Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 55 (Friday, March 20, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15924-15926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05667]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0970; Product Identifier 2018-SW-089-AD; Amendment 
39-19870; AD 2020-05-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 
helicopters. This AD requires removing the drain plugs from the fuel 
tank compartments located under the bottom structure. This AD was 
prompted by the discovery that a modification to the fuel tank could 
lead to fuel accumulating in an area containing electrical equipment 
and subsequent ignition of fuel vapors. The actions of this AD are 
intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 24, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of April 24, 2020.

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 
https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You 
may view this 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0970.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No.

[[Page 15925]]

FAA-2019-0970; 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 Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously 
European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any service information 
that is incorporated by reference, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations 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: James Blyn, 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: 

Discussion

    On December 3, 2019, at 84 FR 66080, the Federal Register published 
the FAA's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 
14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters 
Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters, except 
those with modification 0726383 installed. The NPRM proposed to require 
removing drain plugs from the fuel tank compartments. The proposed 
requirements were intended to prevent fuel accumulating in an area 
containing electrical equipment and ignition of fuel vapors, which 
could result in a fire and subsequent damage to the helicopter or 
injury to the occupants.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2018-0209, dated September 21, 
2018 (EASA AD 2018-0209), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe 
condition for Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter 
France, Aerospatiale) Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and 
AS332L2 helicopters, except those with modification 0726383. EASA 
advises that during production of AS332 helicopters, closure of the 
fuel tank drains with plugs was implemented. EASA states that this 
closure disregards compliance with an airworthiness certification 
requirement and in the event of fuel leakage in flight, a closed fuel 
drain creates the risk of fuel accumulation and/or migration to an 
adjacent area. EASA advises this area may contain electrical equipment 
that could be susceptible to creating a source of ignition. 
Accordingly, EASA AD 2018-0209 requires modification of the draining 
system of the fuel tank compartments by removing the drain plugs from 
the fuel tank compartments located under the bottom structure.

Comments

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

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA of the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after 
evaluating all information provided by EASA and determining 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

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. AS332-53.01.62, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2019 (ASB AS332-53.01.62, 
Revision 1), which specifies procedures for removing the drain plugs 
from the fuel tank compartments located under the bottom structure of 
the helicopter. This service information also specifies that the number 
of drain plugs varies depending on the version of the helicopter.
    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

    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-53.01.62, 
Revision 0, dated June 7, 2018 (AS332-53.01.62, Revision 0). AS332-
53.01.62, Revision 0, contains the same procedures as AS332-53.01.62, 
Revision 1. However, AS332-53.01.62, Revision 1, also addresses 
military versions.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 11 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 
per work-hour.
    Removing the 6 drain plugs installed on Model AS332C and AS332C1 
helicopters takes about 2 work-hours for an estimated cost of $170 per 
helicopter and $170 for the U.S. fleet size of 1 helicopter.
    Removing the 7 drain plugs installed on Model AS332L, AS332L1, and 
AS332L2 helicopters takes about 2 work-hours for an estimated cost of 
$170 per helicopter and $1,700 for the U.S. fleet size of 10 
helicopters.

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.
    The FAA is 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. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    3. 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.

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:

[[Page 15926]]

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):

2020-05-20 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-19870; Docket No. FAA-
2019-0970; Product Identifier 2018-SW-089-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, 
AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters, certificated in any 
category, except those with modification 0726383 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as closure of fuel tank 
drains. This condition could result in fuel accumulating in an area 
containing electrical equipment and ignition of fuel vapors. This 
condition could result in a fire and subsequent damage to the 
helicopter or injury to the occupants.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 24, 2020.

(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 110 hours time-in-service or during the next scheduled 
maintenance, whichever occurs first:
    (1) For Model AS332C and AS332C1 helicopters, remove the 6 fuel 
tank drain plugs by following the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 3.B.2. of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
AS332-53.01.62, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2019 (ASB AS332-53.01.62), 
except you are not required to place the drain plugs in stock.
    (2) For Model AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters, remove 
the 7 fuel tank drain plugs by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2. of ASB AS332-53.01.62, except you are 
not required to place the drain plugs in stock.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the procedures specified in Airbus Helicopters Alert 
Service Bulletin No. AS332-53.01.62, Revision 0, dated June 7, 2018, 
are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
actions specified in paragraph (e) of this AD.

(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: 
James Blyn, 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, the FAA suggests 
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. AS332-
53.01.62, Revision 0, dated June 7, 2018, 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 
https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. 
You may view the referenced 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 Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) 
(EASA) AD No. 2018-0209, dated September 21, 2018. You may view the 
EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0970.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2810, Fuel 
Storage.

(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) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-
53.01.62, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) 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 
https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on March 11, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-05667 Filed 3-19-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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