2023-22-14: Tail rotor gearbox

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: 2023-22-14 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22598; Docket No. FAA-2023-1720; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00003-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 26, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365C1, SA-365C2, and SA-365N helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6520, Tail rotor gearbox. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of damaged control rod dual bearings (dual bearings) installed on the tail rotor gearbox (TGB). The FAA is issuing this AD to inspect for particles in the TGB magnetic plug. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of yaw control 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 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 2023-0001, dated January 4, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0001). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0001 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0001 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0001 refers to the effective dates specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (i) March 21, 2022 (the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0038, dated March 7, 2022). (ii) The effective date of EASA AD 2023-0001. (3) Where EASA AD 2023-0001 defines Groups, for Group 2, replace the text "SA 365 N helicopters with an affected part installed that has accumulated 500 flight hours (FH) or more since first installation on a helicopter," with "SA-365N helicopters with an affected part installed that has accumulated 500 or more total hours time-in-service on the affected part or the total hours time-in-service on the affected part cannot be determined." (4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 permits a pilot to perform a check of the magnetic plug, this AD requires that action be performed by a person authorized under 14 CFR 43.3. (5) Where Note 1 of EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies, "Helicopters that were under close monitoring on March 21 2022 (the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0038) must continue the close monitoring procedure up to the first inspection accomplished in accordance with the instructions of ASB 1;" for this AD, replace that text with, "Helicopters that are under close monitoring as of the effective date of this AD must continue close monitoring until the first instance of the requirements in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0001 are completed." (6) Where EASA AD 2023-0001 requires replacing the TGB and the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies replacing the TGB, for this AD, before further flight, remove the TGB from service and replace it with an airworthy part, or repair the TGB in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Europe Middle East & Africa Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (7) Where paragraphs (5) and (6) of EASA AD 2023-0001 require replacing an affected part, as defined in EASA AD 2023-0001, with a serviceable part, as defined in EASA AD 2023-0001; for this AD, remove the affected part, as defined in EASA AD 2023-0001, from service and replace it with a serviceable part, as defined in EASA AD 2023-0001. (8) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2023-0001 does not specify a compliance time; for this AD, the compliance time for those actions is before further flight. (9) Where the service information (including any work card) referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies to do the actions identified in paragraphs (h)(9)(i) and (ii) of this AD, this AD does not include those requirements. (i) Comply with paragraph 2.D., except this AD requires reporting information, including the information in Appendix 4. of the service information, in accordance with paragraph (h)(18) of this AD. (ii) Send parts and particles to Airbus Helicopters. (10) Where the service information (including any work card) referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies replacing the chip detector or conical housing chip detector if there is an anomaly; for this AD, an anomaly may be indicated by the magnetic component of the TGB chip detector or the conical housing chip detector not being magnetized. If there is an anomaly, this AD requires before further flight, removing from service the TGB chip detector or the conical housing chip detector, as applicable to your model helicopter. (11) Where the service information (including any work card) referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies making sure that the chip detector or conical housing chip detector is in good condition; for this AD, good condition for the chip detector is indicated when there are no signs of wear on the locking systems (including wear on the bayonets and slotted tubes). If there are any signs of wear on the locking systems, this AD requires, before further flight, removing the TGB chip detector from service. Good condition for the conical housing chip detector is when the conical housing chip detector is magnetized. If the conical housing chip detector is not magnetized, this AD requires, before further flight, removing the conical housing chip detector from service. (12) Where the service information (including any work card) referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies replacing the O-rings if necessary; this AD requires, before further flight, removing any affected O-ring from service and replacing it with an airworthy O-ring. (13) Where the service information (including any work card) referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies removing an affected TGB, returning it to an approved workshop, including sending all the particles found in the affected part; this AD requires, before further flight, removing an affected TGB from service and replacing it with an airworthy part, or repairing the TGB in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Europe Middle East & Africa Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. You are not required to send the particles found in the TGB to Airbus Helicopters or send an affected TGB to an approved workshop. (14) Where the service information (including any work card) referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies to use tooling, this AD allows the use of equivalent tooling. (15) Where the service information (including any work card) referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies discarding certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (16) Where the service information (including any work card) referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies performing a metallurgical analysis of particles if there is a doubt concerning the type, size, or classification of any collected particle, this AD requires, before further flight, performing a metallurgical analysis if the type, size, or classification of any collected particle cannot be determined. (17) Where the service information (including any work card) referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 specifies if there is any doubt remaining (pertaining to particle classification) after performing a metallurgical analysis, contact Airbus, this AD requires, if the type, size, or classification of any collected particle cannot be determined after performing a metallurgical analysis, before further flight, removing an affected TGB from service and replacing it with an airworthy part, or repairing the TGB in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Europe Middle East & Africa Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (18) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0001 requires reporting inspection results, including Appendix 4.A., to Airbus Helicopters, if any M50 particles are found, this AD requires reporting those inspection results along with a detailed description of any information and findings, and if possible, provide photos, at the applicable time in paragraph (h)(18)(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 accomplishing the metallurgical analysis. (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. (19) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0001. (i) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, provided no passengers are onboard. (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 Kevin Kung, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (781) 238-7244; 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) AD 2023-0001, dated January 4, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2023-0001, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 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 material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected]. Issued on October 30, 2023. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-25556 Filed 11-17-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P