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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16325-16327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06805]

[[Page 16325]]

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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]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Previously 
Eurocopter France)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt 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 proposed AD would 
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. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that 
reconditioning the rotating swashplate per a certain repair procedure 
could result in the rotating star cracking. The proposed actions 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 26, 2015.

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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0673.

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

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, issued EASA AD No. 2014-0132R1, dated June 2, 2014, to 
correct 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, part number (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.

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 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

[[Page 16326]]

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 NPRM.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 165 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), visually inspecting the swashplate assembly to determine whether 
a ferrule is installed with the rotating star. If no ferrule exists, no 
further action would be needed. If a ferrule is installed, the proposed 
AD would require, before further flight, dye-penetrant inspecting the 
rotating star for a crack. The proposed AD would also require removing 
the rotating star and all attachment hardware before further flight if 
the rotating star has a crack, or within 160 hours TIS if the rotating 
star has a ferrule installed but does not have a crack.
    This proposed AD would also prohibit installing a rotating star 
with a ferrule.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

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

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 1,132 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs would average $85 a work hour. Based 
on these estimates, we would expect the following costs:
     Visually inspecting the swashplate assembly would require 
0.25 work-hour for a labor cost of about $21 per inspection. No parts 
would be 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 would require 1 
work-hour for a labor cost of about $85 per helicopter. No parts would 
be 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 
would require 16 work hours and parts would 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 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

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):

Airbus Helicopters: 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) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 26, 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.

(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.

[[Page 16327]]

    (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 Permit

    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, 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.

(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 
the AD Docket.

(i) Subject

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

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 18, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-06805 Filed 3-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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