Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 13, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8961-8963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04532]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0336; Product Identifier 2017-SW-130-AD; Amendment 
39-19588; AD 2019-05-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
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 Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135P1, 
EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 
helicopters. This AD requires replacing the retaining ring and 
inspecting the hoist cable hook assembly (hook). This AD was prompted 
by a report that a hook detached from the hoist cable. The actions of 
this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 17, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of April 17, 2019.

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.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. It is also available 
on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0336.

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-2018-
0336; 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, any 
incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic evaluation, 
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: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On September 7, 2018 at 83 FR 45364, 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 EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, 
and EC135T3 helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require, within 90 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 180 
hours TIS, replacing the retaining ring and inspecting the elastomeric 
energy absorber for a permanent compression set, and if necessary, 
replacing the elastomeric energy absorber before the next hoist 
operation. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent 
detachment of a hook from a hoist cable resulting in in-flight failure 
of the hoist, which could result in injury to persons being lifted.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2017-0199, dated October 11, 2017, 
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 EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, 
EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, EC635P2+, EC635P3, EC635T1, EC635T2+, and 
EC635T3 helicopters. EASA advises of a report of a hook separating from 
the hoist cable. According to EASA, an investigation determined that 
failure of the internal retaining ring combined with a permanent 
compression set of the elastomeric energy absorber caused the 
separation. EASA states that this condition, if not corrected, could 
lead to the detachment of an external load or person from the hoist, 
possibly resulting in personal injury or injury to persons on the 
ground. The EASA AD consequently requires repetitive inspections of the 
hook assembly and replacement of the retaining ring.
    EASA considers its AD an interim measure and states that further AD 
action may follow.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, 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.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. The design approval 
holder is currently developing a modification that will address the 
unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is 
developed, approved, and available, we might consider additional 
rulemaking.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires corrective actions in terms of months in 
service. This AD requires compliance within 90 hours TIS and thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 180 hours TIS. The EASA AD applies to Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC635P2+, EC635P3, EC635T1, EC635T2+, and EC635T3 
helicopters. This AD does not because these model helicopters have no 
FAA type certificate.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Goodrich Service Bulletin No. 44301-10-17, Revision 4, 
dated July 26, 2017 (SB 44301-10-17).

[[Page 8962]]

SB 44301-10-17 is attached as an appendix to Airbus Helicopters Alert 
Service Bulletin No. ASB EC135-85A-069, Revision 0, dated August 2, 
2017 (ASB EC135-85A-069). SB 443301-10-17 is incorporated by reference 
in this AD. ASB EC135-85A-069 is not incorporated by reference in this 
AD. This service information specifies an initial and repetitive 
inspections of the hook assembly and replacement of the retaining ring. 
If the inspections of elastomeric energy absorber detect a permanent 
compression set, this service information also specifies replacing the 
elastomeric energy absorber.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 278 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.
    Inspecting the hoist cable hook assembly and replacing the 
retaining ring requires 0.5 work-hour and parts are minimal for an 
estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $11,954 for the U.S. fleet per 
inspection cycle. Replacing an elastomeric energy absorber requires 0.5 
work-hour and parts cost $2,152 for an estimated cost of $2,195 per 
helicopter.

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):

2019-05-06 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-19588; 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0336; Product Identifier 2017-SW-130-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and 
EC135T3 helicopters, certificated in any category, with an external 
mounted hoist (hoist) part number (P/N) and hook assembly (hook) P/N 
shown in Table 1 to paragraph (a) of this AD:

                        Table 1 to Paragraph (a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Hoist P/Ns                           Hook P/Ns
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               44301-10-2                            44301-420
               44301-10-5                            44301-420
               44301-10-6                            44301-420
              44301-10-10                            44301-423
              44301-10-11                            44301-423
              44301-10-12                            44301-423
              44301-10-13                            44301-423
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as detachment of a hook 
from a hoist cable resulting in in-flight failure of the hoist, 
which could result in injury to persons being lifted.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 17, 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

    Within 90 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 180 hours TIS:
    (1) Inspect the hook and determine whether the elastomeric 
energy absorber has taken a permanent compression set by following 
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A and 2.B, of Goodrich 
Service Bulletin No. 44301-10-17, Revision 4, dated July 26, 2017 
(SB 44301-10-17). If the elastomeric energy absorber has taken a 
permanent compression set, replace the elastomeric energy absorber 
before the next hoist operation.
    (2) Replace the retaining ring by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 2.D through 2.K, of SB 44301-10-17.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits may be permitted provided the hoist is 
not used.

(g) 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: 
David Hatfield, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 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.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB EC135-85A-
069, Revision 0, dated August 2, 2017, 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

[[Page 8963]]

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. 2017-0199, dated October 11, 2017. You 
may view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
in Docket No. FAA-2018-0336.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2500, Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

(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) Goodrich Service Bulletin No. 44301-10-17, Revision 4, dated 
July 26, 2017.

    Note 1 to paragraph (j)(2)(i): Goodrich Service Bulletin No. 
44301-10-17, Revision 4, dated July 26, 2017, is attached to Airbus 
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-85A-069, Revision 0, 
dated August 2, 2017, which is not incorporated by reference in this 
AD.

    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Goodrich 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.
    (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 March 1, 2019.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-04532 Filed 3-12-19; 8:45 am]
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