[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 11, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14178-14180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04972]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0239; Product Identifier 2018-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. This proposed AD 
was prompted by a report that a changed manufacturing process for the 
tail rotor blades (TRB) was implemented, affecting the structural 
characteristics of the blades and generating a new part number for 
these blades. This proposed AD would require re-identifying each 
affected TRB having a certain part number and serial number and 
establishing a life limit for the new part numbers. This AD also 
prohibits installation of any affected TRB identified with the old part 
number on any helicopter. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 27, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus 
Helicopters,

[[Page 14179]]

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 this service 
information at the 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0239; 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 NPRM, the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI), 
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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5485; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0239; 
Product Identifier 2018-SW-073-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously European 
Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the 
Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0183, 
dated August 28, 2018 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus EC120 B helicopters. EASA 
advises that a changed manufacturing process for TRBs was implemented, 
affecting the structural characteristic of the TRBs and generating a 
new part number for these blades. Because this is a newly established 
part number, no service life limit currently exists for this part. This 
EASA AD identifies a service life limit for the new TRB part numbers, 
which, if not required, might result in TRBs exceeding their service 
life limit. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss of the 
TRB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The EASA AD also 
prohibits installation of any affected TRB identified with the old part 
number on any helicopter and prohibits rework, repair, or modification 
of any affected part.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0239.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin EC120-04A008, 
dated July 18, 2018 (``ASB EC120-04A008''). This service information 
describes procedures for re-identifying a TRB with P/N C642A0300103 for 
certain serial numbers as specified in ASB EC120-04A008.
    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.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, 
the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
and service information referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD 
because the FAA evaluated all the relevant information and determined 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of the same type design.

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require re-identifying each affected TRB 
with a new part number, establishing a life limit for the new TRB part 
number, and prohibiting installation of any affected TRB having the old 
part number.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 94 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

                                     Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................           ** $0              $85         * $7,990
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* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable providing cost estimates for the additional
  applicable maintenance instructions specified in this proposed AD.
** The FAA has received no definitive data on the parts cost.

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.

[[Page 14180]]

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 above, 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-2020-0239; Product Identifier 
2018-SW-073-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by April 27, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code 6410, Tail rotor 
blades.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that a new manufacturing 
process for the tail rotor blades (TRBs) has been implemented, 
affecting the structural characteristics of the TRB and generating a 
new part number (P/N) for these blades. It was determined that a new 
life limit is needed for the new P/N TRBs. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to ensure the new P/N TRBs do not exceed their life limit, which 
could lead to loss of the TRB and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Definition of an Affected Part for Re-identification and Validation 
of Rework/Repair/Modification

    An ``affected part'' is a TRB having P/N C642A0300103 and a 
serial number specified in Appendix 4.A. of Airbus Helicopters Alert 
Service Bulletin EC120-04A008, dated July 18, 2018 (``ASB EC120-
04A008'').

(h) Part Replacement (Life Limit Implementation)

    Before exceeding 8,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) since first 
installation on a helicopter: Remove from service each TRB having P/
N C642A0300104 or P/N C642A0300105.

(i) Part Re-Identification and Validation of Rework/Repair/Modification

    (1) Within 1,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD: 
Re-identify each affected part in accordance with 3.B. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of ASB EC120-04A008.
    (2) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, for 
each affected part which has been subject to rework, repair, or 
modification before the re-identification as required by paragraph 
(i)(1) of this AD, contact the Manager, Safety Management Section, 
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, for additional applicable 
maintenance instructions and, within the compliance time identified 
in those instructions, accomplish those instructions accordingly.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition and Rework/Repair/Modification 
Limitation

    (1) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
TRB having P/N C642A0300103 and a serial number specified in 
Appendix 4.A. of ASB EC120-04A008 on any helicopter.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may 
accomplish any rework, repair, or modification of an affected part, 
unless it has been determined that the rework, repair, or 
modification is FAA-approved for P/N C642A0300105.

(k) 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: 
Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, 
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, 
TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5485; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) 
(EASA) AD 2018-0183, dated August 28, 2018. This EASA AD may be 
found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2020-0239.
    (2) 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 this service information at the 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.

    Issued on March 4, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-04972 Filed 3-10-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P