[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 79 (Thursday, April 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22584-22586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08531]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0404; Product Identifier 2015-SW-066-AD; Amendment 
39-21112; AD 2020-09-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Previously 
Eurocopter France)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-24-04 
for Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model AS355E, AS355F, 
AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. AD 2008-24-04 required 
repetitively inspecting the lubricating pump and checking the magnetic 
chip detector plug (chip detector) and the main gearbox (MGB) oil-sight 
glass. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2008-24-04 and allows 
the option of altering the MGB oil flow distribution as a terminating 
action for the inspections. This AD was prompted by an alteration 
developed by Airbus Helicopters of the MGB oil flow distribution that 
corrects the unsafe condition. The actions of this AD are intended to 
address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 28, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 28, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
December 30, 2008 (73 FR 71530, November 25, 2008).

ADDRESSES: 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 this referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, 
Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0404.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2017-0404; 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, the European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) 
(EASA) AD, any service information that is incorporated by reference, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to remove AD 2008-24-04, Amendment 39-15744 (73 FR 71530, 
November 25, 2008) (``AD 2008-24-04'') and add a new AD. AD 2008-24-04 
applied to Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on December 31, 2019 (84 FR 72254). The NPRM 
proposed to continue to require the requirements of AD 2008-24-04 of 
repetitively inspecting the lubricating pump and checking the chip 
detector and the MGB oil-sight glass. The NPRM proposed to add an 
option to alter the lubrication system (modification (MOD) 077222) as a 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. For those 
helicopters that incorporate Mod 077222, the NPRM also proposed to 
require using mineral oil 0-155 in the combiner gearbox instead of 
synthetic oil 0-156. This NPRM proposed to exclude helicopters with MOD 
077222 from the applicability. An owner/operator (pilot) may perform 
the visual checks proposed by the NPRM and must enter compliance with 
that paragraph into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance 
with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Sec. Sec.  
[thinsp]43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may 
perform this check because it involves only a visual check and can be 
performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic. This check is an 
exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2007-0209R1, dated September 
11, 2015 (EASA AD 2007-0209R1), issued by EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA AD 2007-0209R1 
followed the issuance of service information by Airbus Helicopters to 
provide procedures for Airbus Helicopters MOD 077222, which improves 
the distribution of the oil flow between the accessory modules of the 
combiner gearbox and the MGB. EASA advises that Airbus Helicopters MOD 
077222 provides the same level of safety as the MGB pump inspections. 
Accordingly, the EASA AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters with a lubrication 
pump part number 355A32-0700-01, 355A32-0700-02, or 355A32-0701-00 
installed, except those with Airbus Helicopters MOD 077222 installed, 
and requires repetitive MGB pump inspections and chip detector and MGB 
oil-sight glass checks, and allows MOD 077222 as optional terminating 
action for the repetitive inspections.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this AD, but the FAA did not receive any comments on the 
NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the

[[Page 22585]]

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 and that air 
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as 
proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires that the initial and repetitive MGB oil 
inspections be conducted after the last flight of each day without 
exceeding 10 flight hours between two successive checks. This AD 
requires those inspections before the first flight of each day and at 
intervals not to exceed 10 hours time-in-service.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
05.00.51, dated July 9, 2007 (ASB 05.00.51), and Airbus Helicopters ASB 
No. 05.00.51, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2015. This service information 
contains procedures for monitoring the MGB oil pump for wear. Revision 
1 of this service information omits helicopters with MOD 077222 
installed.
    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin No. 
AS355-63.00.25, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2015, and Revision 2, dated 
June 22, 2017. This service information contains procedures for 
altering the lubrication system to increase oil flow between the 
accessory modules of the combiner gearbox and the MGB. This service 
information also specifies using mineral oil 0-155 in the combiner 
gearbox instead of synthetic oil 0-156 after completing the alteration. 
Airbus Helicopters identifies this alteration as MOD 077222. Revision 2 
of this service information clarifies a procedure and updates a work 
card.
    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

    The FAA reviewed Eurocopter Emergency ASB No. 05.00.40, Revision 3, 
dated July 9, 2007. This service information specifies inspecting the 
MGB magnetic plug for sludge and oil sight for color. If there is 
sludge or if the oil is dark or dark purple, this service information 
specifies removing the lubrication pump and inspecting it for certain 
conditions, and replacing it as necessary. Revision 3 of this service 
information informs operators that this service information is 
superseded by ASB 05.00.51.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 46 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD.
     Checking the MGB oil and chip detector condition takes 
about 0.25 work-hour for an estimated cost of about $21 per helicopter 
and $966 for the U.S. fleet per check.
     Inspecting the lubricating pump takes about 1 work-hour 
for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $3,910 for the U.S. 
fleet per inspection.
     Replacing the MGB and pump takes about 8 work-hours and 
costs about $64,000 (overhauled) in parts for an estimated cost of 
$64,680 per helicopter.
     Altering the lubrication system (optional MOD 077222) 
takes about 4 work-hours and costs about $2,335 in parts for an 
estimated cost of $2,675 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 has 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 above, I certify that this AD:
    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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2008-24-04, Amendment 39-15744 (73 FR 71530, November 25, 2008), and 
adding the following new AD:

2020-09-01 Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France): 
Amendment 39-21112; Docket No. FAA-2017-0404; Product Identifier 
2015-SW-066-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter 
France) Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a main gearbox (MGB) 
lubrication pump (pump) part number 355A32-0700-01, 355A32-0700-02, 
or 355A32-0701-00, except helicopters with Modification (MOD) 077222 
installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as insufficient lubrication 
within an MGB. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could 
result in failure of the MGB pump, seizure of the MGB, loss of drive 
to an engine and main rotor, and subsequent loss of helicopter 
control.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2008-24-04, Amendment 39-15744 (73 FR 71530, 
November 25, 2008).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 28, 2020.

(e) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the

[[Page 22586]]

specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished 
prior to that time.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Before the first flight of each day and at intervals not to 
exceed 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), check the MGB magnetic chip 
detector plug (chip detector) for any sludge. Also, check for dark 
oil in the MGB oil-sight glass. The actions required by this 
paragraph may be performed by an owner/operator (pilot) holding at 
least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the 
aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 
Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Sec. Sec.  
[thinsp]43.9 (a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The 
record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 
135.439. ``Sludge'' is a deposit on the chip detector that is 
typically dark in color and in the form of a film or paste, as 
compared to metal chips or particles normally found on a chip 
detector. Sludge may have both metallic or nonmetallic properties, 
may consist of copper (pinion bearing), magnesium (pump case), and 
steel (pinion) from the oil pump, and a nonmetallic substance from 
the chemical breakdown of the oil as it interacts with the metal.
    (i) Before further flight, if any sludge is found on the chip 
detector, remove, open, and inspect the pump.
    (ii) Before further flight, if the oil appears dark in color 
when it is observed through the MGB oil-sight glass, take an oil 
sample. If the oil taken in the sample is dark or dark purple, 
before further flight, remove, open, and inspect the pump.
    (2) Within 25 hours TIS, after operating both engines at normal 
operating revolutions per minute (RPM) for at least 20 minutes to 
ensure the MGB oil temperature has stabilized, inspect the oil pump 
for wear by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
2.B.2., steps 1. through 6., of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. 05.00.51, dated July 9, 2007 (ASB 05.00.51), or Airbus 
Helicopters ASB No. 05.00.51, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2015 (ASB 
05.00.51 Rev 1).
    (i) Record the outside air temperature (OAT) and rotor speed (NR 
RPM) and plot the point at which they intersect using the graph in 
Figure 1 or 2 of ASB 05.00.51 or ASB 05.00.51 Rev 1.
    (ii) If the point on the graph at the intersection of the 
recorded OAT and the NR RPM falls within:
    (A) Zone 3--Before further flight, replace the MGB and pump with 
an airworthy MGB and pump.
    (B) Zone 2--At intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, repeat the 
inspection procedures by following the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2.B.2, steps 1. through 6., of ASB 05.00.51 or ASB 
05.00.51 Rev 1. After being classified in ``Zone 2,'' you must 
obtain two successive inspections separated by at least 24 hours TIS 
that fall within Zone 1 before you can begin to inspect at intervals 
not to exceed 110 hours TIS by following paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(C) of 
this AD for Zone 1.
    (C) Zone 1--At intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, repeat the 
inspection procedures by following the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2.B.2., steps 1. through 6., of ASB 05.00.51 or ASB 
05.00.51 Rev 1.
    (iii) Compliance with paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD 
constitutes terminating action for the checks and inspections 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (3) As an optional terminating action for the requirements in 
this AD, alter the lubrication system for the MGB in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2.a. through 3.B.3 
of Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin No. AS355-63.00.25, Revision 
1, dated July 29, 2015, or Revision 2, dated June 22, 2017. Mineral 
oil 0-155 is required after compliance with this alteration.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(3) of this AD:  Airbus Helicopters 
identifies alteration of the lubrication system as MOD 077222.

(g) 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: 
James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations & Policy 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.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.40, 
Revision 3, dated July 9, 2007, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, use the contact 
information in paragraphs (j)(5) and (6).
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) 
(EASA) AD No. 2007-0209R1, dated September 11, 2015. You may view 
the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2017-0404.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320, Main Rotor 
Gearbox.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
May 28, 2020.
    (i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.51, 
Revision 1, dated July 29, 2015.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin No. AS355-63.00.25, 
Revision 1, dated July 29, 2015.
    (iii) Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin No. AS355-63.00.25, 
Revision 2, dated June 22, 2017.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
December 30, 2008 (73 FR 71530, November 25, 2008).
    (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.51, dated July 
9, 2007.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For Airbus Helicopters and Eurocopter 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.
    (6) You may view this service information at 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.
    (7) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on April 17, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08531 Filed 4-22-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P