2023-23-01: Fuselage Structure

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 2022-01-05, Amendment 39-21893 (86 FR 74353, December 30, 2021); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-23-01 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22603; Docket No. FAA-2023-2150; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00188-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 29, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2022-01-05, Amendment 39-21893 (86 FR 74353, December 30, 2021) (AD 2022-01-05). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0028, dated February 1, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0028). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 5300, Fuselage Structure. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of degradation of the rear transmission shaft bearing support and the determination that all the attachment rivets of the transmission shaft bearing support were sheared. Also, it has been reported that some attachment rivets of the transmission shaft bearing may have been painted over, preventing detection of this unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address sheared attachment rivets of the transmission shaft bearing support. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure of the tail rotor drive shaft and subsequent loss of yaw 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, EASA AD 2023-0028. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0028 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0028 defines "the ASB" as "AH Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC130-05A039 Revision 3;" for this AD, replace that definition with "Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC130-05A039, Revision 4, dated March 15, 2023." (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0028 refers to November 1, 2021 (the effective date of EASA Emergency AD 2021-0235-E, dated October 28, 2021), this AD requires using December 9, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-24-06, Amendment 39-21827 (86 FR 66934, November 24, 2021). (3) Where EASA AD 2023-0028 refers to December 21, 2021 (the effective date of EASA AD 2021-0283-E, dated December 17, 2021), this AD requires using January 14, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-01-05). (4) Where EASA AD 2023-0028 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (5) Where EASA AD 2023-0028 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0028 specifies that certain inspections can be done by a mechanical technician, a pilot with correct training and accreditation, or a pilot-owner, this AD requires that those inspections be accomplished by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3. (7) Where paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0028 specify contacting Airbus Helicopters to obtain approved repair instructions and accomplishing those instructions within the compliance time(s) specified therein, this AD requires, before further flight, repair done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, 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. (8) Where paragraph (8) of EASA AD 2023-0028 requires reporting inspection results to Airbus Helicopters within 30 days after each rivet replacement, this AD requires reporting inspection results at the applicable time in paragraph (h)(8)(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 each rivet replacement. (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. (9) Instead of the credit allowed in paragraph (9) of EASA AD 2023-0028, you may take credit for the following; "Inspection(s) and corrective action(s) required by paragraphs (1), (2), and (6) of EASA AD 2023-0028 that have been accomplished before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC130-05A039 original issue, dated October 27, 2021; Revision 1, dated December 16, 2021; Revision 2, dated February 9, 2022; or Revision 3, dated January 30, 2023." (10) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0028. (i) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits may be permitted to accomplish the actions required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2023-0028 provided that there are no passengers on board. Special flight permits are prohibited for any other actions required by this AD. (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 Dan McCully, Program Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (404) 474-5548; 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 2023-0028, dated February 1, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA material, 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 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. (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/[email protected]. Issued on November 6, 2023. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-25185 Filed 11-9-23; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P