[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 26, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74362-74364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25748]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-3343; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-078-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Previously 
Eurocopter France)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-12-
12 for Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model EC130B4 
and Model EC120B helicopters. AD 2014-12-12 currently requires 
inspecting and, if necessary, replacing parts of the sliding door star 
support attachment assembly. This proposed AD would expand the 
applicability and provide revised instructions for reinforcing the 
sliding door. These proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of 
the sliding door star support attachment, which could inhibit the 
operation of the sliding door from the inside, delaying the evacuation 
of passengers during an emergency.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 27, 
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-2016-
3343; 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 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 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: 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

    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

[[Page 74363]]

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

    On June 13, 2014, we issued AD 2014-12-12, Amendment 39-17873 (79 
FR 36638, June 30, 2014) for Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B 
helicopters with serial numbers up to and including 1367 and with a 
sliding door part number (P/N) C526A2370101 installed and Model EC130B4 
helicopters with sliding door P/N C526S1101051 installed. AD 2014-12-12 
does not apply to helicopters with modification (MOD) 07 3796 or 07 
2921 installed. AD 2014-12-12 requires inspecting the upper and lower 
locking pin control rod fittings and the star support pin for a crack 
and reinforcing the sliding door star support stringer by installing 
three carbon fabric plies.
    AD 2014-12-12 was prompted by AD No. 2013-0093, dated April 15, 
2013, and corrected on April 17, 2013, issued by EASA, which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA AD 
No. 2013-0093 was issued to correct an unsafe condition for Model 
EC120B and EC130B4 helicopters after a case was reported where 
passengers could not open a helicopter's sliding door after landing. 
EASA advises that an investigation revealed a failure of the sliding 
door star axle support.

Actions Since AD 2014-12-12 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2014-12-12, EASA has issued EASA AD No. 2015-
0020, dated February 11, 2015, to correct an unsafe condition for Model 
EC120B helicopters with sliding door P/N C526A2370101 and Model EC130B4 
helicopters sliding door P/N C526S1101051. EASA AD No. 2015-0020 does 
not apply to helicopters with MOD A00565, 07 3796, or 07 2921. EASA AD 
No. 2015-0020 supersedes EASA AD No. 2013-0093. EASA advises that after 
it issued AD No. 2013-0093, it discovered that the doors could be 
installed on all serial-numbered EC120B helicopters. Also, Eurocopter 
(now Airbus Helicopters) learned of difficulties with installing the 
angle bracket and plate used to reinforce the sliding door star 
support. Because of the distance between the star support pin and the 
bottom of the stringer on composite sliding doors, installation of the 
angle bracket and plate is not possible in a small number of sliding 
doors. Eurocopter subsequently revised its repair procedures to provide 
an alternate method for reinforcing the sliding door star support.
    EASA advises that it consequently issued AD No. 2015-0020 to extend 
the applicability to all serial-numbered EC120B helicopters with the 
affected sliding doors. EASA AD No. 2015-0020 also requires compliance 
with the revised service information.

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 products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. EC120-52A014, Revision 2, dated October 28, 2013, 
for Model EC120B helicopters and ASB No. 130-52A009, Revision 1, dated 
January 25, 2013, for Model EC130B4 helicopters. This service 
information specifies visual and dye penetrant inspections of sections 
of the sliding door attachment assembly and reinforcement of the 
sliding door star support. ASB EC120-52A014 was changed at Revision 2 
to expand the applicability for all serial-numbered Model 120B 
helicopters and provides an alternative procedure for reinforcing the 
sliding door star support.
    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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 165 hours time-in-service 
(TIS):
     Visually inspecting each upper and lower locking pin 
control rod end fitting (control end fitting) and replacing it before 
further flight if it is bent, twisted, or broken.
     Cleaning and dye-penetrant inspecting the star support pin 
for a crack and replacing it before further flight if it is cracked.
     Reinforcing the sliding door star support stringer by 
installing three carbon fabric plies.
    This proposed AD would also prohibit installing a sliding door P/N 
C526A2370101 on a Model EC120B helicopter, or a sliding door P/N 
C526S1101051 on a Model EC130B4 helicopter, unless the sliding door 
star support stringer is reinforced as required by this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 261 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Visually inspecting the control rod end fittings would 
require 1 work-hour and a minimal amount for consumable materials for 
an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter, or $22,185 for the U.S. fleet.
     Replacing the control rod end fittings with airworthy 
fittings would require 5 work-hours for a labor cost of $425. Parts 
would cost about $242 for an estimated total cost of $667 per 
helicopter.
     Dye-penetrant inspecting the star support pin for a crack 
would require 2 work-hours and no parts for an estimated cost of $170 
per helicopter and $44,370 for the U.S. fleet.
     Replacing the star support pin would require 5 work-hours. 
Parts would cost about $200 for an estimated total cost of $625 per 
helicopter.
     Installing three carbon fabric plies to reinforce the 
sliding door star support would require 5 work-hours. Parts would cost 
$200 for an estimated total cost of $625 per helicopter and $163,125 
for the U.S. 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,

[[Page 74364]]

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2014-12-12, Amendment 39-17873 (79 FR 36638, June 30, 2014), and adding 
the following new AD:

Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter France): Docket No. FAA-
2016-3343; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-078-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in 
any category, except those with modification A00565, 07 3796, or 07 
2921 installed:
    (1) Model EC120B helicopters with a sliding door part number (P/
N) C526A2370101 installed; and
    (2) Model EC130B4 helicopters with a sliding door P/N 
C526S1101051 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a failure of the sliding 
door star axle support. This condition could prevent operation of a 
sliding door from inside, which could delay evacuation of passengers 
during an emergency.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2014-12-12, Amendment 39-17873 (79 FR 
36638, June 30, 2014).

(d) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 27, 2016.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Within 165 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Visually inspect each upper and lower locking pin control 
rod end fitting (control end fitting) for a bend, twist, or 
breakage. If a control end fitting is bent, twisted, or broken, 
before further flight, replace the control end fitting with an 
airworthy control end fitting.
    (ii) Clean and dye penetrant inspect the star support pin for a 
crack in the areas identified as Zone X and Zone Y in Figure 3 of 
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC120-52A014, Revision 2, 
dated October 28, 2013 (ASB No. EC120-52A014) or Eurocopter Alert 
Service Bulletin No. EC130-52A009, Revision 1, dated January 25, 
2013 (ASB No. EC130-52A009), as applicable to your model helicopter. 
If there is a crack in the star support pin, before further flight, 
replace the star support pin with an airworthy star support pin.
    (iii) Reinforce the sliding door star support stringer by 
installing three carbon fiber plies and re-identify the sliding door 
by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2.d. 
and 3.B.2.e of ASB No. EC120-52A014, or paragraph 3.B.2.d. and the 
table under paragraph 3.C of ASB No. EC130-52A009, whichever is 
applicable to your model helicopter.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a 
sliding door P/N C526A2370101 on an EC120B helicopter, or a sliding 
door P/N C526S1101051 on an EC130B4 helicopter, unless the sliding 
door has been reinforced as required by paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of 
this AD.

(g) Credit for Actions Previously Completed

    Compliance with AD 2014-12-12 (79 FR 366838, June 30, 2014) 
before the effective date of this AD is considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding actions specified in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD.

(h) 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.

(i) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0020, dated February 11, 2015. You may 
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2016-3343.

(j) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5220, Emergency 
Exits.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 18, 2016.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-25748 Filed 10-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P