[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 138 (Friday, July 17, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43506-43508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15352]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0696; Product Identifier 2018-SW-019-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH and 
Eurocopter Canada Ltd.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-
26-02 for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, 
BO-105LS A-1, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters; and Eurocopter Canada Ltd. 
Model BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. AD 97-26-02 requires a repetitive 
visual inspection for cracks in the ribbed area of the main rotor (M/R) 
mast flange (flange), and depending on the outcome, replacing the M/R 
mast. Since the FAA issued AD 97-26-02, it has been determined that a 
certain reinforced M/R mast is not affected by this unsafe condition. 
This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 97-26-02 and 
remove the reinforced M/R mast from the applicability. 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 August 31, 
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 and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0696; 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 (now European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, the Transport Canada AD, 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 proposed 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior 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 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 only one time.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, 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 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.

Confidential Business Information

    Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial 
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by 
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), 
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to 
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is 
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and 
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you 
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page 
of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat 
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will 
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing 
CBI should be sent to Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as

[[Page 43507]]

CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    The FAA issued AD 97-26-02, Amendment 39-10245 (62 FR 65749, 
December 16, 1997) (``AD 97-26-02'') for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 
Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105LS A-1, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters and 
Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. AD 97-26-02 
requires a repetitive visual inspection for cracks in the ribbed area 
of the M/R flange and replacing the M/R mast if there is a crack. AD 
97-26-02 was prompted by Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) AD 97-275, effective 
September 25, 1997, issued by LBA, which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Deutschland 
GmbH Model BO 105 helicopters; and Transport Canada AD No. CF-97-18, 
dated September 30, 1997 (Transport Canada AD CF-97-18), issued by 
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, to 
correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model BO 105LS 
A-3 helicopters. The LBA and Transport Canada ADs required an immediate 
and repetitive visual inspection for a crack in the flange area after 
an M/R mast was found to have cracks of critical magnitude. The actions 
of AD 97-26-02 are intended to detect cracks in the flange, which could 
result in failure of the flange and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

Actions Since AD 97-26-02 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 97-26-02, EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA AD No. 
2018-0056, dated March 14, 2018, to correct an unsafe condition for 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (previously Eurocopter Deutschland 
GmbH, Eurocopter Hubschrauber GmbH, Messerschmitt-B[ouml]lkow-Blohm 
GmbH, Eurocopter Canada Ltd, Messerschmitt-B[ouml]lkow-Blohm Helicopter 
Canada Ltd.) Model BO105 A, BO105 C, BO105 D, BO105 LS A-1, BO105 LS A-
3 and BO105 S helicopters. The EASA AD advises of the transfer of type 
certificate responsibility of Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model BO-105LS A-3 
helicopters to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH and the determination that 
reinforced M/R mast part number (P/N) 4639 305 095 of M/R mast assembly 
P/N 4639 205 017, is not affected by this unsafe condition. The EASA AD 
retains the repetitive visual inspection requirements but only for 
helicopters with M/R mast P/N 4619 305 032 of M/R mast assembly P/N 
4638 205 005, and M/R mast P/N 4639 305 002 of M/R mast assembly P/N 
4639 205 017. With the transfer of type certificate responsibility of 
Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model BO-105LS A-3 helicopters, Transport Canada 
issued Transport Canada AD No. CF-1997-18R1, dated March 12, 2018, to 
cancel Transport Canada AD CF-97-18.
    Also, since the FAA issued AD 97-26-02, Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 
changed its name to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH. This proposed 
AD reflects that change and updates the contact information to obtain 
service documentation.

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 about the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD 
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that an 
unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other products of the 
same type designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Alert Service Bulletin 
No. ASB-BO 105-10-110, dated August 27, 1997. This service information 
specifies procedures for repetitive visual inspections of the flange 
for cracks.
    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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, before further flight and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service, 
visually inspecting the flange in the ribbed area for a crack using a 
5-power or higher magnifying glass. If a crack exists, this proposed AD 
would require removing from service the M/R mast and replacing it with 
an airworthy M/R mast.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters if there is a 
crack in the flange, whereas this proposed AD would require replacing 
the M/R mast instead. Also, the EASA AD applies to Model BO105 D and 
BO105 S helicopters; the proposed AD does not as these model 
helicopters are not type-certificated in the U.S.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 21 helicopters 
of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the 
following costs in order to comply with this proposed AD. Labor costs 
are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Inspecting the flange would take about 0.25 work-hour for an 
estimated cost of $21 per helicopter and $441 for the U.S. fleet per 
inspection cycle.
    Replacing the M/R mast would take about 8 work-hours and parts 
would cost about $30,000 for an estimated cost of $30,680 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.

[[Page 43508]]

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-26-02, Amendment 39-10245 
(62 FR 65749, December 16, 1997); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Type Certificate Previously 
Held by Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH and Eurocopter Canada Ltd.): 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0696; Product Identifier 2018-SW-019-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model BO-
105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, BO-105LS A-1, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with a main rotor (M/R) mast part 
number (P/N) 4619 305 032 of M/R mast assembly P/N 4638 205 005, or 
M/R mast P/N 4639 305 002 of M/R mast assembly P/N 4639 205 017.

    Note 1 to paragraph (a) of this AD:  M/R mast assembly P/N 4639 
205 017 may also contain reinforced M/R mast P/N 4639 305 095, which 
is not affected by this AD.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as cracks in the M/R mast 
flange (flange). This condition could result in failure of the 
flange and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 97-26-02, Amendment 39-10245 (62 FR 65749, 
December 16, 1997).

(d) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by August 31, 2020.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Before further flight and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 100 hours time-in-service, visually inspect the flange in the 
ribbed area for cracks using a 5-power or higher magnifying glass in 
accordance with paragraphs 2.A.1. and 2.A.2. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Alert Service Bulletin 
No. ASB-BO 105-10-110, dated August 27, 1997.
    (2) If there is a crack, remove from service the cracked M/R 
mast and replace it with an airworthy M/R mast.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD No. 
2018-0056, dated March 14, 2018; and Transport Canada AD No. CF-
1997-18R1, dated March 12, 2018. You may view the EASA and Transport 
Canada ADs on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD 
Docket.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6230, Main Rotor 
Mast/Swashplate.


    Issued on July 13, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 2020-15352 Filed 7-16-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P