Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60883-60884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21415]



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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 189 / Tuesday, September 29, 2020 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 60883]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0271; Product Identifier 2017-SW-017-AD; Amendment 
39-21259; AD 2020-20-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2 helicopters. This AD requires 
performing a test of the main rotor RPM (NR) indicator, and depending 
on the results, altering the wiring. This AD was prompted by reports of 
some NR indicators displaying incorrect information. The actions of 
this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 3, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of November 3, 
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 the 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-2020-
0271.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0271; 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 (now European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any service information that is 
incorporated by reference, any comments received, and other 
information. The 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: George Schwab, 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

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters 
Model AS350B2 helicopters with a certain part-numbered NR sensor 
installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 23, 2020 
(85 FR 16279). The NPRM proposed to require compliance with certain 
procedures described in the manufacturer's service bulletins. For Model 
AS350B2 helicopters with an NR sensor part number 704A37614007 
installed, the NPRM proposed to require, before further flight, 
performing a test to determine if the NR indicator display changes or 
drops to zero when the emergency cut-out control is activated. If the 
NR display changes or drops to zero during the ground run, the NPRM 
proposed to require, before further flight, altering the NR sensor 
wiring.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2016-0260, dated December 21, 
2016, 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 AS350B2 helicopters with a certain part-numbered NR 
sensor installed. EASA advises of several occurrences where the NR 
indicator has displayed incorrect data. According to EASA, an 
investigation determined that whenever the emergency cut-out control 
was activated, such as during a practice autorotation, electrical power 
to the NR indicator was lost. The EASA AD states that this condition, 
if not detected and corrected, could result in a significant increase 
in pilot workload, disruption of the autorotation training, and 
subsequent reduced control of the helicopter. To address this unsafe 
condition, the EASA AD requires a functional check of the NR indicator 
display, and, if required, altering the wiring to ensure a dual power 
supply to the NR indicator.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received one comment in support of 
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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires compliance within 75 flight hours, within 90 
days, or before the next autorotation training flight, whichever occurs 
first. This AD requires compliance before further flight due to the 
critical nature of NR information for the pilot during an autorotation.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
AS350-63.00.27, Revision 0, dated May 17, 2016. This service 
information contains procedures for performing a functional check of 
the NR indicator, and, if necessary, altering the wiring to add a 
direct battery supply to the NR

[[Page 60884]]

indicator. Airbus Helicopters identifies this alteration as 
Modification 350A084886.00.
    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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 352 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.
    Performing a functional test of the NR indicator takes about 0.5 
work-hours for an estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $15,136 for 
the U.S. fleet.
    If required, altering the NR sensor wiring takes about 2 work-
hours, and parts cost about $154, for an estimated cost of $324 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.
    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:

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):

2020-20-03 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-21259; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0271; Product Identifier 2017-SW-017-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2 helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with a main rotor RPM (NR) sensor part 
number 704A37614007 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as loss of electrical power 
to the NR indicator when the emergency cutout control is activated. 
This condition could result in increased pilot workload and reduced 
helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 3, 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

    Before further flight, perform a ground run-up with the fuel 
flow control lever in the flight gate with the collective control in 
the down/locked position. While at flight NR speed, activate the 
emergency cut-out control and observe the NR indicator display 
value. If the NR indicator display changes or drops to zero, before 
further flight, do the following:
    (1) Alter the NR indicator wiring as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 
of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS350-63.00.27, 
Revision 0, dated May 17, 2016; and,

    Note 1 to paragraph (e)(1):  Airbus Helicopters identifies the 
alteration of the wiring as Modification 350A084886.00.

    (2) Conduct a continuity test to confirm correct alteration of 
the wiring.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 
817-222-5110; [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.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD No. 
2016-0260, dated December 21, 2016. You may view the EASA AD on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2020-0271.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6340, Main Rotor 
Drive Indicating System.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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. AS350-
63.00.27, Revision 0, dated May 17, 2016.
    (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 the 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 September 18, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-21415 Filed 9-28-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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