[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 205 (Thursday, October 22, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67313-67315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22948]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0916; Product Identifier 2015-SW-055-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 Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 
EC 155B, EC155B1, EC225LP, and SA330J helicopters. This proposed AD 
would require inspecting the snap fasteners on the windows. This 
proposed AD was prompted by incidents of difficulty unbuttoning the 
extraction tape on the windows. The proposed actions are intended to 
address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 7, 
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-
0916; 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 (EASA) ADs, 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 the 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: David Hatfield, 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 send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0916; Product Identifier 
2015-SW-055-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    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 post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this proposal.

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

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2015-0149, dated July 23, 2015 
(EASA AD 2015-0149), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS 322 and EC 225 LP helicopters; EASA AD No. 2015-
0168, dated August 13, 2015 (EASA AD 2015-0168), to correct an unsafe 
condition for Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155 B and EC 155 B1 
helicopters; and EASA AD No. 2015-0169, dated August 13, 2015 (EASA AD 
2015-0169), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model 
SA330 J helicopters, equipped with an extraction tape fitted with 
``press-studs'' (snap fasteners) on the windows. EASA advises of 
difficulty unbuttoning the extraction tape during the manufacturing of 
a helicopter. Investigation concluded that the difficulty was caused by 
a bad male/female coupling, possibly resulting from miscrimping. This 
difficulty is known to

[[Page 67314]]

have occurred on two additional helicopters. EASA states this 
condition, if not detected and corrected, could prevent the jettisoning 
of the helicopter window, possibly affecting the evacuation of 
passengers during an emergency situation. For these reasons, EASA AD 
2015-0149, EASA AD 2015-0168, and EASA AD 2015-0169 require inspecting 
each press-stud located on the extraction tapes of the window 
jettisoning system and depending on the findings, installing self-
gripping tape and replacing the press-studs.

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 of the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD 
because 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 Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. AS332-56.00.10, Revision 0, dated July 16, 2015, for Model AS332-
series helicopters; ASB No. EC155-56A006, Revision 0, dated August 10, 
2015, for Model EC155-series helicopters; ASB No. EC225-56A008, 
Revision 0, dated July 16, 2015, for Model EC225LP helicopters; and ASB 
No. SA330-56.02, Revision 0, dated August 10, 2015, for Model SA330J 
helicopters. This service information specifies procedures to inspect 
the internal and external press-studs and to install self-gripping tape 
for press-studs that do not unbutton or are difficult to unbutton. This 
service information also specifies procedures to replace internal 
press-studs that are difficult to unbutton and a repetitive inspection 
for affected external press-studs until they are replaced.
    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, within 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), inspecting each internal and external snap fastener to determine 
whether they unbutton by hand. For external snap fasteners that do not 
unbutton by hand, this proposed AD would require replacing the male 
part of the snap fastener, and installing self-gripping tape if it 
still does not unbutton by hand. Thereafter, this proposed AD would 
require inspecting the external extraction tape and self-gripping tape 
every 15 hours TIS and replacing any tape that is cracked, torn, 
disintegrated, worn, or missing, and then replacing the snap fasteners 
within 100 hours TIS. For internal snap fasteners that do not unbutton 
by hand, this proposed AD would require installing the self-gripping 
tape and then replacing the snap fasteners within 900 hours TIS.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 72 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 proposed AD.
    Inspecting the snap fasteners would take about 1 work-hour for a 
cost of $85 per helicopter and $6,120 for the U.S. fleet. Installing 
self-gripping tape would take about 0.3 work-hour and parts would cost 
$200 for a cost of $226 per window. Inspecting the tape would take 
about 0.3 work-hour for a cost of $26 per window per inspection cycle. 
Replacing the extraction tape or self-gripping tape would take about 1 
work-hour and parts would cost $200 for a total of $285 per window. 
Replacing a snap fastener would take about 1 work-hour and parts would 
cost $200 for a total of $285 per window.

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.

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:

Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2020-0916; Product Identifier 
2015-SW-055-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Airbus Helicopters 
Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, EC 155B, EC155B1, 
EC225LP, and SA330J helicopters, certificated in any category, with 
window extraction tape with snap fasteners installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a snap 
fastener to unbutton. This condition could result in failure of the 
window to jettison, preventing occupants from exiting the helicopter 
during an emergency.

(c) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by December 7, 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.

[[Page 67315]]

(e) Required Actions

    Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect each internal and 
external snap fastener to determine if it can be unbuttoned by hand.


    Note 1 to paragraph (e): Airbus Helicopters refers to the snap 
fastener as a ``press-stud.''


    (1) If all internal and external snap fasteners can be 
unbuttoned by hand, no further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If an external snap fastener does not unbutton by hand:
    (i) Before further flight, replace the male part of the snap 
fastener and determine if the snap fastener can be unbuttoned by 
hand force. If the snap fastener still does not unbutton by hand, 
before further flight, install self-gripping tape.
    (ii) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 15 hours TIS, 
inspect the external extraction tape and self-gripping tape for a 
crack, a tear, disintegration, or wear. If the extraction tape or 
self-gripping tape has a crack, a tear, any disintegration, wear, or 
is missing, before further flight, replace the tape. Replacing the 
extraction tape or self-gripping tape does not terminate this 
repetitive inspection.
    (iii) Within 100 hours TIS, replace each external snap fastener 
by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.4., of 
Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-56.00.10, 
Revision 0, dated July 16, 2015 (ASB AS332-56.00.10); ASB No. EC155-
56A006, Revision 0, dated August 10, 2015 (ASB EC155-56A006); ASB 
No. EC225-56A008, Revision 0, dated July 16, 2015 (ASB EC225-
56A008); or ASB No. SA330-56.02, Revision 0, dated August 10, 2015 
(ASB SA330-56.02), as applicable to your model helicopter. Replacing 
the external snap fastener terminates the repetitive inspection 
requirements specified in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (3) If an internal snap fastener does not unbutton by hand:
    (i) Before further flight, install self-gripping tape by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.3., of 
AS332-56.00.10, ASB EC155-56A006, ASB EC225-56A008, or ASB SA330-
56.02, as applicable to your model helicopter.
    (ii) Within 900 hours TIS, replace each internal snap fastener 
by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.5., of 
ASB AS332-56.00.10, ASB EC155-56A006, ASB EC225-56A008, or ASB 
SA330-56.02, as applicable to your model helicopter.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0149, dated July 23, 2015; AD No. 2015-
0168, dated August 13, 2015; and AD No. 2015-0169, dated August 13, 
2015. You may view the EASA ADs on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5600, Window/
Windshield System.

    Issued on October 13, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-22948 Filed 10-21-20; 8:45 am]
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