Discussion \n\n\n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to remove AD 2007-26-51, Amendment 39-15357 (73 FR 6008, February 1, 2008) (AD 2007-26-51), and add a new AD. AD 2007-26-51 applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (type certificate previously held by Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) Model EC135 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 0005 up to and including S/N 0444, except S/N 0028, and with control rod part number (P/N) L672M2005207, installed. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 18, 2020 (85 FR 36816). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting certain ball pivots for damage and freedom of movement, applying corrosion preventative compound on the ball pivot, and corrective action, as applicable. The NPRM also proposed to require replacing the control rod with the newly developed control rod that the FAA determined was necessary to address the unsafe condition. \n\tThe NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2010-0227R1, dated April 7, 2017 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ''the MCAI''), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for all Model EC135 P1, EC135 P2, EC135 P2+, EC135 T1, EC 135 T2, and EC135 T2+ helicopters; and Model EC635 T1, EC635 P2+, and EC635 T2+ helicopters. EASA advises that in 2007 an accident occurred on an EC135 helicopter in Japan. Preliminary investigation results indicated that loss of control was due to failure of the control rod. EASA issued EASA Emergency AD 2007-0301-E, dated December 13, 2007 (EASA AD 2007- 0301-E) to inspect the affected control rod P/N L672M2005207 and the ball pivot (which correspond to the actions required by AD 2007-26-51). EASA AD 2007-0301-E was subsequently superseded by EASA AD 2007-0313, dated December 21, 2007, to require repetitive inspections and, depending on findings, the replacement of the control rod and ball pivot, only for helicopters not equipped with an automatic flight control system (AFCS). After review of the inspection results, EASA issued EASA AD 2008-0064, dated April 4, 2008, and later revised to EASA AD 2008-0064 R1, dated April 15, 2008 (EASA AD 2008-0064 R1), to apply the requirements to helicopters equipped with an AFCS. \n\tEASA also advises that after EASA AD 2008-0064R1 was issued, Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH developed a new control rod P/N L672M2006101, installation of which constituted terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Consequently, EASA issued EASA AD 2010- 0227, dated November 3, 2010, and corrected November 8, 2010, retaining the requirements of EASA AD 2008-0064R1, and requiring the replacement of control rod P/N L672M2005207 with the new control rod P/N L672M2006101. The FAA has determined that this new control rod must be installed in order to address the unsafe condition. \n\tIn addition, EASA advises that following a reviewof data and feedback received from in-service helicopters, it \n\n((Page 82306)) \n\nhas been determined that the repetitive inspections of the ball pivot are no longer required to address the unsafe condition. The repetitive inspections of the ball pivot are now included in Chapter 05 of the aircraft maintenance manual. Therefore, EASA issued EASA AD 2010-0227R1 to remove the requirement for repetitive inspections of the control rod and of the ball pivot. \n\tYou may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0572. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule, but the FAA did not receive any comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public. \n\nFAA's Determination \n\n\n\tThese helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after evaluating all of the information provided by EASA and determining the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type designs and that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed. \n\nDifferences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information \n\n\n\tThe MCAI includes a compliance time of 50 flight hours for the inspection of a certain ball pivot; 100 flight hours or 43 days for the inspection of a certain other ball pivot; and 400 flight hours or 12 months for the replacement of the control rod. This AD requires all actions be accomplished within 50 hours time-in-service. \n\tThe MCAI applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC635 T1, EC635 P2+, and EC635 T2+ helicopters. Model EC635 T1, EC635 P2+, and EC635 T2+ helicopters are not certified 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 those Model EC 635 helicopters in the applicability. \n\tAdditionally, although the MCAI and service information specify to contact the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tAirbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB EC135-67A- 017, Revision 4, dated April 3, 2017, including the Appendix (watermarked as Appendix to SB EC135-67A-017 Revision 4). This service information describes procedures for, among other actions, an inspection of ball pivots, P/Ns 92-201-00 and 92-207-00, for freedom of movement, and for damage (e.g., cracks, missing hardware, loose bearing, or play), application of corrosion preventative compound, and corrective actions. Corrective actions include replacing the ball pivot and the control rod with serviceable parts, and applying corrosion preventative compound. \n\tThis 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. \n\nOther Related Service Information \n\n\n\tEurocopter has issued Service Bulletin EC135-67-018, Revision 01, dated May 15, 2008, which describes procedures for replacing the control rod having P/N L672M2005207 with a control rod having P/N L672M2006101. \n\tEurocopter has also issued Alert Service Bulletin EC135-67A-017, Revision 03, dated July 26, 2010, which describes procedures for ball pivot inspections and replacements. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 311 helicopters of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. \n\tInspecting the ball pivot takes about 1 work-hour, for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $26,435 for the U.S. fleet. If applicable, applying corrosion preventative compound takes a minimal amount of additional time for a nominal cost. \n\tReplacing the control rod takes about 3 work-hours, and parts cost about $800 for an estimated cost of $1,055 per helicopter and $328,105 for the U.S. fleet. \n\tReplacing the control rod and ball pivot takes up to about 6 work- hours, and parts cost up to about $2,150 for an estimated cost of up to $2,660 per helicopter. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 49 of the United States Code 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\tThe FAA has determined that 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 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.