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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51454-51456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20587]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0673; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-034-AD; 
Amendment 39-18244; AD 2015-17-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, 
AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, 
EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the 
swashplate assembly rotating star to determine whether a ferrule was 
installed. If a ferrule exists, this AD requires inspecting the 
rotating star for a crack and removing any cracked rotating star. This 
AD was prompted by a report that reconditioning the rotating swashplate 
per a certain repair procedure could result in the rotating star 
cracking. The actions of this AD are intended to detect a crack in the 
rotating star and prevent failure of the rotating star and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective September 29, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of September 29, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: 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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, Texas 
76177.

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 AD, the European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD, any incorporated-by-reference service information, 
the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, 
M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email: 
robert.grant@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On March 27, 2015, at 80 FR 16325, 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 AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, 
AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, 
and EC130T2 helicopters with a swashplate assembly with rotating star, 
part number (P/N) 350A371003-04, 350A371003-05, 350A371003-06, 
350A371003-07, or 350A371003-08. The NPRM proposed to require 
inspecting the swashplate assembly rotating star to determine whether a 
ferrule was installed. If a ferrule exists, this proposed AD would 
require inspecting the rotating star for a crack and removing any 
cracked rotating star. The proposed requirements were intended to 
detect a crack in the rotating star and prevent failure of the rotating 
star and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2014-0132R1, dated June 2, 2014, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union. EASA AD No. 2014-0132R1 corrects an unsafe 
condition for Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model 
AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, D, AS 355 E, F, F1, F2, N, NP, EC 130 B4, 
and T2 helicopters if equipped with a swashplate assembly with a 
rotating star, P/N 350A371003-04, P/N 350A371003-05, P/N 350A371003-06, 
P/N 350A371003-07, or P/N 350A371003-08. EASA advises that during a 
repair of a helicopter, it was discovered that rotating swashplates 
reconditioned in accordance with a certain repair procedure could 
experience a high stress level. This condition, if not corrected, could 
affect the service life of the part. To address this unsafe condition, 
EASA AD No. 2014-0132R1 requires repetitive inspections and replacement 
of the rotating star.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 16325, March 
27, 2015).

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

[[Page 51455]]

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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires reporting inspection findings to Airbus 
Helicopters. This AD makes no such requirement. The EASA AD does not 
apply to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350C and AS350D1 helicopters, 
whereas this AD applies to those models. The EASA AD applies to Model 
AS350BB helicopters, and this AD does not because that model is not 
type certificated in the United States. The EASA AD requires replacing 
the rotating star, unless already accomplished, by December 31, 2014, 
while we require replacing the rotating star within 160 hours time-in-
service, unless already accomplished.
    This AD also prohibits installing a rotating star with a ferrule, 
and the EASA AD does not.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
EC130 62A010 for Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters; ASB No. AS355 
62.00.33 for Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and 
AS355NP helicopters; and ASB No. AS350 62.00.34 for Model AS350B, 
AS350BA, AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, and military 
version AS350L1 helicopters; all Revision 0 and all dated April 28, 
2014.
    The ASBs report that a certain repair sheet instruction, which 
requires reconditioning the rotating swashplate by machining and adding 
a steel ferrule to accommodate a swashplate bearing, potentially 
affects the service life limit specified in the airworthiness 
limitations section. The ASBs provide procedures for inspecting the 
swashplate assembly's rotating star for a ferrule and if a ferrule 
exists, inspecting for a crack. The ASBs call for replacing the 
rotating star before further flight if a crack exists, and before 
December 31, 2014, if a ferrule is present and there are no cracks. If 
there is no ferrule, the ASBs require no additional action.
    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 of this 
AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1,132 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 a work hour. Based on these estimates, 
we expect the following costs:
     Visually inspecting the swashplate assembly requires 0.25 
work-hour for a labor cost of about $21 per inspection. No parts are 
needed for a total cost of about $21 per inspection per helicopter, or 
about $23,772 for the U.S. fleet.
     Dye-penetrant inspecting the rotating star requires 1 
work-hour for a labor cost of about $85 per helicopter. No parts are 
needed for a total cost of $85 per inspection helicopter and $96,220 
for the U.S. fleet.
     Replacing the rotating star, ferrule, and associated parts 
requires 16 work hours, and parts cost $8,354, for a total cost of 
$9,714 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 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.

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2015-17-11 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-18244; Docket No. FAA-
2015-0673; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-034-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, 
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3,AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, 
AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters 
with a swashplate assembly with rotating star, part number (P/N) 
350A371003-04, 350A371003-05, 350A371003-06, 350A371003-07, or 
350A371003-08, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a rotating 
star in a main rotor blade (M/R) swashplate assembly. This condition 
could result in loss of the M/R pitch control and subsequent loss of 
helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 29, 2015.

(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.

[[Page 51456]]

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Within 165 hours time-in-service (TIS), visually inspect the 
swashplate assembly to determine whether a ferrule is installed on 
the rotating star. If the ferrule is not visible, use a magnetic 
retriever positioned in Area (X) as shown in the pictures under 
paragraph 3.B.2.b., Accomplishment Instructions, of Airbus 
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. EC130 62A010, ASB No. 
AS350 62.00.34, or ASB No. AS355 62.00.33, all Revision 0, and all 
dated April 28, 2014, whichever is applicable to your helicopter, to 
determine whether the ferrule is installed. The magnetic retriever 
will be magnetized if a ferrule is installed.
    (2) If a ferrule is not installed, no further action is needed.
    (3) If a ferrule is installed on the rotating star, before 
further flight, dye-penetrant inspect the rotating star for a crack 
in areas ``Z'' depicted in Figure 1 of Airbus Helicopters ASB No. 
EC130 62A010, ASB No. AS350 62.00.34, or ASB No. AS355 62.00.33, all 
Revision 0, and all dated April 28, 2014, as applicable to your 
model helicopter.
    (i) If the rotating star has a crack, before further flight, 
remove from service the rotating star; ferrule; and the screws, 
washers and nuts used to attach the pitch change rods, compass, and 
the rotating star deflector.
    (ii) If the rotating star does not have a crack, within 160 
hours TIS, remove from service the rotating star; ferrule; and the 
screws, washers and nuts used to attach the pitch change rods, 
compass, and the rotating star deflector.
    (4) Do not install a rotating star P/N 350A371003-04, 
350A371003-05, 350A371003-06, 350A371003-07, or 350A371003-08 with a 
ferrule.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) 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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email asw-ftw-amoc@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.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2014-0132R1, dated June 2, 2014. You may 
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2015-0673.

 (i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200, Main Rotor 
System.

(j) 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. EC130 
62A010, Revision 0, dated April 28, 2014.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS350 62.00.34, Revision 0, 
dated April 28, 2014.
    (iii) Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS355 62.00.33, Revision 0, 
dated April 28, 2014.
    (3) For Airbus Helicopters 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, Texas 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/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 13, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20587 Filed 8-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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