. This FPI must be accomplished by a Level II or Level III inspector certified in the FAA-acceptable standards for nondestructive inspection personnel." Note 1 to paragraph (h)(5): Advisory Circular 65-31B contains examples of FAA-acceptable Level II and Level III qualification standards criteria for inspection personnel doing nondestructive test inspections. (6) This AD does not mandate paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E; instead, for this AD, if as a result of the action required by paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E, there is any linear indication (perpendicular to the fiber direction of the blade and regardless of size), before further flight, remove the affected TRB from service and replace it with a serviceable part as defined in EASA AD 2022-0169-E. (7) This AD does not allow paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0169-E, instead for this AD use paragraph (j) of this AD. (8) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0169-E specifies to discard the TRB if a linear indication is detected, this AD requires before further flight, removing that part from service. (9) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0169-E specifies to use tooling, this AD allows the use of equivalent tooling. (10) This AD does not mandate compliance with the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0169-E. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0169-E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Special Flight Permit A special flight permit may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the visual inspection or FPI can be performed, provided no passengers are onboard. Special flight permits are prohibited if a linear indication has been detected by an FPI or a visible crack has been detected on a TRB. (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) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. (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 For more information about this AD, contact Dan McCully, Program Manager, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1701 Columbia Ave., Mail Stop: ACO, College Park, GA 30337; telephone (404) 474-5548; email william.mccully@faa.gov. (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 this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2022-0169-E, dated August 12, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2022-0169-E, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at 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 regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1157. (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 fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on September 6, 2022. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-20152 Filed 9-14-22; 11:15 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P