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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 127 / Wednesday, July 7, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA20190293.
Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket at https www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA20190293; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the European Aviation Safety Agency now European Union Aviation Safety Agency EASA AD, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Hatfield, Aviation Safety Engineer, Aircraft Systems Section, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817222
5110; email david.hatfield@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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Background The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking NPRM to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters with serial number S/N up to and including 1254 except S/N 1235. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 16, 2021 86 FR
20089. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modifying the T/R control within 360 hours time-in-service TIS
by installing a Teflon washer and performing a functional test in accordance with specified portions of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB EC13567A031, Revision 0, dated March 30, 2017 ASB EC135
67A031. Based on the results of the functional test, the NPRM proposed to require making repairs in accordance with FAA-approved procedures. The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD
20170147, dated August 10, 2017
EASA AD 20170147, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, EC635P2+, EC635P3, EC635T1, EC635T2+, and EC635T3
helicopters. EASA advises that several cases of insufficient clearance between
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a certain T/R bearing connection and the helicopter structure were detected during inspections of helicopters on the production line. EASA states that this condition, if not corrected and in the case of an unglued bearing, could lead to blockage of the pedal controlling the T/R thrust and loss of the T/R control.
EASA further advises that this could result in a forced landing with damage to the helicopter and injury to the occupants.
Accordingly, EASA AD 20170147
requires modifying the T/R control installation by adding a Teflon washer, which reduces the degree of freedom in case of a drifting bearing at the affected connection. EASA AD 20170147 also requires a functional test for clearance, and depending on the results, either accomplishing additional corrective actions or contacting Airbus Helicopters for instructions.
Comments The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs.
Conclusion These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAAs bilateral agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these helicopters.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed ASB EC13567A
031 for Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, EC635P2+, EC635P3, EC635T1, EC635T2+, and EC635T3 helicopters. For S/Ns up to 1254 inclusive, except S/N 1235, this service information specifies retrofitting a Teflon washer on the T/R controls, performing a functional test of the modified T/R control installation to inspect for clearance, and making any necessary adjustments. This service information advises that S/N 1255 and up will have the Teflon washer installed in production.
This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

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Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD sets compliance times at 12 months, while this AD requires compliance within 360 hours TIS. The EASA AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC635T1, EC635T2+, EC635T3, EC635P2+, and EC635P3 helicopters;
this AD does not because these models do not have an FAA type certificate. The EASA AD requires contacting Airbus Helicopters for approved repair procedures; this AD requires a repair using FAA-approved procedures. The EASA AD requires revising the aircraft maintenance program, whereas this AD
does not because not all U.S. operators are required to have a maintenance program.
Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD
affects 331 helicopters of U.S. registry.
Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
Modifying the T/R control installation and conducting a functional test takes about 3 work-hours and parts cost about $25 for an estimated cost of $280 per helicopter and $92,680 for the U.S. fleet.
If required, adjusting the clearance takes about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter.
Authority for This Rulemaking Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAAs authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII:
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agencys authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA
with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce.
This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on helicopters identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
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