Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

Citation85 FR 59217
Record Number2020-20631
Published date21 September 2020
CourtFederal Aviation Administration
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19. Amend § 930.211 by revising
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§ 930.211 Actions against administrative
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[FR Doc. 2020–17684 Filed 9–18–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325–39–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2020–0847; Product
Identifier 2018–SW–087–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Helicopters
AGENCY
: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION
: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
SUMMARY
: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B,
AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2,
AS350B3, and AS350D helicopters;
Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1,
AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP
helicopters; and Model EC130 B4 and
EC130 T2 helicopters. This proposed
AD was prompted by a report of a
missing retaining ring of the inner race
of the main rotor mast (MRM) upper
bearing. This proposed AD would
require a one-time inspection to verify
the presence and correct installation of
the MRM upper bearing retaining rings,
a repetitive inspection of the sealant
bead on the MRM for damage, and
corrective actions if necessary. The FAA
is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES
: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by November 5,
2020.
ADDRESSES
: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202–493–2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this NPRM, 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 service information at the
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX
76177.
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–
0847; 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 NPRM, the
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information (MCAI), any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is
listed above. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
:
Scott Franke, Aviation Safety Engineer,
International Validation Branch,
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort
Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222–
5110; email scott.franke@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under the
ADDRESSES
section. Include
‘‘Docket No. FAA–2020–0847; Product
Identifier 2018–SW–087–AD’’ at the
beginning of your comments. The most
helpful comments reference a specific
portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change,
and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by
the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
FAA will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
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that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Scott Franke, Aviation
Safety Engineer, International
Validation Branch, General Aviation &
Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone
817 222–5110; email scott.franke@
faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(now European Union Aviation Safety
Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD
2018–0206, dated September 20, 2018
(referred to after this as the Mandatory
Continuing Airworthiness Information,
or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Airbus Helicopters
Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350BB,
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and
AS350D helicopters; Model AS355E,
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N,
and AS355NP helicopters; and Model
EC130 B4 and EC130 T2 helicopters.
Model AS355BB helicopters are not
certificated by the FAA and are not
included on the U.S. type certificate
data sheet; this proposed AD therefore
does not include those helicopters in
the applicability. EASA advises that
during a scheduled inspection on an
Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3
helicopter, one of the two retaining
rings of the inner race of the MRM
upper bearing was found missing. These
two retaining rings ensure that the inner
race is correctly positioned with respect
to the rollers, and, if one or both of these
retaining rings are missing, it can lead
to an unlimited shift of the inner race
and compromise the function of the
MRM upper bearing. This condition, if
not detected and corrected, can lead to
damage to the MRM and surrounding
elements, possibly resulting in loss of
control of the helicopter.
Airbus Helicopters developed an
inspection to check that the upper and
lower retaining rings of the inner race of
the MRM upper bearing are present and
correctly installed. EASA determined
that the same condition may exist or
develop on Airbus Helicopters Model
AS350 helicopters, Model AS355
helicopters, and Model EC130
helicopters because they share a similar
design and supply chain. Until the
check of the upper and lower bearing
retaining rings is accomplished, EASA
specifies that repetitive inspections of
the MRM upper bearing sealant bead
(sealant bead) should be accomplished
to ensure the MRM remains serviceable.
EASA considers the actions specified in
the MCAI an interim measure pending
further investigation results, and notes
that further AD action may follow.
You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2020–
0847.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
Airbus Helicopters has issued the
following service information.
Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin AS350–62.00.42, Revision 0,
dated September 17, 2018.
Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin AS355–62.00.37, Revision 0,
dated September 17, 2018.
Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin EC130–62A017, Revision 0,
dated September 17, 2018.
This service information describes
procedures for a one-time inspection to
verify presence and correct installation
of the MRM upper bearing retaining
rings, a repetitive inspection of the
sealant bead on the MRM for damage,
and corrective actions. Damage of the
sealant bead includes flaws, cracks,
folds, separation, or absence of the
sealant bead. Corrective actions include
repair and replacement. These
documents are distinct since they apply
to different helicopter models.
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.
FAA’s Determination
This product has been approved by
the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to the
FAA’s bilateral agreement with the State
of Design Authority, the FAA has been
notified of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. The FAA
is proposing this AD after evaluating all
the relevant information and
determining the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Proposed Requirements of This NPRM
This proposed AD would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described
previously, except as discussed under
‘‘Differences Between this Proposed AD
and the MCAI.’’
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the MCAI
Although the MCAI specifies
accomplishing the inspection of the
installation of the MRM upper bearing
inner race retaining rings within 660
hours time in service (TIS) or 24
months, whichever occurs first, the FAA
has determined that interval would not
address the identified unsafe condition
soon enough to ensure an adequate level
of safety for the affected fleet. In
developing an appropriate compliance
time for this AD, the FAA considered
the degree of urgency associated with
the subject unsafe condition and the
manufacturer’s recommendation. In
light of all of these factors, the FAA
finds that a compliance time of within
660 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever
occurs first, represents an appropriate
interval of time for affected helicopters
to continue to operate without
compromising safety.
Although paragraph (5) of the MCAI
specifies that operators may contact the
manufacturer for instructions if there
are signs of degradation on the MRM
inner race, paragraph (i)(3) of this
proposed AD would require operators to
repair or replace the MRM if there is any
degradation as indicated by damage to
the retaining rings (including but not
limited to cracks, scratches, and
gouges), deterioration, or wear.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed
AD affects 1,212 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this
proposed AD:
E
STIMATED
C
OSTS FOR
R
EQUIRED
A
CTIONS
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S.
operators
Up to 30 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $2,550 .............. $0 Up to $2,550 ........................... Up to $3,090,600.
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The FAA estimates the following
costs to do any necessary on-condition
actions that would be required based on
the results of any required actions. The
FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these
on-condition actions:
E
STIMATED
C
OSTS OF
O
N
-C
ONDITION
A
CTIONS
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
Up to 80 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $6,800 ............................. Up to $33,124 ................................ Up to $39,924.
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 products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this
proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:
(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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA–2020–
0847; Product Identifier 2018–SW–087–
AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by
November 5, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters,
certificated in any category, as identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD.
(1) Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1,
AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D
helicopters.
(2) Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1,
AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP
helicopters.
(3) Model EC130 B4 and EC130 T2
helicopters.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code 6230, Main Rotor Mast Inner Race
Rings.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of a
missing retaining ring of the inner race of the
main rotor mast (MRM) upper bearing. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address this
condition, which, if not detected and
corrected, can lead to damage to the MRM
and surrounding elements, possibly resulting
in loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Definitions
(1) For the purposes of this AD, an affected
part is any MRM having part number (P/N)
350A37–1290–XX (where XX can be any
numerical combination) and a serial number
as listed in Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin AS350–62.00.42, Revision 0, dated
September 17, 2018; Airbus Helicopters Alert
Service Bulletin AS355–62.00.37, Revision 0,
dated September 17, 2018; or Airbus
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin EC130–
62A017, Revision 0, dated September 17,
2018, as applicable to your model helicopter,
unless the upper bearing inner race retaining
rings are verified to be installed correctly as
specified in the inspection required in
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
(2) For the purposes of this AD, a Group
1 helicopter is one on which an affected part
is installed.
(3) For the purposes of this AD, a Group
2 helicopter is one on which an affected part
is not installed.
(h) MRM Upper Sealant Bead Inspection
(1) For Group 1 helicopters, within the
compliance time specified in Figure 1 to
paragraph (h) of this AD, and, thereafter, at
intervals not to exceed 165 hours time-in-
service (TIS): Inspect the MRM upper bearing
sealant bead for damage in accordance with
section 3.B.2.a of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Helicopters Alert
Service Bulletin AS350–62.00.42, Revision 0,
dated September 17, 2018; Airbus
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin AS355–
62.00.37, Revision 0, dated September 17,
2018; or Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin EC130–62A017, Revision 0, dated
September 17, 2018, as applicable to your
model helicopter, except you are not required
to discard the plastic clamps (Item vv). For
the purposes of this inspection, damage may
be indicated by flaws, cracks, folds,
separation, or absence of the sealant bead.
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Note 1 to paragraph (h)(1): Unless
specified otherwise, the hours TIS specified
in figure 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD are
those accumulated on the effective date of
this AD by the helicopter since first flight.
(2) If, during any inspection of the MRM
upper bearing sealant bead as required by
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, there is damage,
before further flight, inspect the installation
of the MRM upper bearing inner race
retaining rings for discrepancies in
accordance paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
(i) MRM Inner Race Retaining Rings
Inspection
(1) For Group 1 Helicopters: Within 660
hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs
first after the effective date of this AD:
Inspect the installation of the MRM upper
bearing inner race retaining rings for
discrepancies in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of section
3.B.2.b of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin AS350–62.00.42, Revision 0, dated
September 17, 2018; Airbus Helicopters Alert
Service Bulletin AS355–62.00.37, Revision 0,
dated September 17, 2018; or Airbus
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin EC130–
62A017, Revision 0, dated September 17,
2018, as applicable to your model helicopter,
except you are not required to discard the
plastic clamps (Item vv). For the purposes of
this inspection, discrepancies may be
indicated by incorrect positioning or missing
rings.
(2) If, during the inspection by paragraphs
(i)(1) of this AD there are any discrepancies,
before further flight, remove the affected part,
inspect the MRM inner race for degradation,
and replace the retaining rings in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of
section 3.B.2.c of Airbus Helicopters Alert
Service Bulletin AS350–62.00.42, Revision 0,
dated September 17, 2018; Airbus
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin AS355–
62.00.37, Revision 0, dated September 17,
2018; or Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin EC130–62A017, Revision 0, dated
September 17, 2018, as applicable to you
model helicopter, except you are not required
to return parts to Airbus Helicopters. For the
purposes of this inspection, degradation is
indicated by damage to the retaining rings
(including but not limited to cracks,
scratches, and gouges), deterioration, or wear.
(3) If, during the inspection of the MRM
inner race, as required by paragraph (i)(2) of
this AD, there is any degradation, before next
flight, repair or replace the MRM.
(j) Terminating Action
Verification on a helicopter of correct
installation of the MRM upper bearing inner
race retaining rings, as required by paragraph
(i)(1) of this AD, or corrective action on a
helicopter, as specified in paragraphs (h)(2),
(i)(2), or (i)(3) of this AD, as applicable,
constitute terminating action for the
repetitive inspections required by paragraph
(h)(1) of this AD for that helicopter.
(k) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no
person may install, on any helicopter, an
affected part as identified in paragraph (g)(1)
of this AD.
(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: Scott Franke,
Aviation Safety Engineer, International
Validation Branch, General Aviation &
Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222–
5110; email scott.franke@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, 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.
(m) Related Information
(1) The subject of this AD is addressed in
European Aviation Safety Agency (now
European Union Aviation Safety Agency)
(EASA) AD 2018–0206, dated September 20,
2018. This EASA AD may be found in the AD
docket on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA–2020–0847.
(2) 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 this
service information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth,
TX 76177.
Issued on September 15, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–20631 Filed 9–18–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA–2020–0823; Airspace
Docket No. 20–AAL–49]
RIN 2120–AA66
Proposed Technical Amendment to
Separate Terminal Airspace Areas
from Norton Sound Low, Woody Island
Low, Control 1234L, and Control 1487L
Offshore Airspace Areas; Alaska
AGENCY
: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION
: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
SUMMARY
: This action proposes to
amend the following Offshore Airspace
Areas in Alaska: Norton Sound Low,
Woody Island Low, Control 1234L, and
Control 1487L. The FAA found an error
with the Offshore Airspace Legal
Descriptions containing airspace
descriptions not related to the need to
apply IFR en route Air Traffic Control
services in international airspace. This
action would correct that error by
removing terminal airspace, airspace
associated with geographic coordinates,
and airspace associated with NAVAIDs
from the Offshore Airspace legal
descriptions.
DATES
: Comments must be received on
or before November 5, 2020.
ADDRESSES
: Send comments on this
proposal to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590; telephone:
1(800) 647–5527, or (202) 366–9826.
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