Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44509-44511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19939]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9143; Product Identifier 2013-SW-037-AD; Amendment 
39-19051; AD 2017-19-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; 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 EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires modifying the 
emergency lubrication system (EMLUB). This AD was prompted by two 
incidents of emergency ditching after there was a warning of a loss of 
oil pressure and a false EMLUB failure. The actions of this AD are 
intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 30, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 30, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final 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 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.

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-2016-
9143; 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, Texas 76177; telephone (817) 
222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On March 14, 2017, at 82 FR 13565, 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 Airbus Helicopters 
(formerly Eurocopter France) Model EC225LP helicopters. The NPRM 
proposed to require replacing the EMLUB glycol pump, the air and glycol 
pressure switches, and the MGB lubrication card, and modifying and re-
identifying the helicopter wiring harness. The NPRM also proposed 
testing the function of the EMLUB and electrical systems and revising 
the Emergency Procedures section of the RFM. Lastly, the NPRM proposed 
to prohibit installing certain part-numbered EMLUB glycol pumps, air-
pressure switches, glycol pressure switches and electronic boards on 
any helicopter. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent a 
false EMLUB warning. This condition when associated with a loss of the 
MGB oil pressure could result in an unnecessary emergency landing or 
ditching.

[[Page 44510]]

    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2013-0156, dated July 18, 2013, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for the Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. EASA advises of two incidents of 
emergency ditching in the North Sea after a warning indication of MGB 
loss of oil pressure followed by a red alarm on the EMLUB. In both 
cases, the EMLUB provided a false failure indication due to a design 
nonconformity on the electrical outputs of some EMLUB air and glycol 
pressure-switches. EASA states that a false red EMLUB warning during an 
MGB emergency lubrication system operation could cause the flight crew 
to perform an immediate landing or ditching. As a result, the EASA AD 
requires several actions that restore safe operation of the EMLUB 
system.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM.

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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) issued Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. EC225-05A033, Revision 0, dated July 14, 2013, for Model 
EC225LP helicopters. This ASB specifies replacing the air and glycol 
pressure switches, modifying the helicopter wiring, replacing the 
glycol pump, replacing the MGB lubrication card, modifying the RFM 
emergency procedures in the event of EMLUB activation, and canceling 
the RFM limitations of Eurocopter Emergency ASB No. 04A010, dated July 
14, 2013.
    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.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) also issued the following Alert 
Service Bulletins (ASBs), each dated July 14, 2013:
    <bullet> Emergency ASB, Revision 1, with two different numbers: No. 
04A010 for Model EC225LP helicopters and No. 04A009 for military Model 
EC725AP helicopters, which are not FAA type certificated. This 
Emergency ASB specifies modifying the RFM emergency procedures in the 
event of activation of the EMLUB system and applies only to those 
helicopters that have not been altered by certain modifications.
    <bullet> Emergency ASB No. 05A032, Revision 2, for both Model 
EC225LP and military Model EC725AP helicopters. This Emergency ASB 
specifies checking that the EMLUB electrical system (harness, control, 
alarm, and indicator panel) operates correctly and applies only to 
those helicopters that have not been altered by certain modifications 
(the same as those for Emergency ASB No. 04A010 and No. 04A009).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 4 helicopters of U.S. Registry and 
that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these estimates, 
we expect the following costs. We estimate that 34 work-hours are 
needed to replace the air and glycol pressure switches, modify the 
helicopter wiring, replace the glycol pump, and replace the MGB 
lubrication card. The required parts cost $121,695 per helicopter. 
Based on these estimates, the total costs are $124,585 per helicopter 
and $498,340 for the U.S. fleet.

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 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):

2017-19-21 Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter France): 
Amendment 39-19051; Docket No. FAA-2016-9143; Product Identifier 
2013-SW-037-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC225LP helicopters, certificated in 
any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a false emergency 
lubrication system (EMLUB) warning. This condition when associated 
with a loss of the main gearbox (MGB) oil pressure could result in 
an unnecessary emergency landing or ditching.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective October 30, 2017.

[[Page 44511]]

(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) Within 500 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Replace EMLUB glycol pump part number (P/N) 332A32-5051-00 
with EMLUB glycol pump P/N 332A32-5043-00.
    (ii) Replace EMLUB air pressure switch P/N MA193-00 or MC7014-0-
00 with P/N MC7014-1-00, and replace EMLUB glycol pressure switch P/
N MA194-01 or MC7015-0-00 with P/N MC7015-1-00. P/N MC7014-1-00 and 
P/N MC7015-1-00 must be from the same manufacturer.
    (iii) Modify and re-identify the helicopter wiring harness. 
Refer to Figure 3 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC225-
05A033, Revision 0, dated July 14, 2013 (ASB EC225-05A033).
    (iv) Replace MGB lubrication card P/N 704A46580127 with P/N 
704A46580146, and MGB lubrication card P/N 704A46580106 with P/N 
704A46580146 or -147.
    (v) Accomplish a functional test of the EMLUB system and the 
electrical system.
    (vi) Revise the Emergency Procedures section of the Rotorcraft 
Flight Manual (RFM) by removing any pages from Section 3 of the RFM 
that pertain to the emergency procedures in the event of EMLUB 
activation and by inserting the pages from paragraph 4.C. Appendix 
3, of ASB EC225-05A033 into Section 3 of the RFM.
    (2) Do not install on any helicopter EMLUB glycol pump P/N 
332A32-5051-00, air pressure-switch P/N MA193-00 or P/N MC7014-0-00, 
glycol pressure-switch P/N MA194-01 or P/N MC7015-0-00, or MGB 
lubrication card P/N 704A46580106 or P/N 704A46580127.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, Texas 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 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) Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05A032, Revision 
2, dated July 14, 2013, and Emergency ASB with two numbers (No. 
04A010 and No. 04A009), Revision 1, dated July 14, 2013, which are 
not incorporated by reference, contain 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 2013-0156, dated July 18, 2013. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2016-9143.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320, Main Rotor 
Gearbox.

(j) 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) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC225-05A033, Revision 
0, dated July 14, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Airbus Helicopters 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 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 September 11, 2017.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-19939 Filed 9-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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