Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter France) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 111 (Tuesday, June 10, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33054-33056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12724]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0334; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-021-AD; 
Amendment 39-17858; AD 2014-07-52]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Previously 
Eurocopter France) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model AS350B, 
AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, which was 
sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
helicopters. This AD requires repetitively inspecting certain 
reinforcement angles of the rear structure to tailboom junction frame 
(reinforcement angles) for a crack, and repairing any cracked 
reinforcement angle. This AD is prompted by a report that cracks were 
found in the reinforcement angles on several AS355 helicopters. These 
actions are intended to detect a crack in the reinforcement angle, 
which if not corrected, could result in loss of the tailboom and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 25, 2014 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
(EAD) 2014-07-52, issued on March 28, 2014, which contained the 
requirements of this AD.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of June 25, 2014
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 11, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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 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 (telephone 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.
    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.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we 
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the 
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, 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 them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that 
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    On March 28, 2014, we issued EAD 2014-07-52, which requires, for 
certain helicopters, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and within 
every 10 hours TIS thereafter, inspecting the right-hand reinforcement 
angles for a crack and repairing any cracked reinforcement angle. As an 
option to performing the 10 hour TIS repetitive inspections, the EAD 
allows an alternate 165 hour TIS repetitive inspection. The EAD was 
sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
helicopters.

[[Page 33055]]

    EAD 2014-07-52 was prompted by EAD No. 2014-0076-E, dated March 25, 
2014, 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 AS350B, AS350BA, AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, 
AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP 
helicopters with Modification (MOD) 07 3215 or with at least one 
reinforcement angle, P/N 350A08.2493.21 or P/N 350A08.2493.23, 
installed. EASA advises that during the inspection of several AS355 
helicopters, cracks were found in the reinforcement angles. EASA 
further states that a subsequent investigation revealed that cracks 
were initiated on the non-visible surface of the angle, which is the 
surface in contact with the frame, and that this condition, if not 
corrected, could lead to further crack propagation and subsequent loss 
of the tailboom, resulting in loss of the helicopter. The EASA EAD 
requires repetitive inspections of the reinforcement angles, and states 
that a terminating action is currently under investigation.

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 EAD. 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.

Related Service Information

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 
(EASB) No. 05.00.70 for Model AS350B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D 
helicopters and EASB No. 05.00.62 for Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, N, and 
NP helicopters, both Revision 0 and dated March 24, 2014. EASB No. 
05.00.70 and EASB No. 05.00.62 describe procedures for inspecting the 
angle reinforcements for a crack.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, for helicopters with 640 or more hours time-in-
service (TIS) since installation of MOD 07 3215 or since installation 
of an applicable reinforcement angle, within 10 hours TIS, and 
thereafter at intervals not exceeding 10 hours TIS, inspecting certain 
reinforcement angles for a crack. If there is a crack, this AD 
requires, before further flight, repairing the reinforcement angle. As 
an option to performing the 10-hour TIS repetitive inspections, this AD 
allows an alternate 165-hour TIS repetitive inspection.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    This AD is not applicable to the AS350BB as that model is not type 
certificated in the U.S. This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model 
AS350C and AS350D1 helicopters because these helicopters have a similar 
design. The EASA EAD requires a 165 hour TIS repetitive inspection, 
this AD allows the 165 hour TIS inspection as an option. Finally, the 
EASA EAD requires operators to contact Airbus Helicopters if there is a 
crack, this AD does not, however it does require repairing the crack 
before further flight.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. If final action is 
later identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 822 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, 
inspecting the reinforcement angles for a crack will require 1 work-
hour, for a cost per helicopter of $85 and a total cost of $69,870 for 
the U.S. fleet. If required, repairing a cracked reinforcement angle 
will require about 10 work-hours, and required parts will cost about 
$300, for a total cost per helicopter of $1,150.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments before adopting these 
AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions needed to 
correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we found and continue 
to find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and 
comment prior to adopting this rule because the required corrective 
actions must be done within 10 hours time-in-service, a very short time 
period based on the average flight-hour utilization rate of these 
helicopters.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment before issuing this AD 
were impracticable and contrary to the public interest and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by EAD 2014-07-52, issued 
on March 28, 2014 to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
helicopters. These conditions still exist and the AD is hereby 
published in the Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to 
all persons.

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 
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

    We 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, 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,

[[Page 33056]]

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):

2014-07-52 Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France): 
Amendment 39-17858; Docket No. FAA-2014-0334; Directorate Identifier 
2014-SW-021-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, 
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, 
AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, certificated in 
any category, with:
    (1) Modification (MOD) 07 3215 installed; or
    (2) With a reinforcement angle, part number (P/N) 350A08.2493.21 
or P/N 350A08.2493.23, installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a rear 
structure to tailboom junction frame reinforcement angle 
(reinforcement angle), which if not detected could result in loss of 
the tailboom and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 25, 2014 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency 
AD 2014-07-52, issued on March 28, 2014, which contained the 
requirements of this AD.

(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) For helicopters with 640 or more hours time-in-service (TIS) 
since installation of MOD 07 3215 or since installation of an 
applicable reinforcement angle, within 10 hours TIS, and thereafter, 
at intervals not exceeding 10 hours TIS, inspect each reinforcement 
angle for a crack as depicted in Figure 1 of Airbus Helicopters 
Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.70 for Model AS350B, 
AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1 
helicopters and Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 
No. 05.00.62 for AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and 
AS355NP helicopters, both Revision 0 and dated March 24, 2014.
    (2) If there is a crack, before further flight, repair the 
reinforcement angle in a manner approved by the manager listed in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (3) As an optional terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, at intervals 
not exceeding 165 hours TIS, remove screw No. 5 from the 
reinforcement angle, thoroughly clean the area around the hole and 
inspect the reinforcement angle for a crack. If there is not a 
crack, reinstall the screw. Sequentially repeat the steps required 
by this paragraph for screws No. 6 through No. 12. If there is a 
crack, comply with paragraph (e)(2) 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, 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 
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) Emergency AD No. 2014-0076-E, dated March 25, 2014. 
You may view the EASA Emergency AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2014-0334.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5302: Rotorcraft 
Tailboom.

(i) 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 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
05.00.62, Revision 0, dated March 24, 2014.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
05.00.70, Revision 0, dated March 24, 2014.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i)(2):  Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert 
Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 05.00.62, Revision 0, dated March 24, 
2014, and Airbus Helicopters EASB No. 05.00.70, Revision 0, dated 
March 24, 2014, are co-published as one document along with Airbus 
Helicopters EASB No. 05.00.45, Revision 0, dated March 24, 2014, and 
Airbus Helicopters EASB No. 05.00.41, Revision 0, dated March 24, 
2014, which are not incorporated by reference in this AD.

    (3) For Airbus Helicopters 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 May 21, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-12724 Filed 6-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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