[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32456-32458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13851]


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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; 
Amendment 39-18174; AD 2015-12-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Previously 
Eurocopter France) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 
Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model AS355E, AS355F, 
AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters with a Fueltron flowmeter installed. 
This AD requires removing each flowmeter, replacing the fuel system 
hoses, and disabling the electrical connections for the flowmeter 
installation. This AD was prompted by a report of particle 
contamination creating an obstruction in a flowmeter which resulted in 
an uncontrolled flame-out of the engine. The actions of this AD 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: This AD is effective July 14, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of July 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2014-0646.

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 AD, the European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD, any incorporated-by-reference service information, 
the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, 
M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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: 

Discussion

    On September 15, 2014, at 79 FR 54925, the Federal Register 
published our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters with 
a certain flowmeter installed. The NPRM proposed to require, within 750 
hours time-in-service, removing the flowmeter from each engine, 
replacing the fuel hose with 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. The proposed requirements were 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.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2013-0205, dated September 9, 2013, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter (now 
Airbus Helicopters) 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, after landing, an AS355 
helicopter experienced an uncontrolled flame-out of the No. 1 engine 
caused by particle contamination in the fuel that obstructed the 
Fueltron flowmeter. EASA further states that because the flowmeter 
installation is identical on both engines, 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

[[Page 32457]]

flowmeter from each engine, modifying the fuel line system with new 
fuel lines, removing the flowmeter indicator, and disabling the 
flowmeter electrical connections. Since we issued the NPRM (79 FR 
54925, September 15, 2014), the title of the approving official for 
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) has changed. Thus, we have 
revised the title of the approving official from the Manager of the 
Regulations and Policy Group to the Manager of the Safety Management 
Group.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (79 FR 54925, 
September 15, 2014).

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 
the EASA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same 
type designs and that air safety and the public interest require 
adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Interim Action

    We consider this 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Eurocopter 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. This 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 of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 47 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may 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 requires about 4 work-hours, 
and required parts cost about $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 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 responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2015-12-01 Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter France): 
Amendment 39-18174; Docket No. FAA-2014-0646; Directorate Identifier 
2013-SW-053-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 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) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 14, 2015.

(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 Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: James Blyn, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and

[[Page 32458]]

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.

(j) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. AS355-28.00.20, 
Revision 0, dated June 6, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, 
Texas 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 
641-3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-13851 Filed 6-8-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P