[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 41 (Friday, March 3, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12424-12426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04116]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5019; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-079-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and 
EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the 
sliding cabin doors. This proposed AD is prompted by the failure of the 
sliding door's jettison mechanism due to corrosion. The proposed 
actions are intended to address the unsafe condition in these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 2, 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-2016-
5019; 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 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

[[Page 12425]]

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 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. 2015-0156, dated July 29, 2015, 
and corrected July 30, 2015, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 
helicopters manufactured before July 14, 2014, and equipped with cabin 
sliding plug doors (sliding doors) modified in accordance with Airbus 
Helicopters modification (MOD) AL25612 or 0725870. EASA AD No. 2015-
0156 also applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters 
manufactured before July 14, 2014, and equipped with sliding doors.
    EASA advises that the sliding door's emergency jettisoning 
mechanism failed during a scheduled inspection and that a subsequent 
investigation found significant corrosion damage caused by water that 
accumulated after a plastic-rubber compound obstructed the water drain 
of the door's jettison mechanism system. This condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to jamming of the jettisoning 
mechanism, possibly preventing the jettisoning of the door during an 
emergency and jeopardizing the safe evacuation of occupants, EASA 
advises.
    To address this unsafe condition, EASA AD No. 2015-0156 requires a 
one-time inspection of the left hand and right hand sliding doors for 
corrosion.

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 Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-
53.01.86, Revision 1, dated June 29, 2015 (ASB AS332-53.01.86), for 
Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters and 
military model AS332B, B1, F1, M, and M1 helicopters; and Alert Service 
Bulletin No. EC225-53A048, Revision 0, dated August 18, 2014 (ASB 
EC225-53A048), for Model EC225LP helicopters. ASB AS332-53.01.86 and 
ASB EC225-53A048 specify checking areas of the emergency jettisoning 
system of the sliding doors for the absence of sealing compound, for 
corrosion on the visible surfaces of the bracket, for the absence of 
interference between the stainless steel pipe and the aluminum bracket, 
and for non-obstruction of the drain.
    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 30 days, visually inspecting 
the left-hand and right-hand sliding doors for sealing compound and 
removing any sealing compound.
    This proposed AD also would require inspecting all visible bracket 
surfaces for corrosion. If there is any corrosion, this proposed AD 
would require removing the corrosion, measuring the corrosion depth, 
and performing a jettisoning test. If the measured corrosion depth is 
less than 0.5 mm and the door passes the test, this proposed AD would 
require applying corrosion protectant. If the measured corrosion depth 
is 0.5 mm or more and the door passes the test, this proposed AD would 
require applying corrosion protectant, retesting at intervals not to 
exceed two months, and then replacing the jettisoning system within 6 
months. If the door does not pass the test, this proposed AD would 
require replacing the jettisoning system before further flight.
    This proposed AD would also require measuring the clearance between 
the bracket and stainless steel pipe. If the clearance is less than 3 
mm, this proposed AD would require removing the lockwire from the 
union, loosening the unions of the air vent pipe, positioning the 
support and the air vent pipe to ensure a minimum clearance of 3 mm. 
This proposed AD would then require tightening the support and unions 
of the pipe and safety the union using lockwire.
    For Model EC225LP helicopters and Model AS332-series helicopters 
with modification AL25612, this proposed AD would require inspecting 
for drain obstruction and, if the drain is obstructed, removing the 
sealing compound and adhesive from the gutter in the bracket area and 
unclogging the drain and gutter. This proposed AD would then require 
cleaning the gutter, applying adhesive to the gutter, and applying 
sealing compound.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires compliance within various times, depending on 
the helicopter model and modifications. This proposed AD would require 
compliance within 30 days.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 24 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect that visually inspecting for corrosion would 
require 1 work-hour and no parts for a total cost of $85 per 
helicopter, and $2,040 for the U.S. fleet. Replacing corroded parts 
would require 8 work-hours and parts would cost $500 for a total cost 
of $1,180 per helicopter. Replacing the door jettisoning system would 
require 16 work-hours and parts would cost $4,500 for a total cost of 
$5,860 per helicopter.

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

[[Page 12426]]

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: Docket No. FAA-2016-5019; Directorate Identifier 
2015-SW-079-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Airbus Helicopters, 
certificated in any category:
    (1) Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 
helicopters with a date of manufacture on or before July 14, 2014, 
and with a sliding cabin plug door (sliding door) with Airbus 
Helicopters modification AL25612 or 0725870 installed; and
    (2) Model EC225LP helicopters with a date of manufacture on or 
before July 14, 2014.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as corrosion of a 
jettisoning mechanism which, if not detected and corrected, could 
result in failure of a sliding door to jettison, preventing 
occupants from exiting the helicopter during an emergency.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 2, 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

    Within 30 days:
    (1) Visually inspect the left-hand and right-hand sliding doors 
for sealing compound as shown in Figure 1 of Airbus Helicopters 
Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-53.01.86, Revision 1, dated June 
29, 2015 (ASB AS332-53.01.86), or Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 
Bulletin No. EC225-53A048, Revision 0, dated August 18, 2014 (ASB 
EC225-53A048), as applicable for your model helicopter. Remove any 
sealing compound.
    (2) Inspect all visible bracket surfaces for corrosion. If there 
is any corrosion, remove the corrosion and measure the corrosion 
depth.
    (i) If the measured corrosion depth is less than 0.5 mm, perform 
a jettisoning test. If the door passes the test, apply corrosion 
protectant. If the door does not pass the test, replace the 
jettisoning system before further flight.
    (ii) If the measured corrosion depth is 0.5 mm or more, perform 
a jettisoning test. If the door passes the test, apply corrosion 
protectant, perform a jettisoning test at intervals not to exceed 
two months for not more than six months, and replace the jettisoning 
system within six months. If the door does not pass the test, 
replace the jettisoning system before further flight.
    (3) Measure the clearance between the bracket and stainless 
steel pipe. If the clearance is less than 3 mm, remove the lockwire 
from the union and loosen the unions of the air vent pipe. Position 
the support and the air vent pipe to ensure a minimum clearance of 3 
mm. Tighten the support and unions of the pipe and safety the union 
using lockwire.
    (4) For Model EC225LP helicopters and Model AS332-series 
helicopters with modification AL25612, inspect for drain obstruction 
by compressing the middle rail roller well piston and injecting 
distilled water through the roller well to determine if the water 
drains. If the drain is obstructed, remove the sealing compound and 
adhesive from the gutter in the bracket area. Remove the drain from 
the gutter and unclog the drain and gutter using a spatula or brush. 
Clean the gutter on the bracket side and the drain. Apply adhesive 
to the gutter and then slide in the drain. Allow the adhesive to dry 
and then apply sealing compound.

(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. 2015-0156, dated July 29, 2015, and corrected 
July 30, 2015. 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: 5220, Emergency 
Exits.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 23, 2017.
Lance T. Gant,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-04116 Filed 3-2-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P