Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3566-3568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01196]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1201; Product Identifier 2017-SW-068-AD; Amendment 
39-19155; AD 2018-02-02]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, 
AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2 
helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main rotor (M/R) mast jet 
oil lubrication hose (oil hose). This AD is prompted by a report of a 
blocked oil hose. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an 
unsafe condition on these helicopters.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 12, 2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 27, 2018.

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.

[[Page 3567]]

    <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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1201; 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 AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations (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 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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 
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

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued AD No. 2017-0089, dated May 17, 2017 (AD 
2017-0089), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model 
AS350B, AS350BA, AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2 
helicopters. EASA advises that an oil hose part number (P/N) 704A34-
412-015 (manufacturing P/N 4T13) was found blocked during unscheduled 
maintenance. EASA states an investigation showed the hose had become 
completely blocked with solder during the manufacturing process, 
resulting in a complete absence of lubrication from the direct oil jet 
to the M/R mast upper bearing. According to EASA this condition could 
lead to degradation of the M/R mast bearings, loss of transmission 
function, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. To correct 
this condition, EASA AD 2017-0089 requires a one-time inspection of the 
oil hose to determine if there is any blockage, replacing the oil hose 
and the M/R mast if the oil hose is blocked, and marking unobstructed 
hoses with an ``x'' after the P/N.

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.

Related Service Information

    Airbus Helicopters has co-published as one document Emergency Alert 
Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 62.00.20 for non-FAA type-certificated 
AS550-series helicopters, EASB No. 62.00.23 for non-FAA type-
certificated AS555-series helicopters, EASB No. 62.00.36 for AS355-
series helicopters, EASB No. 62.00.39 for AS350-series helicopters, and 
EASB No. 62A015 for EC130 series helicopters, all Revision 1 and dated 
May 19, 2017. This service information specifies procedures for 
inspecting the oil hose for the presence of oil, inspecting the oil 
hose for blockage, and marking the hose if there is no blockage.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, within 30 hours time-in-service (TIS):
    <bullet> Removing the upper end of the oil hose and inspecting the 
inside of the hose to determine if there is any oil present. If there 
is no oil present, before further flight, replacing the M/R mast and 
the oil hose;
    <bullet> If there is oil present, within 30 hours TIS of inspecting 
for the presence of oil, removing the hose and determining if there is 
blockage in the hose, first using an air gun and then using cable ties 
or a piece of wire. If there is blockage in the hose, before further 
flight, replacing the M/R mast and the oil hose; and
    <bullet> If there is oil present and there is no blockage, before 
further flight, permanently marking the hose with an ``X'' following 
the P/N.
    This AD also prohibits installing an oil hose, P/N 704A34-412-015, 
on any helicopter unless it has been inspected as required by this AD.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350BB 
helicopters, this AD does not as that model is not type certificated in 
the U.S.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1,246 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, 
inspecting the oil hose for oil and obstruction and marking the hose 
will require about one hour, for a cost per helicopter of $85 and a 
cost of $105,910 for the U.S. fleet.
    If required, replacing the M/R mast and oil hose will require 16 
hours and required parts will cost $29,940 for a cost per helicopter of 
$31,300.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to the adoption of this rule 
because some of the required corrective actions must be accomplished 
within 30 hours TIS, a potentially short

[[Page 3568]]

period of time for helicopters primarily used for air ambulance 
operations.
    Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reason stated 
above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days.

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):

2018-02-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-19155; Docket No. FAA-
2017-1201; Product Identifier 2017-SW-068-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, 
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, 
AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in 
any category, with a main rotor (M/R) mast jet oil lubrication hose 
(oil hose) part number (P/N) 704A34-412-015 (manufacturing P/N 
4T13), except those marked with an X following the P/N, installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a blocked oil hose. This 
condition could result in failure of the direct oil jet to lubricate 
the M/R mast upper bearing, degradation of the M/R mast bearings, 
loss of M/R transmission function, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 12, 2018.

(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 30 hours time-in-service (TIS), disconnect the upper 
end of the oil hose and inspect the inside of the hose for oil.
    (i) If there is no oil inside the hose, before further flight, 
replace the M/R mast and oil hose.
    (ii) If there is oil inside the hose, within 30 hours TIS, 
remove the oil hose and blow air through the oil hose using an air 
gun.
    (A) If no air flows through the oil hose, before further flight, 
replace the M/R mast and oil hose.
    (B) If air does flow through the oil hose, inspect the oil hose 
for any blockage by inserting two cable ties or a semi-rigid piece 
of wire with a diameter of 2 to 2.3 millimeters (mm) a minimum of 
100 mm into each end of the oil hose.
    (1) If there is any blockage, before further flight, replace the 
M/R mast and oil hose.
    (2) If there is no blockage, re-identify the oil hose by vibro-
etching the letter ``X'' after the P/N.
    (2) Do not install an oil hose P/N 704A34-412-015 on any 
helicopter unless it has been inspected as required by this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy 
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, 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

    (1) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
62.00.20, No. 62.00.23, No. 62.00.36, No. 62.00.39, and No. 62A015, 
all Revision 1 and dated May 19, 2017, which are co-published as one 
document and 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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. 
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. 2017-0089, dated May 17, 2017. You may 
view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2017-1201.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6230 Main Gearbox 
Mast.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 8, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-01196 Filed 1-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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