[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7894-7897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02711]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0026; Product Identifier 2018-SW-052-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 
and EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD would require revising the 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter and either 
installing placards or removing the hoist arm. This proposed AD was 
prompted by a failure of a right-hand (RH) side lateral sliding plug 
door (sliding door) to jettison. The actions of this proposed AD are 
intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 13, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for

[[Page 7895]]

and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0026; 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 is listed above. 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 https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may 
view 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: Kristin Bradley, 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

    The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. The FAA also invites comments 
relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts 
that resulted 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 them only one time.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments received, as well as a 
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, 
the FAA will consider all the comments received on or before the 
closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after 
the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light 
of the comments received.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2018-0140-E, dated June 29, 2018 
(EASA AD 2018-0140-E), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 
Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale) 
Model AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, AS 332 L2, and EC 225 
LP helicopters. EASA advises that during a jettison test of the RH side 
sliding door, the sliding door became blocked between the hoist, 
airframe, and access step. Interference was identified between the 
hoist arm and the sliding door median fitting (reinforced bracket). 
EASA identifies the reinforced bracket as Airbus Helicopter 
modification (MOD) 0726841, which was required by EASA AD No. 2015-
0167, dated August 12, 2015. EASA states that this condition could 
prevent jettisoning of the RH sliding door in an emergency, 
subsequently obstructing evacuation, and possibly resulting in injury 
to occupants. To correct this unsafe condition, EASA AD 2018-0140-E 
requires removing the hoist arm, or alternatively revising the 
applicable RFM and installing placards to specify using the normal door 
handle instead of the jettison handle for the RH side sliding door.
    EASA states that Airbus Helicopters is developing a modification to 
eliminate the interference between the hoist arm and the reinforced 
bracket. As a result, EASA considers its AD an interim action and 
states that further AD action may follow.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA of the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after 
evaluating all information provided by EASA and determining the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters 
of these same type designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters has co-published as one document Emergency Alert 
Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 01.00.89, Revision 1, dated June 28, 2018, 
for Model AS332-series helicopters; No. 04A014, Revision 1, dated June 
28, 2018, for Model EC225 helicopters; and No. 01.00.52, Revision 1, 
dated June 28, 2018, for non-FAA type certificated Model AS532 
helicopters. EASB Nos. 01.00.89 and 04A014 are proposed for 
incorporation by reference in this proposed AD. EASB No. 01.00.52 is 
not proposed for incorporation by reference in this proposed AD. This 
service information provides pages to add to the emergency and normal 
procedures sections of the RFM, and specifies either removing the hoist 
arm or installing placards that require using the normal door handle 
instead of the jettison handle for the RH side sliding door. This 
service information further allows installing the placards during each 
installation of the hoist arm and removing the placards with each 
removal of the hoist arm.
    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

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. AS332-
52.00.43 for Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 
helicopters and SB No. EC225-52-008 for Model EC225LP helicopters, both 
Revision 0 and dated June 23, 2015. This service information contains 
procedures for installing the reinforced bracket identified as MOD 
0726841.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require revising the RFM for your helicopter 
by adding emergency and normal procedures and installing placards to 
require using the normal door handle instead of the jettison handle for 
the RH side sliding door. Alternatively, this proposed AD would allow 
removing the hoist arm instead of installing the placards.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires either removing the hoist arm or prohibiting 
use of the RH sliding door jettison handle by revising the RFM and 
installing placards. This proposed AD would require revising the 
applicable RFM for your helicopter regardless of whether the hoist arm 
is removed.

Interim Action

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

[[Page 7896]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 36 helicopters 
of U.S. Registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based 
on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD.
    Revising the RFM for your helicopter would take about 1 work-hour 
for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter or $3,060 for the U.S. 
fleet.
    Installing the placards would take about 1 work-hour for an 
estimated cost of $85 per helicopter or $3,060 for the U.S. fleet. 
Alternatively, removing the hoist arm would take about 1 work-hour for 
an estimated cost of $85 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 detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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.

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-2020-0026; Product Identifier 
2018-SW-052-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, 
AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in 
any category, with a hoist arm and with right-hand (RH) side lateral 
sliding plug door (sliding door) reinforced bracket modification 
(MOD) 0726841 installed.

    Note 1 to paragraph (a) of this AD:  Airbus Helicopters 
reinforced bracket MOD 0726841 may also be identified as sliding 
door median fitting reinforcement MOD 07.26841.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as interference between the 
hoist arm and the reinforced bracket resulting in failure of the 
sliding door to jettison. This condition could prevent helicopter 
occupants from evacuating the helicopter during an emergency.

(c) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by March 13, 2020.

(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 10 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Revise the Rotorcraft Flight Manual for your helicopter by 
inserting the Emergency Procedures page and the Normal Procedures 
page applicable to your helicopter model and configuration from 
Appendix 4.C. Flight Manual of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert 
Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 01.00.89, Revision 1, dated June 28, 
2018 (EASB 01.00.89), or Airbus Helicopters EASB No. 04A014, 
Revision 1, dated June 28, 2018 (EASB 04A014). Inserting a different 
document with information identical to that in Appendix 4.C. Flight 
Manual of EASB 01.00.89 or EASB 04A014 is acceptable for compliance 
with the requirements of this paragraph.
    (ii) Cover existing placards for each RH sliding door in 
accordance with Appendix 4.B. Masking Tapes and Labels (RH lateral 
sliding door) of EASB 01.00.89 or EASB 04A014.
    (iii) Install new placards in accordance with Appendix 4.A. 
Labels and Appendix 4.B. Masking Tapes and Labels (RH lateral 
sliding door) of EASB 01.00.89 or EASB 04A014.
    (2) After complying with paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, each time 
the hoist arm is removed from the helicopter, you may remove the 
markings and placards that are required by paragraphs (e)(1)(ii) and 
(iii) of this AD. Before the hoist arm is re-installed, you must re-
install the markings and placards that are required by paragraphs 
(e)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this AD.

(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: 
Kristin Bradley, 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, the FAA suggests 
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) Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin (SB) No. AS332-52.00.43 
and SB No. EC225-52-008, both Revision 0 and dated June 23, 2015, 
which are not incorporated by reference, contain 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 https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may view a copy of the 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. 2018-0140-E, dated June 29, 2018. You 
may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
in the AD Docket.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5200, Doors.


[[Page 7897]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 4, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-02711 Filed 2-11-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P