Background \n\n\n\tEASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0064, dated March 19, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0064), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters (AH), formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale Model EC 120 B, EC 175 B, AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, AS 350 B, AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 350 BA, AS 350 BB, AS 350 B3, AS 350 D, EC 130 B4, EC 130 T2, AS 355 E, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, AS 355 N, AS 355 NP, SA 365 N, SA 365 N1, AS 365 N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155 B, and EC 155 B1 helicopters. EASA AD 2020-0064 also corrects an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD), formerly Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH; and Airbus Helicopters Inc., formerly American Eurocopter LLC, Eurocopter Espa(ntilde)a S.A. Model MBB-BK117 C-2, MBB-BK117 D-2, EC 135 P1, EC 135 P2, EC 135 P2+, EC 135 P3, EC 135 T1, EC 135 T2, EC 135 T2+, EC 135 T3, EC 635 P2+, EC 635 P3,EC 635 T1, EC 635 T2+, and EC 635 T3 helicopters. Model EC635 P2+, EC635 P3, EC635 T1, EC635 T2+, and EC635 T3 helicopters are not certificated by the FAA and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet except where the U.S. type certificate data sheet explains that the Model EC635T2+ helicopter having serial number 0858 was converted from Model EC635T2+ to Model EC135T2+; this AD therefore does not include Model EC635 P2+, EC635 P3, EC635 T1, EC635 T2+, and EC635 T3 helicopters in the applicability. \n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC120B, EC130B4, EC130T2, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters, and Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, MBB-BK117 C-2, and MBB- BK117 D-2 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2021 (86 FR 31995). The NPRM was prompted by failure of an Emergency Flotation System (EFS) float compartment to inflate during maintenance of the EFS. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting certain EFSs and depending on the results, marking certain parts or removing certain parts from service specified in EASA AD 2020-0064. \n\nDiscussion of Final Airworthiness Directive \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for a minor change. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require actions specified in EASA AD 2020-0064 through incorporation by reference, except for certain differences. The FAA has obtained approval to use this process from certain manufacturers, including Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD); however, the FAA has not worked with Safran Aerosystems for approval of this process. EASA AD 2020-0064 requires using Safran Aerosystems Service Bulletin (SB) 025-69-18, original issue (Revision 0), dated December 11, 2019 or Revision 1, dated February 4, 2020 (SB 025-69-18 Rev 0 or SB 025-69-18 Rev 1), and allows the use of later approved revisions, to accomplish certain actions. In this AD, a clarification has been added into this final rule to directly use SB 025-69-18 Rev 1 or Safran Aerosystems SB 025-69-18, Revision 2, dated March 24, 2021 (SB 025-69-18 Rev 2), instead of using SB 025-69-18 Rev 0 or SB 025-69- 18 Rev 1 through incorporation by reference of EASA AD 2020-0064. \n\tThe FAA has determined that this minor change: \n\n((Page 57573)) \n\n\n\tIs consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and \n\tDoes not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tEASA AD 2020-0064 specifies inspecting certain EFSs and depending on the results, marking a float supply hose with a green dot with indelible ink if the float supply hose passes an inspection, replacing the float supply hose with a serviceable float supply hose, or replacing an affected EFS with a serviceable EFS. EASA AD 2020-0064 also prohibits installing a float supply hose unless it passes the inspection and is marked. \n\tThe FAA reviewed SB 025-69-18 Rev 1 and SB 025-69-18 Rev 2, which apply to certain Safran Aerosystems EFS and float supply hoses. Each revision of this service information specifies procedures for inspecting single- and multi-section EFS inflation system float supply hoses for blockage, and depending on the results, replacing the hose and contacting Safran Aerosystems, or marking the hose. SB 025-69-18 Rev 2 was issued to correct a list of possibly affected parts (Table 3). \n\tThis material 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. \n\nDifferences Between This AD and the EASA AD \n\n\n\tEASA AD 2020-0064 applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B, EC175B, AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350BA, AS350BB, AS350B3, AS350D, EC130B4, EC130T2, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC155 B, and EC155B1 helicopters and Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, EC635 P2+, EC635P3, EC635T1, EC635T2+, and EC635T3 helicopters, whereas this AD does not include Model AS350BB, EC175B, EC635P2+, EC635P3, EC635T1, EC635T2+, and EC635T3 helicopters because these models are not FAA type- certificated. Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020- 0064 requires certain compliance times depending on whether the helicopter is operated over water, this AD requires compliance within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) instead. Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0064 specifies ''work must be performed on the helicopter by the operator,'' this AD requires that the work be accomplished by a mechanic that meets the requirements of 14 CFR part 65 subpart D. Where some of the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0064 specifies replacing or removing an affected hose that fails the inspection, this AD requires removing the hose from service instead. Where some of the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0064 specifies to discard certain parts, this proposed AD requires removing those parts from service instead. Where some of the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0064 specifiesto return the EFS to the Safran Aerosystems network or clogged hoses to Safran Aerosystems Services, this AD does not include those requirements. Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0064 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,900 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. \n\tInspecting the EFS takes up to about 8 work-hours for an estimated cost of up to $680 per helicopter and $1,292,000 for the U.S. fleet. \n\tReplacing an EFS hose takes about 1 work-hour and parts cost between $500 and $2,000 per hose, and up to $11,000 for a set of float supply hoses, for an estimated cost of up to $11,085 per helicopter. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 49 of the United StatesCode specifies the FAA's 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 Agency's authority. \n\tThe 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 products identified in this rulemaking action. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis 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 thenational government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.