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

31229 

Vol. 79, No. 105 

Monday, June 2, 2014 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0333; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–SW–025–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 adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 

Helicopters Model EC225LP, AS332C, 

AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 

helicopters. This proposed AD would 

require inspecting each TECALEMIT 

flexible hydraulic hose (hose) installed 

in the main gearbox (MGB) 

compartment and replacing the hose if 

a crack, cut, or other damage exists. This 

proposed AD is prompted by reports 

about the loss of in-flight hydraulic 

pressure on Eurocopter helicopters. The 

proposed actions are intended to 

prevent loss of the hydraulic system and 

consequently, loss of helicopter control. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by August 1, 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 

European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) 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: Rao 

Edupuganti, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 

(817) 222–5110; email rao.edupuganti@

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. 2013– 

0069, dated March 18, 2013, to correct 

an unsafe condition for Eurocopter (now 

Airbus Helicopters) Model AS332C, 

AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 

and EC225LP helicopters. EASA advises 

that in-flight losses of hydraulic 

pressure were reported on these 

helicopters because of ‘‘significant’’ 

tears on the protection sheath of MGB 

hydraulic flexible ‘‘pipes’’ 

manufactured by TECALEMIT. This 

condition could lead to simultaneous 

left-hand and right-hand hydraulic 

system leakage, loss of the hydraulic 

system, and consequently, loss of 

helicopter control could occur, EASA 

advises. 

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 

Eurocopter issued Service Bulletin 

(SB) No. EC225–05–027, Revision 1, 

dated July 17, 2013, for Model EC225LP 

helicopters and SB No. AS332–05.00.92, 

Revision 1, dated July 17, 2013, for 

Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, 

AS332L1, AS332L2 and military Model 

AS332B, AS332B1, AS332F1, AS332M 

and AS332M1 helicopters. The SBs state 

Eurocopter received a report concerning 

the loss of pressure in the left-hand 

hydraulic system in-flight. Hydraulic 

fluid was found in the cabin, though the 

flight was completed without further 

incident. An examination of the 

hydraulic system showed that the hose 

located between the forward servoVerDate Mar<15>2010 15:53 May 30, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\02JNP1.SGM 02JNP1

emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
31230 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 105 / Monday, June 2, 2014 / Proposed Rules 

control and the hydraulic manifold had 

burst. Further investigations have 

shown corrosion on the metal braid 

located under the fire-resistant sheath of 

hoses manufactured by TECALEMIT. 

The corrosion may be caused by the 

deterioration or gaping of the fireresistant sheath at the hose ends, 

enabling humidity to enter between the 

sheath and the metal braid. Eurocopter 

recommends inspecting the hoses 

regardless of their manufacturer. As a 

result, the SBs require checking each 

hose for a notch, tear, crack, or friction 

mark, measuring any damage found, and 

replacing any hose that has damage. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require: 

Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) 

and every 110 hours TIS thereafter, 

visually inspecting each TECALEMIT 

hose installed in the MGB compartment. 

If there is a cut or crack in the hose 

sheath that allows you to see the metal 

braid underneath, replace the hose 

before further flight. If there is a cut, 

crack or other damage in the hose on the 

right hand hydraulic system that does 

not allow you to see the metal braid 

underneath, replace the hose with an 

airworthy hose within 300 hours TIS. If 

there is a cut, crack or other damage in 

the hose on the left hand hydraulic 

system that does not allow you to see 

the metal braid underneath, replace the 

hose with an airworthy hose within 600 

hours TIS. 

Differences Between the Proposed AD 

and the EASA AD 

The EASA AD requires a one-time 

inspection, while the proposed AD 

would require that the inspection of the 

hoses be repeated every 110 hours TIS. 

The EASA AD requires that if severe 

damage is found in a hose on the right 

hand hydraulic system then the hose be 

replaced before the next flight, while the 

proposed AD would require this 

regardless of whether the hose is on the 

right hand or left hand hydraulic 

system. The EASA AD applies to Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS332C1 helicopter. 

The proposed AD would not because 

Model AS332C1 helicopters have no 

FAA type certificate. The EASA had sets 

some compliance times based on 

months. We set compliance times based 

only on hours TIS. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 19 helicopters of U.S. 

Registry and that labor costs average $85 

a work-hour. Based on these estimates, 

we expect the following costs: 

Inspecting the hoses installed in a 

MGB compartment would require 1.5 

work-hours for a labor cost of about 

$128 per helicopter, $2,432 for the U.S. 

fleet. 

Replacing a hose would require 2.5 

work-hours for a labor cost of about 

$213. Parts would cost $2,000 for a total 

cost of $2,213 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 proposed 

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 adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter 

France) (Airbus Helicopters): Docket No. 

FAA–2014–0333; Directorate Identifier 

2013–SW–025–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Model EC225LP, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, 

and AS332L2 helicopters with a TECALEMIT 

main gear box (MGB) hydraulic flexible hose 

(hose) installed, certificated in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

loss of hydraulic pressure because of the 

failure of a hose. This condition could result 

in loss of the hydraulic system and 

consequently, loss of helicopter control. 

(c) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by August 1, 

2014. 

(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 

(1) Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS), 

and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 

hours TIS, visually inspect each TECALEMIT 

hose installed in the MGB compartment for 

a cut, crack, or other damage. 

(2) If there is a cut, crack, or any other 

damage in the hose sheath that allows you to 

see the metal braid underneath when 

pinching or twisting the sheath, replace the 

hose before further flight. 

(3) If there is a cut, crack, or any other 

damage in the hose sheath on the right hand 

hydraulic system that does not allow you to 

see the metal braid underneath, replace the 

hose within 300 hours TIS. 

(4) If there is a cut, crack, or any other 

damage in the hose sheath on the left hand 

hydraulic system that does not allow you to 

see the metal braid underneath, replace the 

hose within 600 hours TIS. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 105 / Monday, June 2, 2014 / Proposed Rules 31231 

Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 

telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

rao.edupuganti@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 (SB) No. 

EC225–05–027 and SB No. AS332–05.00.92, 

both Revision 1 and dated July 17, 2013; 

Eurocopter SB No. AS332–29.00.17 and SB 

No. EC225–29–005, both Revision 0 and both 

dated June 21, 2013; and Eurocopter 

Information Notice No. 2506–I–29, Revision 

2, dated July 24, 2013; which are not 

incorporated by reference, contain additional 

information about the subject of this AD. For 

service information identified in this 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. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 

AD No. 2013–0069, dated March 18, 2013. 

You may view the EASA AD on the Internet 

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

FAA–2014–0333. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 2910, Main Hydraulic System. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 21, 

2014. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–12740 Filed 5–30–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0335; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–SW–021–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky 

Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Sikorsky Model S–76A, S–76B, and S– 

76C helicopters with a main gearbox 

(MGB) installed that has undergone 

certain repairs. This proposed AD 

would require inspecting the MGB 

lower housing jet bores for leaks, paint 

or caulk blistering, and liner protrusion. 

This proposed AD is prompted by 

several reports of MGB low oil pressure 

warnings which were determined to be 

the result of unsecured jet bore liners 

that had protruded. The proposed 

actions are intended to prevent failure 

of the MGB from loss of oil, which 

could result in subsequent loss of 

control of the helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by August 1, 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 

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 Sikorsky 

Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service 

Engineering, 124 Quarry Road, 

Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1–800– 

Winged–S or 203–416–4299; email 

sikorskywcs@sikorsky.com. 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: 

Jeffrey Lee, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 

Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, 

Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 

238–7161; email jeffrey.lee@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 

We have received four reports of 

protruding jet bore liners on Sikorsky S– 

76 helicopters with a MGB, part number 

(P/N) 76351–09000 series, 76351–09500 

series, and 76351–09600 series, that 

have been repaired in accordance with 

Sikorsky Overhaul and Repair 

Instruction (ORI) No. 76350–065, 

Revisions A through E. Two of the 

protruding liners were discovered 

following low MGB oil pressure 

warnings, and two were discovered on 

the same MGB during maintenance. 

Subsequent investigation revealed that 

during an overhaul of the MGB, the jet 

bore liner retaining pins were not 

adequately drilled into the liner, 

allowing the jet bore liner to move in 

the housing. The investigation 

determined that the ORI instructions 

did not adequately describe procedures 

and housing wall thickness limitations 

for installing the retaining pins. 

Movement of the jet bore liner into the 

housing allows oil to leak between the 

liner and the housing, possibly resulting 

in loss of oil in the MGB, which could 

result in failure of the MGB and 

subsequent loss of control of the 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS