[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12804-12806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04981]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4381; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-009-
AD;Amendment 39-18428; AD 2016-05-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters with 
certain external life rafts. This AD requires installing a sheath kit 
on the left-hand and right-hand raft deployment control systems. This 
AD is prompted by a report that the life raft deployment control could 
not be adjusted due to problems with the life raft deployment linkage. 
This unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
external life raft to deploy and prevent evacuation of passengers 
during an emergency.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 28, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of March 28, 2016.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 10, 2016.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
4381; 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 (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 final rule, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 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. It is also on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-4381.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5116; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, 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 resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, 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 them 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 rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2015-0048, dated March 17, 2015, 
to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model AS 365 N3, 
EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters. EASA advises that after installation 
of a new life raft on a helicopter, the travel of the life raft 
deployment control could not be properly adjusted, putting at risk 
proper life raft inflation. According to a technical analysis, the 
varying positions of the life raft inflation cylinder inside the bag 
containing the life raft, as well as the varying positions of the bag 
within the life raft container, may cause the life raft deployment 
control cable to loosen and travel insufficiently.
    This condition could result in failure of the external life raft to 
deploy after a ditching, impeding or preventing the safe evacuation of 
helicopter occupants, EASA states. EASA consequently requires 
alteration of the life raft deployment control by installing a sheath 
kit, which Airbus Helicopters identifies as Modification 365A084711.00 
and 365A084711.01.

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

[[Page 12805]]

provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
AS365-25.01.45 and ASB No. EC155-25A128, both Revision 1, and both 
dated February 2, 2015. The service information reports that the 
position of the life raft inflation cylinder may slacken the deployment 
control cable for new life rafts installed on Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B, 
and EC155B1 helicopters. In one instance, travel of the life raft 
deployment control could not be adjusted as stated in the maintenance 
manual. This anomaly is due to the varying positions of the inflation 
cylinder inside the bag that contains the life raft, and the varying 
positions of the bag inside the container, related to the installation 
and removal of optional equipment, calendar overhauls, life raft 
storage, shock impacts, and in-flight vibrations. Airbus Helicopters 
consequently developed modification 365A084711.00 and 365A084711.01, 
which ensure sufficient travel of the life raft deployment control 
cable in all positions of the inflation cylinder by installing an 
improved sheath kit on the left hand and right hand deployment 
controls.
    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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, before the next flight over water, installing a 
sheath kit on the left-hand and right-hand raft deployment controls.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires installing a sheath kit on the left-hand and 
right-hand raft deployment controls within 110 hours time-in-service or 
before further flight for helicopters required to have life rafts, 
whichever occurs later. This AD requires installing a sheath kit on the 
left-hand and right-hand raft deployment controls before the next 
flight over water.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 23 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
estimates, we expect that installing the sheath kits requires 4 work-
hours and a parts cost of $50 for a total cost of $390 per helicopter 
and $8,970 for the U.S. fleet.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting 
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions 
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that 
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment 
prior to the adoption of this rule because many of the affected 
helicopters are located along major waterways, and the required 
corrective actions must be accomplished before the next flight over 
water.
    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
prior public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest and that good cause exists to make this 
AD effective in less than 30 days.

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 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, 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):

2016-05-10 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-18428; Docket No. FAA-
2015-4381; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-009-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B, 
and EC155B1 helicopters with an external life raft part number 
245431-0, 245431-1, 245434-0, or 245434-1 installed, certificated in 
any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an external life raft's 
failure to deploy. This condition could prevent the safe evacuation 
of helicopter occupants during an emergency landing in water.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective March 28, 2016.

(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

    Before the next flight over water, install a sheath kit on each 
left-hand and right-hand life raft deployment control in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2, of Airbus 
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS365-25.01.45, 
Revision 1, dated February 2, 2015, or ASB No. EC155-25A128, 
Revision 1, dated February 2, 2015, whichever is applicable to your 
helicopter.

[[Page 12806]]

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5116; 
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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0048, dated March 17, 2015. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-4381.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: Life Raft, 2564.

(i) 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) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS365-
25.01.45, Revision 1, dated February 2, 2015.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. EC155-25A128, 
Revision 1, dated February 2, 2015.
    (3) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in 
this final rule, contact Airbus Helicopters, 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 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 February 29, 2016.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04981 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P