[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54925-54926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21921]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0646; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-053-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, Inc. (Previously 
Eurocopter France) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Airbus Helicopters, Inc. (previously Eurocopter France) Model AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters with a Fueltron flowmeter 
installed. This proposed AD would require removing each flowmeter, 
replacing the fuel system hoses, and disabling the electrical 
connections for the flowmeter installation. This proposed AD is 
prompted by a report of particle contamination creating an obstruction 
in a flowmeter which resulted in an uncontrolled flame-out of the 
engine. The proposed actions are intended to prevent obstruction of the 
fuel supply to the flowmeter, which could result in engine flame-out 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 14, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the economic evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at 
http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2013-0205, dated September 9, 
2013, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter (now Airbus 
Helicopters, Inc.) Model AS355 E, AS355 F, AS355 F1, and AS355 F2 
helicopters with modification 350A070791 (installation of the Fueltron 
flowmeter), except helicopters with modification 355A085801 (removal of 
the Fueltron flowmeter). EASA advises that, after landing, an AS355 
helicopter experienced an uncontrolled flame-out of the No. 1 engine. 
Following an analysis, EASA states that particle contamination in the 
fuel had obstructed the Fueltron flowmeter because the cross-section 
areas of the passages in the flowmeter are smaller than the mesh in the 
upstream fuel pump strainer, allowing particles to pass through the 
strainer and into the flowmeter. EASA further states that the flowmeter 
installation is identical on both engines, and that this condition 
could lead to flame-out of both engines in flight, possibly resulting 
in reduced control of the helicopter. EASA AD No. 2013-0205 requires 
removing the flowmeter from each engine, modifying the fuel line system 
with a new fuel line part number (P/N) 704A34-416-029 for the left-hand 
(LH) engine and P/N 704A34-416-030 for the right-hand (RH) engine, 
removing the flowmeter indicator, and disabling the flowmeter 
electrical connections.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known 
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely 
to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS355-
28.00.20, Revision 0, dated June 6, 2013, for Model AS355 E, AS355 F, 
AS355 F1, and AS355 F2 helicopters, which describes procedures for 
removing and disabling the Fueltron flowmeter installation. The ASB 
corresponds to Eurocopter modification 355A085801.

[[Page 54926]]

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 750 hours time-in-service, 
removing the flowmeter from each engine, replacing the fuel line with 
P/N 704A34-416-029 for the LH engine and P/N 704A34-416-030 for the RH 
engine, removing the flowmeter indicator, and disabling the flowmeter 
electrical connections by complying with certain procedures in ASB No. 
AS355-28.00.20.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD to be an interim action. The design 
approval holder is currently developing a modification that will 
address the unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this 
modification is developed, approved, and available, we might consider 
additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 47 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators would incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 
per work-hour, removing the flowmeter installation would require about 
4 work-hours, and required parts would cost $1,600, for a cost per 
helicopter of $1,940 and a total cost of $91,180 for the fleet.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 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.
    We are 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 proposed 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.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.
    For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus Helicopters, Inc. (Previously Eurocopter France) Helicopters: 
Docket No. FAA-2014-0646; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-053-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters, Inc. Model AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters, certificated in any 
category, with a Fueltron flowmeter part number (P/N) 704A37-670-001 
installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as obstruction of the fuel 
supply to the flowmeter, which could result in engine shutdown and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 14, 2014.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Within 750 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Remove each flowmeter.
    (ii) Remove each left-hand hose, P/N 704A34.4160.31, and install 
hose, P/N 704A34-416-029, as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 of 
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. AS355-28.00.20, Revision 0, 
dated June 6, 2013 (ASB AS355-28.00.20).
    (iii) Remove each right-hand hose, P/N 704A34.4160.32, and 
install hose, P/N 704A34-416-030, as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 of 
ASB AS355-28.00.20.
    (iv) Remove each flowmeter indicator and disable the flowmeter 
wiring as described in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
3.B.2.b., of ASB AS355-28.00.20.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a 
flowmeter, P/N 704A37-670-001, on any helicopter.

(f) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Regulations and Policy Group, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: James Blyn, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 
telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD 2013-0205, dated September 9, 2013. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2014-0646.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7333: Fuel Flow 
Sensor.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 2, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21921 Filed 9-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P