[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 32 (Friday, February 17, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10971-10973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02858]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0068; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-076-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Romtex Anjou Aeronautique (Romtex) 
Torso Restraint Systems

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 
Romtex torso restraint systems (restraint systems) installed on but not 
limited to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2, AS350B3, EC130B4, EC130T2, 
and AS355NP helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing 
certain restraint system buckles. This proposed AD is prompted by a 
report of several restraint system buckle knobs breaking. The proposed 
actions are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2017.

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-2017-
0068; 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 
Romtex Anjou Aeronautique, Strada Livezii nr. 98, 550042, Sibiu, 
Romania; telephone +40 269 243 918; email [email protected]. 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: 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 document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include

[[Page 10972]]

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. 2014-0279, dated December 19, 
2014, to correct an unsafe condition for Romtex Model 358 torso 
restraint systems installed on Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2, 
AS350B2, and AS350B3 helicopters. EASA advises that ruptures have 
occurred on the upper side (knob) of several rotary buckles installed 
on these restraint systems. EASA further states an investigation 
revealed the material used in two batches of the rotary buckle sub-
assembly (buckle assembly) were altered by a supplier, resulting in a 
specification different from the approved design data. The EASA AD 
states that this condition could prevent the release of the restraint 
system straps as intended after an emergency landing. To address this 
unsafe condition, the EASA AD requires inspecting the buckle assembly 
for proper operation, replacing or marking as inoperative any buckle 
assembly that fails to release the straps before further flight, and 
replacing all buckle assemblies within 6 months. The EASA AD also 
prohibits installing these buckle assemblies on any aircraft.

FAA's Determination

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Romania and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with Romania, 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 Romtex Service Bulletin No. 358SB-14-101, Revision 1, 
dated December 12, 2014 (SB 358SB-14-101), which specifies removing 
from service certain part-numbered and serial-numbered buckle 
assemblies, consisting of the rotary buckle, belt, and attachment.
    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

    For buckle assemblies with a part number and serial number 
identified in Romtex SB 358SB-14-101, this proposed AD would require, 
within 30 hours, inspecting the buckle assembly to determine whether 
the straps release. If the buckle fails to release the straps, this 
proposed AD would require marking the seat as inoperative and replacing 
the buckle assembly within 180 hours TIS. If the buckle releases the 
straps, this proposed AD would require replacing the buckle assembly 
within 180 hours. The proposed AD would also prohibit installing the 
affected buckle assemblies on any helicopter.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires compliance within 30 days for the buckle 
inspection and 6 months for replacement; this proposed AD would require 
the inspection within 30 hours TIS and replacement within 180 hours 
TIS. The EASA AD does not apply to Model EC130B4 and AS355NP 
helicopters, and this proposed AD would.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 893 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 hour, 
inspecting the buckle assembly would require about .5 work-hour, for a 
cost per helicopter of $43 and a total cost of $38,399 for the fleet. 
Replacing each buckle assembly would require about .5 work-hour, and 
required parts would cost $42,000, for a cost per helicopter of $42,043 
and a total cost to U.S. operators of $37,544,399.
    According to the Romtex service information, some of the costs of 
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the 
cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty 
coverage by Romtex. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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:

[[Page 10973]]

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):

Romtex Anjou Aeronautique (Romtex) Torso Restraint Systems: Docket 
No. FAA-2017-0068; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-076-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Romtex torso restraint systems (restraint 
systems) with a rotary buckle sub-assembly (buckle assembly) with a 
part number and serial number as listed in the Effectivity, 
paragraph 1.2, of Romtex Service Bulletin No. 358SB-14-101, Revision 
1, dated December 12, 2014. These restraint systems are installed 
on, but not limited to, Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2, AS350B3, 
EC130B4, EC130T2, and AS355NP helicopters, certificated in any 
category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a broken buckle knob. 
This condition could result in a restraint system strap failing to 
release from the buckle, preventing occupants from exiting the 
helicopter during an emergency.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 18, 2017.

(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 30 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect each 
restraint system for correct operation.
    (i) If the straps do not release from the buckle assembly, 
placard the seat as inoperative. Within 180 hours TIS, replace the 
buckle assembly with a buckle assembly not identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD.
    (ii) If the straps release, within 180 hours TIS, replace the 
buckle assembly with a buckle assembly not identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD.
    (2) Do not install a restraint system with a buckle assembly 
identified in paragraph (a) of this AD on any helicopter.

(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. 2014-0279, dated December 19, 2014. You may 
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
the AD Docket.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2500 Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 24, 2017.
Lance T. Gant,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-02858 Filed 2-16-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P