[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43970-43972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18049]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2994; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-057-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
(Formerly Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) 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 Deutschland GmbH (Airbus) (formerly Eurocopter 
Deutschland GmbH) Model MBB-BK 117C-2 helicopters with an external 
mounted hoist system wiring harness installed. This proposed AD would 
require inspecting the hoist control pendant wiring harness for 
chafing, and if there is chafing, before the next hoist operation, 
replacing the wiring harness. This proposed AD would also require a 
installing a protection sleeve on the hoist control pendant wiring 
harness. This proposed AD is prompted by an uncommanded hoist release 
involving chafing on the wiring harness of the hoist control pendant 
and on the wiring. The proposed actions are intended to prevent loss of 
an external load or person from the hoist resulting in injury to 
persons being lifted and loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 22, 
2015.

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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Schwab, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 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

[[Page 43971]]

Union, issued EASA AD No. 2014-0211, dated September 19, 2014, to 
correct an unsafe condition for the Airbus Model MBB-BK117 C-2 
helicopters ``equipped with optional equipment external mounted hoist 
system.'' EASA advises that an uncommanded hoist cable cut occurred and 
that an investigation revealed chafing on the wiring harness of the 
hoist control pendant and on the wiring of the +28V wire of the stand-
by horizon inside the middle ceiling panel. The wire of the stand-by 
horizon contacted the hoist control pendant wiring harness and caused 
the uncommanded cable cut. EASA also states that this condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to load release, possibly resulting 
in injury to a human load or to the persons on the ground. EASA issued 
AD No. 2014-0211 requiring an inspection and modification of the wiring 
harness to correct this unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, 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 products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-BK117 C-
2-88A-009, Revision 0, on June 18, 2014, specifying a visual inspection 
of the hoist control pendant wiring harness for chafing. If there is 
heavy chafing, before the next hoist operation, the ASB specifies 
replacing the wiring harness. The ASB also specifies a ``retrofit'' of 
an additional protective sleeve for the hoist control pendant wiring 
harness. 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 of this 
NPRM.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require:
     Before the next hoist operation:
    [cir] Visually inspecting the hoist control pendant wiring harness 
for chafing, and replacing the wiring harness if there is chafing on 
the wiring harness protection sleeve and any internal wiring is 
visible, or if there is chafing on any internal wire.
    [cir] Installing each wiring harness cable tie so that the cable 
tie heads do not contact any adjacent parts or wiring harnesses.
     Within the next 100 hours time-in-service, installing a 
protection sleeve on the wiring harness and inspecting each cable tie 
for correct installation.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 109 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work hour. 
We estimate 1.5 work hours to inspect the hoist control pendant wiring 
harness at a cost of about $128 per helicopter and $13,952 for the 
fleet. We estimate 2 work hours to install a protection sleeve and 
inspect the cable ties and $125 for required parts at a cost of $295 
per helicopter and $32,155 for the fleet. If required, we estimate a 
minimal amount of time for labor and $224 for required parts to replace 
a wiring harness.

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 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 Deutschland GmbH (formerly Eurocopter Deutschland 
GmbH): Docket No. FAA-2015-2994; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-057-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with an 
external mounted hoist system wiring harness part number (P/N) 
B851M2063101 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as chafing on the wiring 
harness or wiring of a hoist control pendant. This condition could 
result in loss of an external load or person from the hoist 
resulting in injury to persons being lifted and loss of control of 
the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 22, 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) Before the next hoist operation:

[[Page 43972]]

    (i) Visually inspect the hoist control pendant wiring harness 
(wiring harness) for chafing. The wiring harness is shown in Figure 
1 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-BK117 C-2-
88A-009, Revision 0, dated June 18, 2014 (MBB-BK117 C-2-88A-009). If 
there is chafing on the wiring harness protection sleeve such that 
any internal wiring is visible, or if there is chafing on any 
internal wire, replace the wiring harness.
    (ii) Install each wiring harness cable tie so that the cable tie 
heads do not contact any adjacent parts or wiring harnesses, as 
shown in Figure 3 of ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-88A-009.
    (2) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service, install a 
protection sleeve on the wiring harness and inspect each cable tie 
by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.3, of 
ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-88A-009.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Regulations Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) For service information identified in this 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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2014-0211, dated September 19, 2014. You 
may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
in Docket No. FAA-2015-2994.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 5397 Fuselage 
Wiring.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 15, 2015.
Bruce E. Cain,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-18049 Filed 7-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P