[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 175 (Monday, September 10, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45545-45548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19431]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0613; Product Identifier 2018-SW-041-AD; Amendment 
39-19391; AD 2018-18-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350BA 
helicopters with a Pall Aerospace Corporation inlet barrier filter 
(IBF) element. This AD requires revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual 
Supplement to

[[Page 45546]]

prohibit operating a helicopter with an IBF element in wet weather and 
replacing the IBF element if wet. This AD is prompted by a forced 
landing after an engine flameout. The actions of this AD are intended 
to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 25, 2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by November 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-2018-
0613; 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, 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 Pall 
Aerospace Corporation, 10540 Ridge Road, Suite 300, Newport Richey, 
Florida 34654; telephone 727-514-6491; email [email protected]; 
website www.pall.com/aerospace. 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: Todd Jackson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1701 
Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 30337, telephone 404-474-5567, 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

    In June 2017, we received a report of an incident involving an 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3 helicopter fitted with an IBF. The 
helicopter took off in heavy rain and experienced an engine flameout as 
the pilot increased power. The helicopter was less than 10 feet off the 
ground when the pilot was forced to land immediately. An inspection 
showed that violent water ingestion damaged six axial compressor 
blades. During our investigation, the FAA received additional reports 
of previous incidents of helicopters equipped with IBFs or induction 
filter installations experiencing abnormal engine operations during 
heavy precipitation.
    The FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin SW-17-30, 
dated October 13, 2017 \1\ (SAIB), to warn operators that persistent or 
heavy rains may result in the inlet barrier filter media collecting and 
retaining water. The SAIB recommended the following to affected owners 
and operators:
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    \1\ SAIB SW-17-30, dated October 13, 2017, may be viewed online 
at http://rgl/faa/gov.
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     Use IBF covers when the rotorcraft is parked or towed 
outside, particularly when precipitation is reported in the area;
     During the helicopter preflight inspection, visually 
inspect the inlet and filter to verify that the inlet and filter medium 
are dry and free of accumulated moisture;
     If the filter medium has moisture during the preflight 
inspection, or if the rotorcraft is operating in heavy precipitation, 
open the bypass doors if equipped; and
     When operating in precipitation, sudden and rapid power 
transients should be avoided whenever practical.

Action Since the SAIB Was Issued

    After the SAIB was issued, we continued to investigate this issue 
and determined that AD action was necessary for certain Pall 
Corporation IBF dry-media filter elements. Filters that have a 
hydrophobic coating resist water accumulation, while the dry-media 
filters that are the subject of this AD accumulate water. The risk of 
engine failure caused by the ingestion of an excessive amount of water 
through the IBF element results in an unsafe condition that requires AD 
action.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Pall Corporation Service Information Letter 
CE01301F2SINFOL, Revision A, dated July 15, 2015, which recommends 
covering the engine inlet if the helicopter is outside while not 
operating. The letter also recommends conducting pre-flight inspections 
to ensure the engine inlet is clear of water.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, within 30 days, revising the rotorcraft flight 
manual supplement by inserting Appendix A of this AD into the 
limitations section.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    The service information allows for removing water and reinstalling 
the IBF element if there is standing water on the engine inlet. This AD 
prohibits operation unless the IBF element is dry.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. The design approval 
holder is currently developing a modification that will address the 
unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is 
developed, approved, and available, we might consider additional 
rulemaking.

[[Page 45547]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 81 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Incorporating Appendix A of this AD into the rotorcraft 
flight manual requires 1 work-hour and no parts for a cost of $85 per 
helicopter and $6,885 for the U.S. fleet.
     Replacing the inlet barrier filter, if required, requires 
2 work-hours and parts cost $3,995 for a cost of $4,165 per filter 
replacement.

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 unsafe condition requires corrective action within 30 days. 
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.

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):

2018-18-12 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-19391; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0613; Product Identifier 2018-SW-041-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and 
AS350BA helicopters, certificated in any category, with a Pall 
Aerospace Inlet Barrier Filter element part number CE01301F2 or 
CE01301F2B installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as ingestion of an 
excessive amount of water by the engine. This condition could result 
in engine flame out and failure, leading to loss of helicopter 
control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 25, 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 30 days, revise the rotorcraft flight manual supplement 
(RFMS) by inserting Appendix A of this AD into the limitations 
section of the RFMS.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Send your proposal to: Todd Jackson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1701 
Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 30337, telephone 404-474-5567, 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.

(h) Additional Information

    Pall Corporation Service Information Letter CE01301F2SINFOL, 
Revision A, dated July 15, 2015, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Pall 
Aerospace Corporation, 10540 Ridge Road, Suite 300, Newport Richey, 
Florida 34654; telephone 727-514-6491; email [email protected]; 
website www.pall.com/aerospace. You may review this service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7160, Engine Air 
Intake System.

Appendix A to AD 2018-18-12

Rotorcraft Flight Manual Supplement

    (1) Helicopter operation is prohibited if the filter is wet or 
when visible moisture (rain/snow/ice/water) is present in the inlet 
or on the filter (inspect filter by hand for wetness). If the filter 
is wet, it must be dried or replaced prior to operation.
    (2) Helicopter flight is prohibited in visible moisture.
    (3) If the helicopter inadvertently enters precipitation (rain/
snow/ice/water), open bypass doors (if equipped), avoid sudden and 
rapid power transients, and land as soon as practical.
    (4) Inlet covers must be installed when the rotorcraft is not in 
flight to prevent moisture from collecting in the inlet or on the 
filter.
    (5) Inspect inlet and filter for visible moisture accumulation 
prior to flight. If moisture is present, helicopter operation is 
prohibited.


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    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 23, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19431 Filed 9-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P