DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                Federal Aviation Administration
                14 CFR Part 39
                [Docket No. FAA20200238; Product Identifier 2018SW072AD]
                RIN 2120AA64
                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 EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a changed manufacturing process for the tail rotor blades (TRB) was implemented, affecting the structural characteristics of the blades and generating a new part number for these blades. This proposed AD would require re-identifying each affected TRB having a certain part number and serial number and establishing a life limit for the new part numbers. This AD also prohibits installation of any affected TRB identified with the old part number on 
                        
                        any helicopter. 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 April 27, 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:
                         2024932251.
                    
                    
                         
                        Mail:
                         U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12140, 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 9726410000 or 8002320323; fax 9726413775; 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 6N321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 817222 5110.
                    
                
                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. FAA20200238; 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:
                    
                        Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 8172225485; email 
                        Kristin.Bradley@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. FAA20200238; Product Identifier 2018SW072AD at the beginning of your comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because of those comments.
                
                
                    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.
                
                Discussion
                The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 20180182, dated August 28, 2018 (referred to after this as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Helicopters EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. EASA advises that a changed manufacturing process for TRBs was implemented, affecting the structural characteristic of the TRBs and generating a new part number for these blades. Because this is a newly established part number, no service life limit currently exists for this part. This EASA AD identifies a service life limit for the newly established TRB part numbers, which, if not required, might result in TRBs exceeding their life limit. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss of the TRB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The EASA AD also prohibits installation of any affected TRB identified with the old part number on any helicopter, and prohibits rework, repair, or modification of any affected part.
                
                    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at 
                    https://www.regulations.gov
                     by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA20200238.
                
                Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
                Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin EC13004A007, dated July 18, 2018 (ASB EC13004A007). This service information describes procedures for re-identifying a TRB with P/N 350A333002.02 for certain serial numbers, as specified in ASB EC13004A007.
                
                    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 our 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 because the FAA evaluated all the relevant information and determined 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 re-identifying each affected TRB with a new part number, establishing a life limit for the new TRB part number, and would prohibit installation of any affected TRB identified with the old part number on any helicopter.
                Difference Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service Information
                EASA AD 20180182 specifies to replace TRBs having P/N 350A333002.05. However, this part number is not installed on in-service helicopters and is not addressed in Airbus Helicopters ASB EC13004A007. Therefore, this AD does not require replacing TRBs having P/N 350A333002.05.
                Costs of Compliance
                
                    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 253 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
                    
                
                
                    Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
                    
                        Labor cost
                        Parts cost
                        
                            Cost per
                            product
                        
                        Cost on U.S. operators
                    
                    
                        1 work-hour  $85 per hour = $85
                        ** $0
                        $85
                        * $21,505
                    
                    * The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the additional applicable maintenance instructions specified in this proposed AD.
                    ** The FAA has received no definitive data on the parts costs for required actions.
                
                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 39AIRWORTHINESS 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. FAA20200238; Product Identifier 2018SW072AD.
                    
                    (a) Comments Due Date
                    The FAA must receive comments by April 27, 2020.
                    (b) Affected ADs
                    None.
                    (c) Applicability
                    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category.
                    (d) Subject
                    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 6410, Tail rotor blade.
                    (e) Reason
                    This AD was prompted by a report that a new manufacturing process for the tail rotor blades (TRBs) has been implemented, affecting the structural characteristics of the TRB and generating a new part number (P/N) for these blades. It was determined that a new life limit is needed for the new P/N TRBs. The FAA is issuing this AD to ensure the new P/N TRBs do not exceed their life limit, which could lead to loss of the TRB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
                    (f) Compliance
                    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
                    (g) Definition of an Affected Part for the Re-Identification and Validation of Rework/Repair/Modification
                    An affected part is a TRB having P/N 350A333002.02 and a serial number specified in Appendix 4.A. of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin EC13004A007, dated July 18, 2018 (ASB EC13004A007).
                    (h) Part Replacement (Life Limit Implementation)
                    Before exceeding 10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) since first installation on a helicopter: Remove from service each TRB having P/N 350A333002.04.
                    (i) Part Re-Identification and Validation of Rework/Repair/Modification
                    (1) Within 1,200 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD: Re-identify each affected part, in accordance with 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Helicopters ASB EC13004A007.
                    (2) For each affected part which has been subject to rework, repair, or modification before the re-identification, as required by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, contact the Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, for additional applicable maintenance instructions and, within the compliance time identified in those instructions, accomplish those instructions accordingly.
                    (j) Parts Installation Prohibition and Rework/Repair/Modification Limitation
                    (1) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a TRB having P/N 350A333002.02 and a serial number specified in Appendix 4.A. of ASB EC13004A007 on any helicopter.
                    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may accomplish any rework, repair, or modification of an affected part, unless it has been determined that the rework, repair, or modification is FAA-approved for P/N 350A333002.04.
                    (k) 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: Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 8172225485; 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, 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.
                    (l) Related Information
                    
                        (1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 20180182, dated August 28, 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. FAA20200238.
                        
                    
                    
                        (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 9726410000 or 8002320323; fax 9726413775; 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 6N321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 8172225110.
                    
                
                
                    Issued on March 4, 2020.
                    Gaetano A. Sciortino, 
                    Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
                
            
            [FR Doc. 202004973 Filed 31020; 8:45 am]
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