Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the jettisoning mechanism of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) cabin sliding plug doors. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that during a scheduled inspection a cabin door failed to jettison. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 9, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Fax: 202-493-2251.
• Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the “Mail” address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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-2017-1124; 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 proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

For service information identified in this proposed 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should submit only one time.

We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2017-0022, dated February 8, 2017, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters equipped with a cabin sliding plug door modified in accordance with Airbus Helicopters modification (MOD) 0722338. Helicopters with Eurocopter MOD 0725366 are exempt from the EASA AD's requirements.

EASA advises that the emergency jettison test of a cabin lateral sliding plug door failed during a scheduled inspection and test of the door's jettison mechanism. According to EASA, an investigation revealed that the jettison handle cable interfered with the cable clamps. EASA states that this condition could lead to jamming of the door jettisoning mechanism, preventing jettisoning of the affected door during an emergency, possibly obstructing evacuation of the occupants. The EASA AD consequently requires repetitive inspections of the jettisoning mechanism of the LH and RH door, followed by corrective actions if needed.

FAA's Determination

These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-52.00.56, Revision 0, dated January 30, 2017, which specifies pulling on the inner jettison handle to determine whether the cables come into contact with the cable clamps. If there is contact, this service information specifies changing the position of the cable clamps to prevent interference.

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

We also reviewed Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 332-52.00.28, Revision 1, dated April 29, 1998, which contains procedures to improve the door jettison system. Eurocopter identifies compliance with this service information as MOD 0725366.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require before flight over water or within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever occurs first, inspecting the jettisoning mechanism of the LH and RH cabin doors for correct operation by pulling on the inner jettison handle to determine whether the cable clamp contacts the top and bottom horizontal cables. If there is contact between cable clamp and the horizontal cables, this proposed AD would require changing the position of the cable clamps to remove any contact.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD requires that the initial inspection occur during the next jettisoning test of the doors or within 110 flight hours, whichever occurs first, and thereafter during certain maintenance tasks. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection within 110 hours TIS or prior to flying over water.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 19 helicopters of U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these estimates, we expect that inspecting the jettisoning mechanism and changing the orientation of the cable clamps, if necessary, would require 4 work-hours. No parts would be required for a total cost of $340 per helicopter and $6,460 for the U.S. fleet.

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

We 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, I certify this proposed regulation:

1. Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866;

2. Is not a “significant rule” under the 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 proposed 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

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.

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2017-1124; Product Identifier 2017-SW-073-AD.

(a) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a cabin sliding plug door installed in accordance with Airbus Helicopters modification (MOD) 0722338, except helicopters with a plug door jettison system installed in accordance with MOD 0725366.

(b) Unsafe Condition

This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a cabin sliding door to jettison, which could prevent helicopter occupants from evacuating the helicopter during an emergency.

(c) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by July 9, 2018.

(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 (TIS) or before the next operation over water, whichever occurs first, inspect the jettisoning mechanism of the left-hand and right-hand cabin doors for correct operation:

(1) Pull the jettisoning handle and determine whether the cable clamp contacts the top or bottom horizontal cables, using as a reference the photographs under paragraph 3.B.2 of Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-52.00.56, Revision 0, dated January 30, 2017 (ASB).

(2) If there is contact between a cable clamp and a horizontal cable, before further flight, install both cable clamps as depicted in the bottom photograph under paragraph 3.B.2 of the ASB.

(f) 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: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.

(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.

(g) Additional Information

(1) Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 332-52.00.28, Revision 1, dated April 29, 1998, 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 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.

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2017-0022, dated February 8, 2017. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket.

(h) Subject

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5200, Doors.