This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

32881 

Vol. 79, No. 110 

Monday, June 9, 2014 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0364; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–SW–041–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter 

France) (Airbus Helicopters) 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede 

airworthiness directive (AD) 2013–21– 

01 that currently applies to Eurocopter 

France Model AS350B, AS350BA, 

AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, 

AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, 

AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and 

AS355NP helicopters. AD 2013–21–01 

currently requires certain inspections of 

each tail rotor pitch horn assembly 

(pitch horn) for a crack and, if there is 

a crack, before further flight, replacing 

the pitch horn with an airworthy pitch 

horn. AD 2013–21–01 also requires a 

one-time visual inspection for pitch 

horns above certain hours time-inservice (TIS). This NPRM would retain 

the requirements of AD 2013–21–01 but 

would require a repetitive visual 

inspection for all pitch horns regardless 

of hours TIS, which requires allowing 

the public an opportunity to comment. 

These proposed actions are intended to 

detect a crack in the pitch horn to 

prevent failure of the pitch horn, loss of 

the anti-torque function, and subsequent 

loss of control of the helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by August 8, 2014. 

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 or in person at the 

Docket Operations Office between 9 

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 

docket contains this proposed AD, the 

foreign authority’s AD, the economic 

evaluation, any comments received and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations Office (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 AD, contact Airbus 

Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, 

Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 

(972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax 

(972) 641–3775; or at http:// 

www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. 

You may review the referenced 

service information at the FAA, Office 

of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 

Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 

663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Robert Grant, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 

76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

robert.grant@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 

On October 7, 2013, we issued AD 

2013–21–01, Amendment 39–17625 (78 

FR 63853, October 25, 2013) for 

Eurocopter France (now Airbus 

Helicopters) Model AS350B, AS350BA, 

AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, 

AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, 

AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and 

AS355NP helicopters. AD 2013–21–01 

requires a one-time visual inspection of 

each pitch horn with 135 or more hours 

TIS for a crack and, if there is a crack, 

before further flight, replacing the pitch 

horn with an airworthy pitch horn. It 

also requires a dye-penetrant inspection 

of any pitch horn before it is installed. 

AD 2013–21–01 was prompted by a 

report of a crack in the yoke of a pitch 

horn and is intended to detect a crack 

in the pitch horn to prevent failure of 

the pitch horn, loss of the anti-torque 

function, and subsequent loss of control 

of the helicopter. 

AD 2013–21–01 was prompted by AD 

No. 2013–0133, dated June 28, 2013, 

issued by the European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Union. EASA issued AD No. 

2013–0133 to correct an unsafe 

condition for Model AS350B, AS350BA, 

AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2, 

AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, 

AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and 

AS355NP helicopters. EASA advises of 

an ongoing investigation of a crack in 

the yoke of a pitch horn for which a 

cause has not been determined. The 

EASA AD requires repetitive visual 

inspections of each pitch horn for a 

crack and replacing the pitch horn with 

a serviceable assembly if a crack is 

found. EASA states that its AD is an 


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32882 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 110 / Monday, June 9, 2014 / Proposed Rules 

interim action and further action may 

follow. 

This NPRM would retain the actions 

in AD 2013–12–01 but would require 

the visual inspection for all pitch horns 

regardless of hours TIS. This NPRM 

would also require repeating the visual 

inspection every 165 hours TIS. This 

NPRM would also change the 

requirement for the dye penetration 

inspection so that it only applies to 

pitch horns that are not new. Also, since 

we issued AD 2013–12–01, Eurocopter 

France has changed its name to Airbus 

Helicopters. This NPRM reflects that 

change. 

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 the 

EASA 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 helicopters of 

the same type design. 

Related Service Information 

We reviewed a Eurocopter (now 

Airbus Helicopters) Emergency Alert 

Service Bulletin, Revision 1, dated June 

25, 2013 (EASB), with four different 

numbers. EASB No.05.00.74 is for 

Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, and D; 

the non-FAA type certificated Model 

AS350BB; and the non-FAA type 

certificated military Model AS350L1 

helicopters. EASB No. 05.00.49 is for 

non-FAA type certificated military 

Model AS550A2, C2, C3, and U2 

helicopters. EASB No. 05.00.65 is for 

Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, N, and NP 

helicopters. EASB No. 05.00.44 is for 

non-FAA type certificated military 

Model AS555AF, AN, SN, UF, and UN 

helicopters. Airbus Helicopters has been 

informed of a case of a crack on the yoke 

of a pitch horn, which may lead to 

failure of the pitch horn, resulting in 

loss of the anti-torque function. The 

EASB specifies a check for cracks on the 

yokes of the two pitch horns and 

specifies replacing any cracked pitch 

horn. The EASB states that it may be 

necessary to modify the log card of the 

tail rotor blade assembly due to some of 

the pitch horn part numbers being 

recorded incorrectly. 

EASA classified this EASB as 

mandatory and issued EASA AD No. 

2013–0133, dated June 28, 2013, to 

ensure the continued airworthiness of 

these helicopters. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require: 

• For parts with 155 or less hours 

TIS, before exceeding 165 hours TIS, or 

for parts with more than 155 hours TIS, 

within 10 hours TIS, visually inspecting 

each pitch horn for a crack. 

• Thereafter, at intervals not to 

exceed 165 hours TIS, visually 

inspecting each pitch horn for a crack. 

• After each inspection, if there is a 

crack, before further flight, replacing the 

pitch horn with an airworthy pitch 

horn. 

• Before installing any pitch horn, 

P/N 350A121368, with more than 0 

hours TIS, dye penetrant inspecting it 

for a crack. 

Differences Between the Proposed AD 

and the EASA AD 

The EASA AD applies to Eurocopter 

Model AS350BB that does not have an 

FAA type certificate and therefore is not 

a part of this proposed AD. The EASA 

AD does not apply to Eurocopter Model 

AS350C or AS350D1, but this proposed 

AD would because those models have 

an FAA type certificate and may have 

the applicable pitch horn installed. The 

proposed AD would require a dyepenetrant inspection before installing a 

pitch horn; the EASA AD does not. 

Interim Action 

We consider this AD to be an interim 

action. If final action is later identified, 

we might consider further rulemaking 

then. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 938 helicopters of U.S. 

Registry. We estimate that operators 

may incur the following costs in order 

to comply with this proposed AD. Labor 

costs are estimated at $85 per work 

hour. We estimate .1 work hour to 

visually inspect a pitch horn for a total 

cost of $8.50 per helicopter or $7,973 for 

the fleet, per inspection cycle. We 

estimate 1 work hour to do a dyepenetrant inspection, for a total cost of 

$85 per helicopter. We estimate 1 work 

hour to replace a part, if necessary, and 

a cost for required parts of $1,946, for 

a total cost of $2,031 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. 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by 

removing airworthiness directive (AD) 

2013–21–01, Amendment 39–17625 (78 

FR 63853, October 25, 2013), Docket No. 

FAA–2013–0878, Directorate Identifier 


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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 110 / Monday, June 9, 2014 / Proposed Rules 32883 

2013–SW–033–AD, and adding the 

following new AD: 

Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter 

France Helicopters) (Airbus 

Helicopters): Docket No. FAA–2014– 

0364; Directorate Identifier 2013–SW– 

041–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, 

AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, 

AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, 

AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters 

with tail rotor hub pitch horn (pitch horn) 

assembly, part number (P/N) 350A121368.01, 

350A121368.02, 350A121368.03, or 

350A121368.04, with a pitch horn, P/N 

350A121368.XX, where XX stands for a twodigit dash number, installed, certificated in 

any category. The pitch horn may be marked 

with either the pitch horn assembly P/N or 

pitch horn P/N. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition a 

crack in the yoke of a pitch horn. This 

condition could result in failure of a pitch 

horn, loss of the anti-torque function, and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 

(c) Affected ADs 

This AD supersedes AD 2013–21–01, 

Amendment 39–17625 (78 FR 63853, October 

25, 2013). 

(d) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by August 8, 

2014. 

(e) 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. 

(f) Required Actions 

(1) For parts with 155 or less hours timein-service (TIS), before exceeding 165 hours 

TIS, or for parts with more than 155 hours 

TIS, within 10 hours TIS, and thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 165 hours TIS, 

visually inspect each pitch horn for a crack 

in the areas shown in Figure 1 of Eurocopter 

Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 

05.00.74 or No. 05.00.65, both Revision 1 and 

both dated June 25, 2013, as appropriate for 

your model helicopter. 

(2) If there is a crack, before further flight, 

replace the pitch horn with an airworthy 

pitch horn. 

(3) Do not install a pitch horn, P/N 

350A121368 (any dash number), with more 

than 0 hours TIS on any helicopter unless it 

has passed a dye penetrant inspection for a 

crack in the areas shown in Figure 1 of 

Eurocopter EASB No. 05.00.74 or No. 

05.00.65, both Revision 1 and both dated 

June 25, 2013, as appropriate for your model 

helicopter. 

(g) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits are prohibited. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 

Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222– 

5110; email robert.grant@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. 

(i) Additional Information 

The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 

No. 2013–0133, dated June 28, 2013. You 

may view the EASA AD on the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 

FAA–2014–0364. 

(j) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6400 Tail Rotor. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 30, 

2014. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–13261 Filed 6–6–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0271; Airspace 

Docket No. 13–AWP–16] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Proposed Modification and 

Establishment of Area Navigation 

(RNAV) Routes; Western United States 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

modify three RNAV Q-routes and 

establish five Q-routes originating in 

Oakland Air Route Traffic Control 

Center’s (ARTCC) airspace. The routes 

would promote operational efficiencies 

for users and provide connectivity to 

current and proposed RNAV en route 

and terminal procedures. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before July 24, 2014. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001; telephone: 

(202) 366–9826. You must identify FAA 

Docket No. FAA–2014–0271 and 

Airspace Docket No. 13–AWP–16 at the 

beginning of your comments. You may 

also submit comments through the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul 

Gallant, Airspace Policy and 

Regulations Group, Office of Airspace 

Services, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 800 Independence 

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 

telephone: (202) 267–8783. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

Interested parties are invited to 

participate in this proposed rulemaking 

by submitting such written data, views, 

or arguments as they may desire. 

Comments that provide the factual basis 

supporting the views and suggestions 

presented are particularly helpful in 

developing reasoned regulatory 

decisions on the proposal. Comments 

are specifically invited on the overall 

regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 

environmental, and energy-related 

aspects of the proposal. 

Communications should identify both 

docket numbers (FAA Docket No. FAA– 

2014–0271 and Airspace Docket No. 13– 

AWP–16) and be submitted in triplicate 

to the Docket Management Facility (see 

ADDRESSES section for address and 

phone number). You may also submit 

comments through the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov. 

Commenters wishing the FAA to 

acknowledge receipt of their comments 

on this action must submit with those 

comments a self-addressed, stamped 

postcard on which the following 

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to FAA 

Docket No. FAA–2014–0271 and 

Airspace Docket No. 13–AWP–16.’’ The 

postcard will be date/time stamped and 

returned to the commenter. 

All communications received on or 

before the specified closing date for 

comments will be considered before 

taking action on the proposed rule. The 

proposal contained in this action may 

be changed in light of comments 

received. All comments submitted will 

be available for examination in the 

public docket both before and after the 

closing date for comments. A report 

summarizing each substantive public 

contact with FAA personnel concerned 

with this rulemaking will be filed in the 

docket. 


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