[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 8, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19707-19709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07354]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0214; Product Identifier 2018-SW-039-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 EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD 
was prompted by a mechanical deformation found on the protective cover 
of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton installed on a copilot collective 
stick. This proposed AD would require modification of the helicopter by 
replacing the protective cover and re-identifying the part number (P/N) 
of the pilot and copilot collective sticks. 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 May 26, 
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, 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.

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-
0214; 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: Clark Davenport, Flight Test Analyst, 
Flight Test Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
telephone (817) 222-5151; 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-2020-0214; 
Product Identifier 2018-SW-039-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 No. 2018-0106, 
dated May 10, 2018 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct 
an unsafe condition for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP 
helicopters. EASA advises that mechanical deformation was found on the 
protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton on a copilot 
collective stick. The root cause for the deformation was identified as 
incorrect handling. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to 
unintended shearing of the hoist cable, possibly resulting in loss of a 
hoisted load or person(s). To address this unsafe condition, the EASA 
AD requires replacement of the protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' 
control pushbutton and re-identification (new AH P/N 704A41110149, new 
NSE MP/N 00014100AA) of the pilot and copilot collective sticks. The 
EASA AD also prohibits installation of the old design protective cover.
    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-2020-0214.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin EC225-67A017, 
Revision 0, dated March 26, 2018. This service information describes 
procedures for modification of the helicopter by replacing the 
protective

[[Page 19708]]

cover of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton and re-identifying the part 
number of the pilot and copilot collective sticks.
    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 
after evaluating all the relevant information and determining 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 accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 12 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170...........................          $2,632           $2,802          $33,624
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    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty 
coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included 
all known costs in the cost estimate.

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 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-2020-0214; Product Identifier 
2018-SW-039-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by May 26, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System/Component Codes (JASC) Code 67, Rotorcraft 
Flight Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mechanical deformation found on the 
protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton installed on a 
copilot collective stick. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this 
condition, which could lead to unintended shearing of the hoist 
cable, possibly resulting in loss of a hoisted load or person(s).

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definitions

    For the purposes of this AD, the definitions specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD apply.
    (1) Affected part: A pilot or copilot collective stick having 
part number (P/N) 704A41110139, equipment manufacturer NSE P/N 
N2000355.
    (2) Group 1 helicopters: Helicopters that have an affected part 
installed.
    (3) Group 2 helicopters: Helicopters that do not have an 
affected part installed. A helicopter that has embodied Airbus 
Helicopters Modification 332P084165 in production is a Group 2 
helicopter, provided that helicopter remains in that configuration.

(h) Required Actions

    For Group 1 helicopters: At the applicable time specified in 
Table 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD, modify the helicopter by 
replacing the protective cover of the ``SHEAR'' control pushbutton 
and re-identifying the part number of the pilot and copilot 
collective sticks, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin EC225-
67A017, Revision 0, dated March 26, 2018.

[[Page 19709]]

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(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    At the applicable times specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) 
of this AD: Do not install on any helicopter a ``SHEAR'' control 
pushbutton protective cover having P/N 700070 on the pilot or 
copilot collective stick, and do not install on any helicopter a 
pilot or copilot collective stick having P/N 704A41110139 (equipment 
manufacturer NSE P/N N2000355).
    (1) For Group 1 helicopters: After modification of the 
helicopter as required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (2) For Group 2 helicopters: From the effective date of this AD.

(j) 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: 
Clark Davenport, Flight Test Analyst, Flight Test Branch, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5151; 
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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) 
(EASA) AD No. 2018-0106, dated May 10, 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-
2020-0214.
    (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.

    Issued on April 3, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-07354 Filed 4-7-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P