Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60030-60033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25217]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3877; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-039-AD; 
Amendment 39-18284; AD 2015-18-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 
helicopters, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and 
operators of these helicopters. This AD requires inspecting certain 
tail rotor (T/R) blades, replacing the set of T/R blades if there is 
damage, deactivating the rotor de-icing system, revising the rotorcraft 
flight manual (RFM), and installing a placard. This AD is prompted by a 
report of a T/R de-icing system power supply box stuck in a ``closed'' 
position providing an uncontrolled and un-annunciated power supply to 
the system. These actions are intended to detect and prevent structural 
damage to the T/R blades caused by overheating, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 20, 2015 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2015-18-51, issued on September 11, 2015, which contains the 
requirements of this AD.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 4, 2015.

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.

[[Page 60031]]

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3877; 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, 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, 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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Schwab, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 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 September 11, 2015, we issued Emergency AD 2015-18-51 to correct 
an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, 
AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters with T/R de-icing installation unit 
part number (P/N) 204ZP01Y01 and T/R blade P/N 332A12-0055-XX (where XX 
is any dash number) installed. Emergency AD 2015-18-51 requires 
inspecting each T/R blade, replacing the set of T/R blades if there is 
damage, deactivating the rotor de-icing system, revising the RFM, and 
installing a placard. Emergency AD 2015-18-51 was sent previously to 
all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters and was 
prompted by a report of a T/R de-icing system power supply box stuck in 
a ``closed'' position providing an uncontrolled and un-annunciated 
power supply to the system. The T/R de-icing system is part of the 
entire rotor de-icing system.
    Emergency AD 2015-18-51 was prompted by AD No. 2015-0153-E, dated 
July 24, 2015, 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 AS332 C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 
helicopters, equipped with T/R de-icing installation unit P/N 
204ZP01Y01 and T/R blade P/N 332A12-0055-XX (where XX represents any 
dash number). EASA advises of a report of a T/R blade that was 
overheated and damaged after application of alternating current (AC) 
from a ground power unit (GPU) following a flight during which the de-
icing system was used. Subsequent analysis determined failure of the 
power supply box stuck in the ``closed'' position caused the 
uncontrolled power supply to the rotor blade de-icing system and 
subsequent damage. EASA also states that its AD is considered an 
interim action and further AD action may follow.

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 the 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 issued Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-
05.01.02, Revision 0, dated July 22, 2015 (ASB), which specifies, 
before each flight and before starting at least one engine, if the 
applicable helicopter has been supplied external 115V/400Hz AC GPU with 
the rotor stationary or if the de-icing system has been used or tested 
using an AC GPU with the rotor stationary or spinning, visually 
inspecting the T/R blades for burn marks, detached leading edge 
protection, or cracks at the skin/leading edge protection junction. If 
at least one T/R blade is damaged, the ASB specifies replacing all of 
the T/R blades.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, before further flight, inspecting each T/R blade 
for a burn mark, any disbonding of the leading edge protection, and a 
crack at the junction of the skin and the leading edge protection. If 
there is a burn mark, any disbonding of the leading edge protection, or 
a crack at the junction of the skin and the leading edge protection on 
a T/R blade, this AD requires replacing all of the T/R blades with 
airworthy T/R blades. This AD also requires deactivating the rotor de-
icing system, revising the RFM to state that the rotor de-icing system 
is deactivated and that flight into known icing is prohibited, and 
installing a placard stating that the rotor de-icing system is 
deactivated.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD allows operation of the rotor de-icing system with a 
recurring inspection of the T/R blades. This AD requires an initial 
inspection and prohibits operation of the rotor de-icing system by 
deactivating the rotor de-icing system, revising the RFM to state the 
rotor de-icing system is deactivated and flight into known icing is 
prohibited, and installing a placard stating that the rotor de-icing 
system is deactivated.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. Once a modification to 
the rotor de-icing system design is evaluated, approved, and available, 
we might consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 19 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 work-hour. It 
takes about 1 work-hour to inspect the T/R blades for a cost of $85 per 
helicopter and $1,615 for the U.S.

[[Page 60032]]

fleet. It takes about 2 work-hours to deactivate the rotor de-icing 
system for a cost of $170 per helicopter and $3,230 for the U.S. fleet. 
It takes about 0.5 work-hour to revise the RFM for a cost of $43 per 
helicopter and $817 for the U.S. fleet. It takes about 0.5 work-hour 
and a negligible parts cost to install a placard for a cost of $43 per 
helicopter and $817 for the U.S. fleet. Replacing a set of T/R blades 
takes about 3 work-hours for a labor cost of $255 per helicopter. Parts 
for 4-blade T/R set cost $167,644 for a total replacement cost of 
$167,899 per helicopter. Parts for a 5-blade T/R set cost $209,555 for 
a total replacement cost of $209,810 per helicopter.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 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 the adoption of this rule because the 
previously described unsafe condition can adversely affect the 
controllability of the helicopter and the initial required action must 
be accomplished before further flight.
    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 public interest and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by Emergency AD 2015-18-
51, issued on September 11, 2015, 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, 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):

2015-18-51 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-18284; Docket No. FAA-
2015-3877; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-039-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, 
AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters with tail rotor (T/R) de-icing 
installation unit part number (P/N) 204ZP01Y01 and T/R blade P/N 
332A12-0055-XX (where XX is any dash number) installed, certificated 
in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as uncontrolled and un-
annunciated power supply to the T/R de-icing system, which could 
overheat the T/R blades. This condition could result in structural 
damage to the T/R blades and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective October 20, 2015 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency 
AD 2015-18-51, issued on September 11, 2015, which contains 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

    Before further flight:
    (1) Inspect each T/R blade for a burn mark, any disbonding of 
the leading edge protection, and a crack at the junction of the skin 
and the leading edge protection. Examples of a burn mark, 
disbonding, and a crack are shown in the photos under paragraph 
3.B.2., Accomplishment Instructions, of Airbus Helicopters Alert 
Service Bulletin No. AS332-05.01.02, Revision 0, dated July 22, 
2015. If there is a burn mark, any disbonding of the leading edge 
protection, or a crack at the junction of the skin and the leading 
edge protection on a T/R blade, replace all of the T/R blades with 
airworthy T/R blades.
    (2) Deactivate the rotor de-icing system.
    (3) Revise Section 2, Limitations, of the Protective Equipment 
for Flight in Icing Conditions supplement to the rotorcraft flight 
manual by inserting the following: ROTOR DE-ICING SYSTEM IS 
DEACTIVATED. FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING IS PROHIBITED.
    (4) Install a placard with 6 millimeter red letters on a white 
background next to the rotors de-icing control panel that states the 
following: ROTOR DE-ICING SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits will be permitted for flights to a 
location where the required inspection can be performed provided the 
flight does not exceed 5 hours time-in-service.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 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, we suggest that

[[Page 60033]]

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 No. AS332-
05.01.02, Revision 0, dated July 22, 2015, which is not incorporated 
by reference, contains 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 http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review 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 (EASA) AD No. 2015-0153-E, dated July 24, 2015. You 
may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-3877.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3060, Rotor De-Ice 
System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 28, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-25217 Filed 10-2-15; 8:45 am]
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