[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 78 (Monday, April 23, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17617-17619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08096]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0237; Product Identifier 2017-SW-145-AD; Amendment 
39-19254; AD 2018-08-01]
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 EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each 
main rotor rotating swashplate (swashplate) control rod attachment yoke 
(yoke). This AD is prompted by a finding that the yoke is susceptible 
to cracking. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 8, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of May 8, 2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by June 22, 2018.

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-2018-
0237; or in person at Docket Operations 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 
Docket Operations (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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical_Support_73.html">http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical_Support_73.html. 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 available 
on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0237.

[[Page 17618]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
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. 2017-0191R2, dated December 15, 
2017, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model EC 
225 LP helicopters with swashplate part number (P/N) 332A31-3074-00 or 
P/N 332A31-3074-01 installed. EASA advises of a finding by Airbus 
Helicopters that the yoke is susceptible to cracking due to strain 
aging of the metal. EASA advises that this condition, if not detected 
and corrected, could lead to structural failure of a yoke, possibly 
resulting in loss of control of the helicopter.
    Accordingly, the EASA AD requires, for swashplates that are seven 
or more years old, a recurring inspection of the five yokes for a crack 
and a one-time inspection of the yokes for corrosion and a crack. If 
there is a crack or corrosion on a yoke, the EASA AD requires replacing 
the swashplate or repairing and reworking the yokes.

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

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters has issued one document that co-publishes two 
Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) identification numbers: No. 
05A051 for Model EC225LP helicopters and No. 05A046 for non-FAA type-
certificated Model EC725AP helicopters, both Revision 1 and both dated 
November 16, 2017. Airbus Helicopters EASB No. 05A051 is incorporated 
by reference in this AD. Airbus Helicopters EASB No. 05A046 is not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.
    This service information specifies inspections for certain serial-
numbered swashplate P/N 332A31-3074-00 and P/N 332A31-3074-01. This 
service information specifies a repetitive inspection of the yokes for 
a crack and a one-time inspection of the stripped yokes for corrosion 
and a crack. If in doubt about whether there is a crack, this service 
information specifies performing a non-destructive inspection. This 
service information also specifies touching up the swashplate if there 
is corrosion, removing any damage within allowable limits, and 
refinishing the yokes. If there is a crack in a yoke, this service 
information specifies replacing the swashplate.
    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 a repetitive visual inspection of the five yokes 
for a crack every 15 hours time-in-service (TIS), and replacing the 
swashplate if there is a crack in any of the yokes.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD specifies performing a non-destructive inspection if in 
doubt about if there is a crack and removing damage within allowable 
limits, whereas this AD does not. The EASA AD also specifies stripping 
the yokes and performing a one-time inspection within 100 hours TIS for 
corrosion and a crack, and this AD does not. We plan to publish a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to give the public an opportunity to 
comment on this long-term requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 5 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.
    Inspecting the yokes takes about 0.25 work-hour for an estimated 
cost of $21 per helicopter and $105 for the U.S. fleet per inspection 
cycle. Replacing a swashplate takes about 6 work-hours and parts cost 
about $82,000 for an estimated cost of $82,510 per helicopter.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the required corrective action must be completed within 15 
hours TIS. Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity 
for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reason 
stated above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment 
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.

[[Page 17619]]

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):

2018-08-01 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-19254; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0237; Product Identifier 2017-SW-145-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC225LP helicopters, certificated in 
any category, with a main rotor (M/R) rotating swashplate 
(swashplate) part number (P/N) 332A31-3074-00 or P/N 332A31-3074-01 
with a serial number listed in Appendix 4.A. of Airbus Helicopters 
Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05A051, Revision 1, dated 
November 16, 2017 (EASB 05A051).

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a swashplate 
control rod attachment yoke (yoke). This condition could result in 
failure of the yoke, loss of M/R control, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 8, 2018.

(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 15 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 15 hours TIS, visually inspect each yoke for 
a crack, paying particular attention to the areas shown in Details 
B, C, and D of Figure 1 of EASB 05A051. If there is a crack on a 
yoke, before further flight, replace the swashplate.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2017-0191R2, dated December 15, 2017. You may 
view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2018-0237.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6230 Main Rotor 
Mast/Swashplate.

(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 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) 
No. 05A051, Revision 1, dated November 16, 2017.
    Note 1 to paragraph (i)(2)(i): Airbus Helicopters EASB No. 
05A051, Revision 1, dated November 16, 2017, is co-published as one 
document along with Airbus Helicopters EASB No. 05A046, Revision 1, 
dated November 16, 2017, which is not incorporated by reference in 
this AD.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Airbus Helicopter's service information identified in 
this AD, 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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical_Support_73.html.
    (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 April 11, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-08096 Filed 4-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P