Airworthiness Directives; Air Comm Corporation Air Conditioning Systems

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 241 (Monday, December 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64435-64437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27134]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1217; Product Identifier 2016-SW-080-AD; Amendment 
39-19528; AD 2018-25-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Air Comm Corporation Air Conditioning 
Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Air 
Comm Corporation (Air Comm) air conditioning systems installed on 
various model helicopters. This AD requires replacing electrical 
connectors and prohibits the installation of other parts. This AD was 
prompted by reports of overheated connectors. The actions of this AD 
are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 22, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of January 22, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Air Comm Corporation, 1575 West 124th Ave., Westminster, CO 
80234; telephone (303) 440-4075; email [email protected]; website 
www.aircommcorp.com. You may review a copy of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is 
also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1217.

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-
1217; 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, any incorporated-by-reference service information, the 
economic evaluation, the Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin 
(SAIB), any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Bryant, Aerospace Engineer, 
Denver ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 26805 East 
68th Ave., Room 214, Denver, CO 80249; telephone (303) 342-1092; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On January 11, 2018, at 83 FR 1313, 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 
Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, 
AS350D1, and EC130B4, and Bell Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 
and 206L-4, and 407 helicopters with certain part-numbered Air Comm air 
conditioning systems installed. The NPRM proposed to require replacing 
certain connectors with Air Comm connectors and to prohibit installing 
certain part-numbered plugs, sockets, receptacles, and pin in some aft 
evaporator assemblies, aft evaporator blower assemblies, and aft 
condenser blowers. The proposed requirements were intended to address 
the unsafe condition of an overheated connector, which could result in 
a fire and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Ex Parte Contact

    On April 17, 2018, after the comment period closed, we had a 
teleconference with Air Comm about some of the Air Comm parts 
identified in the NPRM. We subsequently continued this discussion by 
email. Air Comm's comment during these discussions is addressed below. 
A copy of each email contact and a summary of each telephone contact 
can be found in the rulemaking docket at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1217.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment we received and the FAA's 
response.

Request

    Air Comm requested that we review paragraph (e)(2) of the NPRM, 
which lists aft evaporator assembly part number (P/N) AS350-6202. Air 
Comm stated that this P/N is not part of the type design for the air 
conditioning system. According to Air Comm, the

[[Page 64436]]

correct P/N is AS350-6202-1. In support of this request, Air Comm 
provided the type design data for our review.
    We agree. Although Figure 1 of Air Comm Corporation Service 
Bulletin (SB) AS350-111014, Revision B, dated January 10, 2017, 
identifies the aft evaporator assembly as P/N AS350-6202, the correct 
P/N is AS350-6202-1. We have corrected this error in this Final Rule.
    Further, because of Air Comm's comments, we conducted additional 
review of the blower and wire harness drawings for the affected 
components. As a result, we determined that plug P/N 03-09-1042 and 
receptacle P/N 03-09-2042 were listed in error in the NPRM. These two 
P/Ns are also not part of the type design for the air conditioning 
system. Accordingly, we have removed these P/Ns from paragraph (e)(2) 
of this Final Rule.

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of these same type designs and that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed with the 
changes described previously. These changes are consistent with the 
intent of the proposals in the NPRM and will not increase the economic 
burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Air Comm Corporation has issued SB AS350-111014, Revision B, dated 
January 10, 2017, for Airbus Helicopters AS350 series helicopters and 
SB EC130-6204, Revision B, dated January 10, 2017, for Airbus 
Helicopters EC130 series helicopters. Air Comm Corporation has also 
issued SB 206-110414 for Bell 206 series helicopters, Revision C, and 
SB 407-110414 for Bell Model 407 helicopters, Revision D, both dated 
January 13, 2017. This service information specifies inspecting certain 
aft evaporator blower motor and certain condenser blower electrical 
connectors for indications of overheating, discoloration, and plastic 
deformation and performing a pull test. This service information also 
specifies replacing connector housings and contacts that fail the 
inspection or the pull test.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    Air Comm Corporation has also issued the following:
    <bullet> SB AS350-111014 and SB EC130-6204, both Revision A and 
both dated July 6, 2016;
    <bullet> SB 206-110414, Revision B, dated January 10, 2017, and 
Revision A dated June 3, 2016; and
    <bullet> SB 407-110414, Revision C, dated January 10, 2017, and 
Revision B, dated July 6, 2016.
    This service information contains the same procedures described 
above. However, SB AS350-111014 and SB EC130-6204, both Revision B and 
dated January 10, 2017, contain additional instructions and figures for 
the connectors. SB 206-110414, Revision C, and SB 407-110414, Revision 
D, both dated January 13, 2017, contain minor corrections.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    The Air Comm service information specifies a compliance time of 20 
flight hours. This AD requires compliance within 90 hours time-in-
service. The Air Comm service information specifies inspecting each 
connector and replacing the connector housings and contacts that have 
any signs of overheating or that fail a pull test. This AD requires 
replacing each connector without an inspection. This AD also prohibits 
installing certain parts in certain part-numbered aft evaporator 
assemblies, aft evaporator blower assemblies, and aft condenser 
blowers.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 914 units installed on helicopters 
of U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 
per work-hour.
    Replacing the connectors takes about 1 work-hour and parts cost 
about $60 for a total estimated cost of $145 per helicopter and 
$132,530 for the U.S. fleet.
    According to Air Comm's service information, some of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by Air 
Comm. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.

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

    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):


[[Page 64437]]


2018-25-17 Air Comm Corporation (Air Comm) Air Conditioning Systems: 
Amendment 39-19528; Docket No. FAA-2017-1217; Product Identifier 
2016-SW-080-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in 
any category:
    (1) Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, 
AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, and AS350D1 helicopters with an Air Comm 
air conditioning system part number (P/N) AS350-202-1, AS350-202-2, 
AS350-202-3, AS350-202-4, AS350-202-5, AS350-204-1, AS350-204-2, 
AS350-204-3, AS350-204-4, AS350-204-5, AS350-204-6, AS350-204-7, 
AS350-204-8, AS350-204-9, AS350-204-10, AS350-204-11, or AS350-204-
12 installed.
    (2) Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 helicopters with an Air 
Comm air conditioning system P/N EC130-202-1, EC130-202-2, EC130-
202-3, EC130-202-4, EC130-202-5, EC130-202-6, EC130-202-7, or EC130-
202-8 installed.
    (3) Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 206A, 
206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters with an Air Comm 
air conditioning system P/N 206EC-200, 206EC-201, 206EC-202, 206EC-
203, 206EC-204, 206EC-205, 206EC-206, 206EC-207, 206EC-208, 206EC-
209, 206EC-210, 206EC-211, or 206EC-212 installed.
    (4) Bell Model 407 helicopters with an Air Comm air conditioning 
system P/N 407 EC-201, 407 EC-202, or 407 EC-203 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an overheated connector. 
This condition could result in a fire and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective January 22, 2019.

(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 90 hours time-in-service:
    (i) For Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, 
AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, and AS350D1 helicopters, replace 
each aft evaporator blower motor connector with an Air Comm 
connector as depicted in Figures 2, 3, and 4 of Air Comm Service 
Bulletin (SB) SB AS350-1110014, Revision B, dated January 10, 2017, 
by using a Deutsch HDT-48-00 or an equivalent MIL-DTL22520 Type 1 
crimping tool.
    (ii) For Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 helicopters, replace 
each aft evaporator blower motor connector with an Air Comm 
connector as depicted in Figures 2, 3, and 4 of Air Comm SB EC130-
6204, Revision B, dated January 10, 2017, by using a Deutsch HDT-48-
00 or an equivalent MIL-DTL22520 Type 1 crimping tool.
    (iii) For Bell Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-
4 helicopters, replace each aft evaporator blower motor connector 
with an Air Comm connector as depicted in Figures 4, 5, and 6 of Air 
Comm SB 206-110414, Revision C, dated January 13, 2017, by using a 
Deutsch HDT-48-00 or an equivalent MIL-DTL22520 Type 1 crimping 
tool.
    (iv) For Bell Model 407 helicopters, replace each aft evaporator 
blower motor connector with an Air Comm connector as depicted in 
Figures 4, 5, and 6 of Air Comm SB 407-110414, Revision D, dated 
January 13, 2017, by using a Deutsch HDT-48-00 or an equivalent MIL-
DTL22520 Type 1 crimping tool.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install the 
following in any aft evaporator assembly P/Ns AS350-6202-1, EC130-
6204-1, or EC130-6204-2; aft evaporator blower assembly P/Ns S-
6078EC-15, S-6102EC-3, or S-6102EC-4; or aft condenser blower P/Ns 
S-7060EC-1, S-7060EC-2, S-7062EC-1 or S-7062EC-2:
    (i) Plug P/N 03-09-1022 and 03-09-1032;
    (ii) Socket P/N 02-09-1103 and 02-09-1104;
    (iii) Receptacle P/N 03-09-2022 and 03-09-2032; and
    (iv) Pin P/N 02-09-2103.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    Replacing the connectors before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Air Comm SB 206-110414, Revision A, dated June 3, 
2016; SB AS350-111014 or SB EC130-6204, both Revision A and both 
dated July 6, 2016; SB 407-110414, Revision B, dated July 6, 2016; 
SB 206-110414, Revision B, dated January 10, 2017; or SB 407-110414, 
Revision C, dated January 10, 2017, is considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding required actions specified in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Denver ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for 
this AD. Send your proposal to: Matthew Bryant, Aerospace Engineer, 
Denver ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 26805 
East 68th Ave., Room 214, Denver, CO 80249; telephone (303) 342-
1092; email [email protected] and [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

    Air Comm SB 206-110414, Revision A, dated June 3, 2016; SB 
AS350-111014 or SB EC130-6204, both Revision A and both dated July 
6, 2016; SB 407-110414, Revision B, dated July 6, 2016; SB 206-
110414, Revision B, dated January 10, 2017; and SB 407-110414, 
Revision C, dated January 10, 2017, which are not incorporated by 
reference, contain additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Air Comm 
Corporation, 1575 West 124th Ave., Westminster, CO 80234; telephone 
(303) 440-4075; email [email protected]; website 
www.aircommcorp.com. You may review a copy of this service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2197, Air 
Conditioning System Wiring.

(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) Air Comm Corporation Service Bulletin (SB) SB AS350-111014, 
Revision B, dated January 10, 2017.
    (ii) Air Comm Corporation SB EC130-6204, Revision B, dated 
January 10, 2017.
    (iii) Air Comm Corporation SB 206-110414, Revision C, dated 
January 13, 2017.
    (iv) Air Comm Corporation SB 407-110414, Revision D, dated 
January 13, 2017.
    (3) For Air Comm service information identified in this AD, 
contact Air Comm Corporation, 1575 West 124th Ave., Westminster, CO 
80234; telephone (303) 440-4075; email [email protected]; 
website www.aircommcorp.com.
    (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 December 7, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-27134 Filed 12-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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