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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 87 (Thursday, May 5, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27057-27059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10285]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3941; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-052-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters

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 Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 
117A-3, MBB-BK 117A-4, MBB-BK 117B-1, MBB-BK 117B-2, and MBB-BK 117C-1 
helicopters. This proposed AD would require removing adhesive seals 
from the exterior and interior door jettisoning system on the left and 
right sliding doors. This proposed AD is prompted by reports that the 
adhesive seal prevented the doors from jettisoning properly. The 
proposed actions are intended to remove the adhesive seal to allow the 
doors to jettison properly so occupants can exit the helicopter during 
an emergency.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 5, 2016.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3941; 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,

[[Page 27058]]

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 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.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, TX 
76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
matthew.fuller@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 aviation authority for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2015-0163, dated August 6, 2015, 
to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model MBB-BK 
117A-3, MBB-BK 117A-4, MBB-BK 117B-1, MBB-BK 117B-2, and MBB-BK 117C-1 
helicopters. EASA advises that difficulties were reported regarding the 
jettisoning of doors. The malfunction was caused by the adhesive seal, 
which hampered the free movement of the inner handle. According to 
EASA, a subsequent investigation showed that the adhesive seal has 
mechanical and physical properties that do not meet relevant 
certification requirements. EASA states that this condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to a malfunction of the door's 
jettisoning mechanism, reducing or preventing the evacuation of the 
helicopter during an emergency, possibly resulting in injury to 
occupants. To address this condition, the EASA AD requires inspecting 
the exterior and interior door jettisoning system on the left and right 
sliding doors for adhesive seal part number (P/N) 117-800201.01 and 
removing any adhesive seals that are installed.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, 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 MBB-BK117-
20A-114, Revision 1, dated July 30, 2015 (ASB) for Model MBB-BK 117A-3, 
MBB-BK 117A-4, MBB-BK 117B-1, MBB-BK 117B-2, and MBB-BK 117C-1 
helicopters. The ASB reports that the proper functioning of the sliding 
door jettison system is hampered by an adhesive seal. The seal was not 
manufactured correctly, and therefore did not perform as the test seal 
did during door jettisoning tests. The ASB calls for removing any 
adhesive seals on the exterior and interior door jettison system and 
discarding any adhesive seals that have not yet been installed.
    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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 25 hours time-in-service, 
removing the adhesive seal from the interior and exterior of each door. 
This proposed AD would also prohibit installing adhesive seal P/N 117-
800201.01 on any helicopter sliding door.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires removing adhesive seal, P/N 117-800201.01, 
within 30 days. The proposed AD would require removing the adhesive 
seal within 25 hours TIS.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 69 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs would average $85 per work-hour. 
Based on these estimates, we expect that removing the adhesive seals 
would require a half work-hour for a labor cost of about $43 per 
helicopter. No parts would be needed, so the cost for the U.S. fleet 
would total $2,967.

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);

[[Page 27059]]

    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 Deutschland GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2015-3941; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-052-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus 
Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117A-3, MBB-BK 117A-4, MBB-BK 117B-1, MBB-
BK 117B-2, and MBB-BK 117C-1 helicopters with an adhesive seal part 
number (P/N) 117-800201.01 installed on an exterior or interior 
sliding door, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition the presence of sealant on 
a sliding door (door). This condition could result in the door 
failing to jettison, preventing helicopter occupants from exiting 
the helicopter during an emergency.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 5, 2016.

(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 25 hours time-in-service, remove adhesive seal P/N 
117-800201.01 from the interior and exterior of each door. The areas 
where the seal is installed are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 of 
Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117-20A-114, 
Revision 1, dated July 30, 2015.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install adhesive 
seal P/N 117-800201.01 on any helicopter sliding door.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 
222-5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-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. 2015-0163, dated August 6, 2015. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD 
Docket.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5220, Emergency 
Exits.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 19, 2016.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10285 Filed 5-4-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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