[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 8, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20751-20753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09740]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1124; Product Identifier 2017-SW-073-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, and AS332L1 
helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the jettisoning 
mechanism of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) cabin sliding plug 
doors. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that during a scheduled 
inspection a cabin door failed to jettison. The actions of this 
proposed AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 9, 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-2017-
1124; 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 proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 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 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.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.

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: 

[[Page 20752]]

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. 2017-0022, dated February 8, 
2017, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters (previously 
Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters 
equipped with a cabin sliding plug door modified in accordance with 
Airbus Helicopters modification (MOD) 0722338. Helicopters with 
Eurocopter MOD 0725366 are exempt from the EASA AD's requirements.
    EASA advises that the emergency jettison test of a cabin lateral 
sliding plug door failed during a scheduled inspection and test of the 
door's jettison mechanism. According to EASA, an investigation revealed 
that the jettison handle cable interfered with the cable clamps. EASA 
states that this condition could lead to jamming of the door 
jettisoning mechanism, preventing jettisoning of the affected door 
during an emergency, possibly obstructing evacuation of the occupants. 
The EASA AD consequently requires repetitive inspections of the 
jettisoning mechanism of the LH and RH door, followed by corrective 
actions if needed.

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-
52.00.56, Revision 0, dated January 30, 2017, which specifies pulling 
on the inner jettison handle to determine whether the cables come into 
contact with the cable clamps. If there is contact, this service 
information specifies changing the position of the cable clamps to 
prevent interference.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    We also reviewed Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 332-52.00.28, 
Revision 1, dated April 29, 1998, which contains procedures to improve 
the door jettison system. Eurocopter identifies compliance with this 
service information as MOD 0725366.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require before flight over water or within 
110 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever occurs first, inspecting the 
jettisoning mechanism of the LH and RH cabin doors for correct 
operation by pulling on the inner jettison handle to determine whether 
the cable clamp contacts the top and bottom horizontal cables. If there 
is contact between cable clamp and the horizontal cables, this proposed 
AD would require changing the position of the cable clamps to remove 
any contact.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires that the initial inspection occur during the 
next jettisoning test of the doors or within 110 flight hours, 
whichever occurs first, and thereafter during certain maintenance 
tasks. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection within 110 
hours TIS or prior to flying over water.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 19 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect that inspecting the jettisoning mechanism 
and changing the orientation of the cable clamps, if necessary, would 
require 4 work-hours. No parts would be required for a total cost of 
$340 per helicopter and $6,460 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, 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.

[[Page 20753]]

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-2017-1124; Product Identifier 
2017-SW-073-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, 
AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, certificated in any category, with 
a cabin sliding plug door installed in accordance with Airbus 
Helicopters modification (MOD) 0722338, except helicopters with a 
plug door jettison system installed in accordance with MOD 0725366.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a cabin 
sliding door to jettison, which could prevent helicopter occupants 
from evacuating the helicopter during an emergency.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 9, 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 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the next 
operation over water, whichever occurs first, inspect the 
jettisoning mechanism of the left-hand and right-hand cabin doors 
for correct operation:
    (1) Pull the jettisoning handle and determine whether the cable 
clamp contacts the top or bottom horizontal cables, using as a 
reference the photographs under paragraph 3.B.2 of Airbus 
Helicopters ASB No. AS332-52.00.56, Revision 0, dated January 30, 
2017 (ASB).
    (2) If there is contact between a cable clamp and a horizontal 
cable, before further flight, install both cable clamps as depicted 
in the bottom photograph under paragraph 3.B.2 of the ASB.

(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

    (1) Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 332-52.00.28, Revision 1, 
dated April 29, 1998, which is not incorporated by reference, 
contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For 
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. 
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.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2017-0022, dated February 8, 2017. 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: 5200, Doors.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 1, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-09740 Filed 5-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P