Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter France) (Airbus Helicopters)

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13521-13524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04724]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0826; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-046-AD; 
Amendment 39-17788; AD 2014-05-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Eurocopter France) (Airbus Helicopters)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and SA330J 
helicopters. This AD prohibits use of the hydraulic hoist in 
helicopters equipped with certain parts and configurations until a 
hoist beam lower fitting protector is installed. This AD was prompted 
by a report that the hoist cable jammed during a rescue at sea. The 
actions of this AD are intended to prevent the hoist cable from jamming 
and subsequent cable failure, which could result in injury and damage 
to the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective April 15, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of April 15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at 
http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
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 (EASA) AD, any incorporated-by-reference service information, 
the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, 
M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On September 26, 2013, at 78 FR 59306, the Federal Register 
published our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Eurocopter 
France

[[Page 13522]]

(Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332 L1, and AS332 L2 helicopters 
with a hoist beam, Part Number (P/N) 330A87-2345-00, -01, -02, -03, -
04, -05, or -06, installed with a single or double hoist plate; and 
Eurocopter Model SA330J helicopters with a hoist beam, P/N 330A87-2345-
00, -01, -02, -03, -04, -05, or -06, installed with a single hoist 
plate. The NPRM proposed to prohibit use of the hydraulic hoist in 
helicopters equipped with certain parts and configurations until a 
hoist beam lower fitting protector was installed. The proposed 
requirements were intended to prevent the hoist cable from jamming and 
subsequent cable failure, which could result in injury and damage to 
the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD 2009-0271R1, dated July 8, 2011, issued 
by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Model 
AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L1, AS332L2 and SA330J helicopters with certain 
hoist beams installed. EASA advises that during a hoisting operation, a 
hydraulic hoist cable jammed against the base of the supporting strut 
of a dual hoist tray installation. According to EASA, the load was 
transferred to the back-up electrical hoist and safely brought on 
board. However, the jamming of the hydraulic hoist cable against the 
strut damaged the back-up electrical hoist power supply harness, which 
is routed through the area, resulting in a short circuit that fused and 
ruptured the cable. EASA reports that this condition, if not corrected, 
could lead to further incidents of hoist cable jamming and subsequent 
cable failure, which could result in personal injuries and damage to 
the helicopter.
    Since we issued the NPRM, Eurocopter France has changed its name to 
Airbus Helicopters. This AD reflects that change and updates the 
contact information to obtain service documentation. We also corrected 
an error in the date of issue for Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 
25.39 in the Required Actions paragraph and Differences section of this 
AD to reflect the correct date of July 6, 2011. We have corrected a 
math error in the total cost per helicopter for installation of the 
hoist beam lower fitting protector and short footstep with lower side 
protector for certain AS332 helicopters in the Cost section. Finally, 
we have corrected our Joint Aircraft Service Component Code in the 
Subject paragraph of this AD to 2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 59306, 
September 26, 2013).

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
the EASA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by EASA and determined 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 except for the minor changes 
previously described. These changes are consistent with the intent of 
the proposals in the NPRM (78 FR 59306, September 26, 2013) and will 
not increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope 
of the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    Our AD differs from the EASA AD as follows:
    The EASA AD requires certain actions before the next flight, while 
we require the same actions before the next hoisting operation.
    The EASA AD sets calendar dates for compliance that have since 
passed, while we set compliance based on hours time-in-service.
    The EASA AD misidentifies the Eurocopter SA330J service bulletin 
number and paragraph number in its required actions for Model SA330J 
helicopters. This AD requires compliance with paragraph 2.B.4 of 
Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.39, Revision 3, 
dated July 6, 2011.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter issued one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB), 
Revision 3, dated July 6, 2011, with three different numbers. EASB No. 
25.02.08 is for civil and military Model AS332-series helicopters; EASB 
No. 25.01.29 is for military Model AS532-series helicopters; and EASB 
No. 25.39 is for civil and military Model SA330-series helicopters. The 
EASB originally provided instructions to prevent the main hydraulic 
hoist cable from becoming jammed and damaged in the fixed fitting of 
the hoist beam lower fitting. The revisions add further instructions 
and expand the effectivity to more helicopters and helicopter equipment 
configurations. The revisions also extend some compliance deadlines, 
and revise some instructions to account for improved installation 
procedures. After further investigation, the most recent revisions 
remove some helicopter models from the list of applicable helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 20 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that work hours average $85 an hour. Based on these estimates, we 
expect the following costs:
    <bullet> The cost for installing and removing placards is minimal.
    <bullet> Disabling the hoist pyrotechnic shear function requires 1 
work-hour. No parts are needed for a cost of $85 per helicopter, $1,700 
for the U.S. fleet.
    <bullet> Installation of the hoist beam lower fitting protector for 
Model AS332 helicopters without a right hand (RH) sliding door and 
without a short footstep requires 6 work-hours for a labor cost of $510 
per helicopter. Parts cost $4,760 for a total cost of $5,270 per 
helicopter.
    <bullet> Installation of the hoist beam lower fitting protector and 
short footstep with lower side protector for Model AS332 helicopters 
without a RH sliding door and with a short footstep requires 12 work-
hours for a labor cost of $1020 per helicopter. Parts cost $26,891 for 
a total cost of $27,911 per helicopter.
    <bullet> Installation of the hoist beam protector for Model AS332 
helicopters with a RH sliding door requires 3 work-hours for a labor 
cost of $255 per helicopter. Parts cost $20,858 for a total cost of 
$21,113 per helicopter.
    <bullet> Installation of the hoist beam protector for Model SA330J 
helicopters requires 3 work-hours for a labor cost of $255 per 
helicopter. Parts cost $4,774 for a total cost of $5,029 per 
helicopter.
    <bullet> Enabling the hoist pyrotechnic shear function requires 1 
work-hour. No parts are needed for a cost of $85 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.
    We are 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

[[Page 13523]]

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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    (4) 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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):

2014-05-15 Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Eurocopter France): Amendment 39-17788; Docket No. FAA-2013-0826; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-046-AD.

(a) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated 
in any category:
    (i) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332 L1, and AS332 L2 helicopters 
with a hoist beam, Part Number (P/N) 330A87-2345-00, -01, -02, -03, 
-04, -05, or -06, installed with a single or double hoist plate; and
    (ii) Model SA330J helicopters with a hoist beam, P/N 330A87-
2345-00, -01, -02, -03, -04, -05, or -06, installed with a single 
hoist plate.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    The unsafe condition is defined as hoist cable jamming and 
subsequent cable failure, which could result in injuries or damage 
to the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 15, 2014.

(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

    (1) Before the next hoist operation:
    (i) For all helicopters, install a placard in full view of the 
hoist operator that states: IN CASE OF CABLE JAM AGAINST STRUT DO 
NOT ATTEMPT TO RAISE OR LOWER LOAD.
    (ii) For helicopters with a hoist control electrical harness 
routed at the base of the hoist supporting strut:
    (A) Disable the hoist pyrotechnic shear function.
    (B) Install a placard on the instrument panel in full view of 
the flight crew that states: HOIST PYROTECHNIC SHEAR FUNCTION 
DISABLED.
    (C) Install a placard in full view of the hoist operator that 
states: HOIST PYROTECHNIC SHEAR FUNCTION DISABLED. IN CASE OF 
NECESSITY, CUT THE HOIST CABLE WITH THE SHEARS LOCATED IN THE CABIN.
    (iii) For helicopters listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this AD 
with a tray-mounted double hoist installed with the back-up 
electrical hoist power supply harness routed at the base of the 
hoist supporting strut, do one of the following:
    (A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting protector in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.b of 
Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.02.08, Revision 
3, dated July 6, 2011 (EASB No. 25.02.08), and if a short footstep, 
P/N 332P21-9000-00 or 332P21-2052-01, is installed, also install the 
short footstep with lower side protector in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.c.2, of EASB No. 
25.02.08; or
    (B) Install two placards, one in full view of the flight crew 
and one in full view of the hoist operator, that state: IN-FLIGHT 
OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS PROHIBITED.
    (2) Within 60 hours time-in-service:
    (i) For helicopters listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this AD 
without a tray-mounted double hoist installed with the back-up 
electrical hoist power supply harness routed at the base of the 
hoist supporting strut and without a right hand sliding door, P/N 
332A22-1165-01, installed, do one of the following:
    (A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting protecter in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.b, of EASB No. 
25.02.08 and if a short footstep, P/N 332P21-9000-00 or 332P21-2052-
01, is installed, also install the short footstep with lower side 
protector in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2.B.2.c.2, of EASB No. 25.02.08; or
    (B) Install two placards, one in full view of the flight crew 
and one in full view of the hoist operator, that state: IN-FLIGHT 
OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS PROHIBITED.
    (ii) For helicopters listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this AD 
with a right hand sliding door, P/N 332A22-1165-01, installed, do 
one of the following:
    (A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting protector in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.5, of EASB No. 
25.02.08; or
    (B) Install two placards, one in full view of the flight crew 
and one in full view of the hoist operator, that state: IN-FLIGHT 
OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS PROHIBITED.
    (iii) For Model SA330J helicopters, do one of the following:
    (A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting protector in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.4, of Eurocopter 
Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.39, Revision 3, dated July 
6, 2011; or
    (B) Install two placards, one in full view of the flight crew 
and one in full view of the hoist operator, that state: IN-FLIGHT 
OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS PROHIBITED.
    (3) For any helicopter that has been modified per paragraph 
(e)(1)(iii)(A), (e)(2)(i)(A), (e)(2)(ii)(A), or (e)(2)(iii)(A) of 
this AD, do the following before the next hoist operation:
    (i) Re-establish the hoist pyrotechnic shear function if 
disabled per paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) of this AD.
    (ii) Remove any placards if installed as required by paragraph 
(e)(1)(i), (e)(1)(ii)(B), (e)(1)(ii)(C), (e)(1)(iii)(B), 
(e)(2)(i)(B), (e)(2)(ii)(B), or (e)(2)(iii)(B) of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 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, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or

[[Page 13524]]

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. 2009-0271R1, dated July 8, 2011. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2013-0826.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2500, Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

(i) 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.
    (i) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.02.08, 
Revision 3, dated July 6, 2011.
    (ii) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.39, 
Revision 3, dated July 6, 2011.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i)(2):  Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin (EASB) No. 25.02.08 and Eurocopter EASB No. 25.39, both 
Revision 3, and both dated July 6, 2011, are co-published as one 
document along with Eurocopter EASB No. 25.01.29, Revision 3, dated 
July 6, 2011, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

    (3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax 
(972) 641-3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 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, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 26, 2014.
Bruce E. Cain,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04724 Filed 3-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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