[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 134 (Monday, July 13, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41910-41912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14940]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1099; Product Identifier 2018-SW-026-AD; Amendment 
39-21164; AD 2020-15-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters. This AD 
requires modifying the wiring of the attitude and heading reference 
system (AHRS) connector. This AD was prompted by a report of wiring of 
the AHRS contrary to approved design specifications. The actions of 
this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 17, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of August 17, 2020.

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 the 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-2019-
1099.

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-2019-
1099; 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 Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union 
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: George Schwab, 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:

Discussion

    On February 28, 2020, at 85 FR 11879, the FAA published a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register, which proposed to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters. The NPRM proposed to 
require modifying the wiring at connector 11 ALPHA based on the 
helicopter configuration and in accordance with specified portions of 
the applicable service information. The proposed requirements were 
intended to correct the AHRS wiring, and prevent the display of 
misleading attitude and vertical speed information and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions 
(IMC).
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2018-0069, dated March 26, 
2018, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC 155 B and EC 155 B1 helicopters. EASA advises that 
the AHRS1 and AHRS2 on Model EC 155-series helicopters use the same 
flight/ground signal contrary to the approved design specification, 
which requires the AHRS1 and AHRS2 to use independent signals to ensure 
redundancy. EASA states that if AHRS1 and AHRS2 both receive an 
incorrect ``ground'' status due to a single failure while in flight, it 
will generate an error in the computation of the attitude and vertical 
speed and, as a result, an incorrect display of these indications to 
the flight crew. EASA advises that this condition, if not corrected, 
could lead to erroneous attitude and vertical speed indications, 
resulting in increased workload for the flight crew and reduced control 
of the helicopter during flight in IMC.
    Accordingly, the EASA AD requires modifying the connection of 
connector 11 ALPHA, and based on the helicopter configuration, also 
modifying the wiring to connector 11 ALPHA.

[[Page 41911]]

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received comments from one 
commenter. The commenter commented in support of the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA has reviewed the relevant information and determined that 
an 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 compliance time for the EASA AD is within 7 or 12 months 
depending on helicopter configuration. The compliance time for this AD 
is before further flight in IMC or within 660 hours time-in-service, 
whichever occurs first.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. EC155-34A033, Revision 2, dated January 30, 2018. This service 
information specifies re-allocating the electronic board output 
connections by modifying the wiring of connector 11 ALPHA for 
helicopters with modification (MOD) 0722B51 installed and modifying the 
wiring to connector 11 ALPHA for those helicopters that also have a 
combined voice and flight data recording system (MOD 0731B89) 
installed.
    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC155-34A037, 
Revision 0, dated February 19, 2018. This service information specifies 
installing MOD 0722B51 by modifying the wiring of connector 11 ALPHA to 
separate the flight/ground information so the left-hand landing gear 
flight information is also used by the automatic pilot system as well 
as but separately from the right-hand landing gear flight information. 
This service information also specifies re-allocating the electronic 
board output connections by modifying the wiring of connector 11 ALPHA.
    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 also reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC155-34A033, 
Revision 0, dated July 19, 2017, and Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC155-
34A033, Revision 1, dated October 9, 2017. Revisions 0 and 1 of this 
service information contain the same procedures for modifying the 
wiring as Revision 2. However, Revision 1 clarifies the applicable 
helicopter configurations and updates the post-modification testing 
procedures, and Revision 2 clarifies the post-modification test 
procedures and updates a figure.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 17 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 
per work-hour.
    Modifying the wiring takes about 4 work-hours and parts cost about 
$20 for an estimated cost of $360 per helicopter and $6,120 for the 
U.S. fleet.

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 helicopters identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2020-15-01 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21164; Docket No. FAA-
2019-1099; Product Identifier 2018-SW-026-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC155B1 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as incorrect wiring of an 
attitude and heading reference system (AHRS). This condition could 
result in the display of misleading attitude and vertical speed 
information, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter in 
instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 17, 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

    Before further flight in IMC or within 660 hours time-in-
service, whichever occurs first:
    (1) For helicopters with wiring change modification (MOD) 
0722B51 installed, modify the wiring of connector 11 ALPHA as 
depicted in Figure 1 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. EC155-34A033, Revision 2, dated January 30, 2018 (ASB 
EC155-34A033). If a combined voice and flight data recording system 
(MOD 0731B89) is installed, also modify the wiring to connector 11 
ALPHA as depicted in Figure 2 of ASB EC155-34A033.
    (2) For helicopters without wiring change MOD 0722B51 installed, 
modify the wiring of connector 11 ALPHA as depicted in Figure 1 and 
Figure 2 of Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC155-34A037, Revision 0, 
dated February 19, 2018.

[[Page 41912]]

(f) Special Flight Permits

    A special flight permit may be issued for operation under visual 
flight rules only.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab, 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.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. EC155-
34A033, Revision 0, dated July 19, 2017, and Airbus Helicopters ASB 
No. EC155-34A033, Revision 1, dated October 9, 2017, 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 (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) No. 
2018-0069, dated March 26, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2019-1099.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3420, Attitude and 
Direction Data System.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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.
    (i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. EC155-
34A033, Revision 2, dated January 30, 2018.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC155-34A037, Revision 0, dated 
February 19, 2018.
    (3) For Airbus Helicopters 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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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 July 7, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-14940 Filed 7-10-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P