46862 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 180 / Monday, September 17, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 

Office, as appropriate. If sending information 

directly to the International Section, send it 

to the attention of the person identified in 

paragraph (l)(2) of this AD. Information may 

be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOCREQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any 

approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 

principal inspector, or lacking a principal 

inspector, the manager of the local flight 

standards district office/certificate holding 

district office. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain corrective 

actions from a manufacturer, the action must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Section, 

Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or 

Fokker Services B.V.’s EASA Design 

Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 

the DOA, the approval must include the 

DOA-authorized signature. 

(3) Reporting Requirements: A federal 

agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a 

person is not required to respond to, nor 

shall a person be subject to a penalty for 

failure to comply with a collection of 

information subject to the requirements of 

the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 

collection of information displays a current 

valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 

Control Number for this information 

collection is 2120–0056. Public reporting for 

this collection of information is estimated to 

be approximately 1 hour per response, 

including the time for reviewing instructions, 

completing and reviewing the collection of 

information. All responses to this collection 

of information are mandatory. Comments 

concerning the accuracy of this burden and 

suggestions for reducing the burden should 

be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence 

Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 

Information Collection Clearance Officer, 

AES–200. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 

2017–0163, dated September 4, 2017; 

corrected September 5, 2017, for related 

information. This MCAI may be found in the 

AD docket on the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2018–0448. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Tom Rodriquez, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Section, Transport Standards 

Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des 

Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax 206–231– 

3226. 

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100–32– 

169, dated August 23, 2017. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Fokker Services B.V., 

Technical Services Dept., P.O. Box 1357, 

2130 EL Hoofddorp, the Netherlands; phone: 

+31 (0)88–6280–350; fax: +31 (0)88–6280– 

111; email: technicalservices@fokker.com; 

internet: http://www.myfokkerfleet.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 

2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http://

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on 

August 30, 2018. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–19754 Filed 9–14–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0384; Product 

Identifier 2017–SW–061–AD; Amendment 

39–19401; AD 2018–19–01] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS–365N2, AS 365 

N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA–365N1, and 

SA–366G1 helicopters. This AD requires 

repetitive inspections of the aft fuselage 

outer skin. This AD was prompted by 

several reports of aft fuselage outer skin 

disbonding. The actions of this AD are 

intended to address an unsafe condition 

on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective October 22, 

2018. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain documents listed in this AD 

as of October 22, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final 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. 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. It is also available on the internet 

at http://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2018–0384. 

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–2018– 

0384; 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 AD, the 

European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD, any incorporated-byreference service information, the 

economic evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations 

(phone: 800–647–5527) is U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 

20590. 

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: 

Discussion 

On May 9, 2018, at 83 FR 21194, the 

Federal Register published our notice of 

proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which 

proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 

adding an AD that would apply to 

Airbus Helicopters Model AS–365N2, 

AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA– 

365N1, and SA–366G1 helicopters. 

The NPRM proposed to require a 

repetitive tap inspection of the aft 

fuselage outer skin for disbonding. 

Depending on the inspection results, the 

NPRM proposed to require reducing the 

compliance time interval of the tap 

inspections or repairing or replacing the 

panel to terminate the shorter 

compliance time interval. The NPRM 

also proposed to require a repetitive 

cleaning of the aft fuselage outer skin to 

visually inspect for distortion, 

wrinkling, and corrosion. Depending on 

the visual inspection results, the NPRM 

proposed to require an additional tap 

inspection of the area. The proposed 


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 180 / Monday, September 17, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 46863 

requirements were intended to detect 

disbonding of the aft fuselage outer skin, 

which could result in loss of aft fuselage 

structural integrity and subsequent loss 

of control of the helicopter. 

The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 

2017–0165, dated September 5, 2017 

(EASA AD 2017–0165), issued by 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 

the Member States of the European 

Union, to correct an unsafe condition 

for the Airbus Helicopters Model SA 

365 N1, AS 365 N2, AS 365 N3, SA 366 

G1, EC 155 B and EC 155 B1 helicopters. 

EASA advises of several reports of aft 

fuselage (baggage compartment area) 

outer skin disbonding found during a 

600-hour inspection. EASA advises that 

most of the reports of disbonding 

occurred on Model EC 155 helicopters 

and may occur in the same area on 

Model AS 365, SA 365, and SA 366 

helicopters due to design similarity. 

According to EASA, the cause of the 

disbonding has not yet been determined 

and the investigation is continuing. 

Airbus Helicopters states possible 

causes that are being considered include 

exhaust gas heat from the exhaust pipes 

and environmental conditions. EASA 

states that this condition, if not detected 

and corrected, could reduce the 

structural integrity of the aft fuselage, 

possibly affecting safe flight and 

landing. 

To address this unsafe condition, 

EASA AD 2017–0165 requires a 

repetitive tap inspection of the aft 

fuselage outer skin for disbonding, a 

repetitive visual inspection of the aft 

fuselage outer skin for distortion, 

wrinkling, and corrosion, and 

contacting Airbus Helicopters if there is 

any disbonding. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD, but 

we did not receive any comments on the 

NPRM. 

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 issuing this AD 

because we evaluated all information 

provided by EASA and determined the 

unsafe condition exists and is likely to 

exist or develop on other helicopters of 

these same type designs and that air 

safety and the public interest require 

adopting the AD requirements as 

proposed. 

Interim Action 

We consider this AD to be an interim 

action. If final action is later identified, 

we might consider further rulemaking 

then. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

If there is disbonding within the 

allowable limit, the EASA AD specifies 

reporting the inspection results to 

Airbus Helicopters, whereas this AD 

does not. If there is disbonding that 

exceeds the allowable limit, the EASA 

AD specifies contacting Airbus 

Helicopters for approved skin panel 

repair or replacement instructions, 

whereas this AD requires repairing or 

replacing the panel instead. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert 

Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS365– 

05.00.77 for Model AS365 N, N1, N2, 

and N3 and non-FAA-certificated Model 

AS365 F, Fs, Fi, K, and K2 helicopters; 

ASB No. SA366–05.48 for Model SA366 

G1 and non-FAA-certificated Model 

SA366 GA helicopters; and ASB No. 

EC155–05A033 for Model EC155 B and 

B1 helicopters, all Revision 0 and all 

dated July 21, 2017. This service 

information specifies repetitive tap and 

visual inspections between aft fuselage 

outer skin frames X4630 and X6630 and 

defines the allowable limit of 

disbonding for this area. If there is 

distortion, wrinkling, or corrosion, this 

service information specifies performing 

a tap inspection. If there is disbonding 

within the allowable limit, this service 

information specifies reporting the 

inspection results to Airbus Helicopters 

and performing the recurring tap 

inspection at a shorter compliance time 

interval. If there is disbonding that 

exceeds the allowable limit, this service 

information specifies contacting Airbus 

Helicopters for repair before further 

flight. 

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. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 46 

helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate 

that operators may incur the following 

costs in order to comply with this AD. 

Tap inspecting the aft fuselage outer 

skin takes about 3 work-hours for an 

estimated cost of $255 per helicopter 

and $11,730 for the U.S. fleet per 

inspection cycle. Visually inspecting the 

aft fuselage outer skin takes about 0.3 

work-hour for an estimated cost of $26 

per helicopter and $1,196 for the U.S. 

fleet per inspection cycle. Repairing a 

panel takes about 5 work-hours and 

parts cost about $500 for an estimated 

cost of $925. Replacing a panel takes 

about 10 work-hours and parts cost 

about $20,000 for an estimated cost of 

$20,850. 

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 

helicopters identified in this rulemaking 

action. 

Regulatory Findings 

This AD will not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This AD will 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 that this AD: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866; 

(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under 

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 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. 


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46864 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 180 / Monday, September 17, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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): 

2018–19–01 Airbus Helicopters: 

Amendment 39–19401; Docket No. 

FAA–2018–0384; Product Identifier 

2017–SW–061–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Model AS–365N2, AS 

365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA–365N1, and 

SA–366G1 helicopters, certificated in any 

category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

disbonding of the aft fuselage outer skin. This 

condition could result in loss of aft fuselage 

structural integrity and subsequent loss of 

control of the helicopter. 

(c) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective October 22, 

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 

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

tap inspect the aft fuselage outer skin for 

disbonding between frames X4630 and 

X6630 in the areas depicted in Figure 1 of 

Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin 

(ASB) No. AS365–05.00.77, ASB No. SA366– 

05.48, or ASB No. EC155–05A033, all 

Revision 0 and dated July 21, 2017 (ASB 

AS365–05.00.77, ASB SA366–05.48, or ASB 

EC155–05A033), as applicable for your 

model helicopter. Examples of acceptable 

and unacceptable disbonding areas are 

depicted in Figure 2 of ASB AS365–05.00.77, 

ASB SA366–05.48, and ASB EC155–05A033, 

as applicable for your model helicopter. 

(i) If there is no disbonding, repeat the tap 

inspection at intervals not to exceed 660 

hours TIS. 

(ii) If there is disbonding within one 

square-shaped area measuring 3.94 in. x 3.94 

in. (10 cm x 10 cm) that does not cross two 

skin panels, repeat the tap inspection at 

intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS. 

(iii) If there is disbonding that exceeds one 

square-shaped area measuring 3.94 in. x 3.94 

in. (10 cm x 10 cm) or crosses two skin 

panels, before further flight, repair or replace 

the panel. Thereafter, tap inspect the panel 

at intervals not to exceed 660 hours TIS. 

(2) Within 220 hours TIS, and thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, clean 

the aft fuselage outer skin and using a light, 

visually inspect for distortion, wrinkling, and 

corrosion between frames X4630 and X6630 

as depicted in Figure 1 of ASB AS365– 

05.00.77, ASB SA366–05.48, or ASB EC155– 

05A033, as applicable for your model 

helicopter. If there is any distortion, 

wrinkling, or corrosion, before further flight, 

tap inspect the area for disbonding by 

following the inspection instructions in 

paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. 

(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-ASWFTW-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 

The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 

No. 2017–0165, dated September 5, 2017. 

You may view the EASA AD on the internet 

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

FAA–2018–0384. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 5302, Rotorcraft tail boom. 

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 

Bulletin (ASB) No. AS365–05.00.77, Revision 

0, dated July 21, 2017. 

(ii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. SA366– 

05.48, Revision 0, dated July 21, 2017. 

(iii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. EC155– 

05A033, Revision 0, dated July 21, 2017. 

(3) For Airbus Helicopters 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. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 

Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

(202) 741–6030, or go to: http://

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 

4, 2018. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–19750 Filed 9–14–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0139; Airspace 

Docket No. 18–ACE–1] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Amendment of Class E Airspace; 

Lyons, KS 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule, correction. 

SUMMARY: This action corrects a final 

rule published in the Federal Register 

of August 1, 2018, that amends Class E 

airspace at Lyons-Rice County 

Municipal Airport, Lyons, KS. The word 

‘‘County’’ was inadvertently omitted 

from the airport name in the Summary, 

History, and Rules section of the 

document, as well as in the header of 

the legal description. 

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, 

November 8, 2018. The Director of the 

Federal Register approves this 

incorporation by reference action under 

Title 1, Code of Federal Regulations, 

part 51, subject to the annual revision of 

FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of 

conforming amendments. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Rebecca Shelby, Federal Aviation 

Administration, Operations Support 

Group, Central Service Center, 10101 

Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 

76177; telephone (817) 222–5857. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History 

The FAA published a final rule in the 

Federal Register for Docket No. FAA– 

2018–0139 (83 FR 37422, August 1, 

2018), amending Class E airspace at 

Lyons-Rice County Municipal Airport, 

Lyons, KS. Subsequent to publication, 

the FAA identified a clerical error that 

the word ‘‘County’’ was omitted from 


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