3566 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 

fittings and subsequent depressurization of 

the fuselage. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Inspection 

(1) At the latest of the times specified in 

paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of 

this AD: Do a detailed inspection of the 

pressurized floor fittings at FR 36, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320– 

57–1028, Revision 02, dated June 3, 2013. 

Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals 

not to exceed 9,300 flight cycles or 18,600 

flight hours, whichever occurs first. 

(i) Before exceeding 20,900 flight cycles or 

41,800 flight hours, whichever occurs first 

since first flight of the airplane. 

(ii) Within 9,300 flight cycles or 18,600 

flight cycles since the most recent inspection 

accomplished in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–57–1028, Revision 02, 

dated June 3, 2013. 

(iii) Within 1,250 flight cycles or 2,500 

flight hours after March 3, 2016 (the effective 

date of AD 2016–02–01), without exceeding 

12,000 flight cycles since the most recent 

inspection accomplished in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–57–1028, Revision 02, 

dated June 3, 2013. 

(2) If any crack is found during any 

inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 

this AD: Before further flight, repair using a 

method approved by the Manager, 

International Section, Transport Standards 

Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus’s EASA 

Design Organization Approval (DOA). If 

approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-authorized signature. 

(h) Modification 

Before exceeding 48,000 total flight cycles 

or 96,000 total flight hours, whichever occurs 

first since first flight of the airplane: Modify 

(replace aluminum fittings with titanium 

fittings) the pressurized floor fittings at FR 

36, in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320– 

57–1029, Revision 02, dated June 16, 1999. 

Accomplishment of this modification is 

terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections required by paragraph (g) of this 

AD for the modified airplane only. 

(i) Credit for Previous Actions 

(1) This paragraph provides credit for the 

inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 

AD, if that inspection was performed before 

the effective date of this AD using Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–57–1028, dated 

August 12, 1991; or Revision 01, dated April 

19, 1996. 

(2) This paragraph provides credit for the 

modification required by paragraph (h) of 

this AD, if that modification was performed 

before the effective date of this AD using 

Airbus Service Bulletin A320–57–1029, 

dated August 12, 1991; or Revision 01, dated 

November 10, 1992. 

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 

has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 

AD, if requested using the procedures found 

in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 

39.19, send your request to your principal 

inspector or local Flight Standards District 

Office, as appropriate. If sending information 

directly to the International Section, send it 

to the attention of the person identified in 

paragraph (k)(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: As of the 

effective date of this AD, 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 EASA; or 

Airbus’s EASA DOA. If approved by the 

DOA, the approval must include the DOAauthorized signature. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 

2016–0181, dated September 13, 2016, 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–2017–0716. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Section, Transport Standards 

Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, 

Renton, WA 98057–3356; telephone: 425– 

227–1405; fax: 425–227–1149. 

(3) Service information identified in this 

AD that is not incorporated by reference is 

available at the addresses specified in 

paragraphs (l)(4) and (l)(5) of this AD. 

(l) 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. 

(3) The following service information was 

approved for IBR on March 3, 2016 (81 FR 

4878, January 28, 2016). 

(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–57–1028, 

Revision 02, dated June 3, 2013. 

(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–57–1029, 

Revision 02, dated June 16, 1999. 

(4) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness 

Office—EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; 

telephone: +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax: +33 5 61 

93 44 51; email: account.airworth-eas@

airbus.com; internet: http://www.airbus.com. 

(5) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

(6) 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 Renton, Washington, on January 

10, 2018. 

John P. Piccola, Jr., 

Acting Director, System Oversight Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–01197 Filed 1–25–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2017–1201; Product 

Identifier 2017–SW–068–AD; Amendment 

39–19155; AD 2018–02–02] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, 

AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, 

AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, 

AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and 

EC130T2 helicopters. This AD requires 

inspecting the main rotor (M/R) mast jet 

oil lubrication hose (oil hose). This AD 

is prompted by a report of a blocked oil 

hose. The actions of this AD are 

intended to prevent an unsafe condition 

on these helicopters. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

February 12, 2018. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by March 27, 2018. 

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. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 3567 

• 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–2017– 

1201; 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, the economic evaluation, 

any comments received, and other 

information. The street address for 

Docket Operations (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 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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rao 

Edupuganti, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Regulations and Policy Section, 

Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 

76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

rao.edupuganti@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety, and 

we did not provide you with notice and 

an opportunity to provide your 

comments prior to it becoming effective. 

However, 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 resulted from 

adopting this AD. The most helpful 

comments reference a specific portion of 

the AD, 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 them 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 

rulemaking during the comment period. 

We will consider all the comments we 

receive and may conduct additional 

rulemaking based on those comments. 

Discussion 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued AD No. 2017–0089, 

dated May 17, 2017 (AD 2017–0089), to 

correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, 

AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2, 

AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, 

AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, 

EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. 

EASA advises that an oil hose part 

number (P/N) 704A34–412–015 

(manufacturing P/N 4T13) was found 

blocked during unscheduled 

maintenance. EASA states an 

investigation showed the hose had 

become completely blocked with solder 

during the manufacturing process, 

resulting in a complete absence of 

lubrication from the direct oil jet to the 

M/R mast upper bearing. According to 

EASA this condition could lead to 

degradation of the M/R mast bearings, 

loss of transmission function, and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. To correct this condition, 

EASA AD 2017–0089 requires a onetime inspection of the oil hose to 

determine if there is any blockage, 

replacing the oil hose and the M/R mast 

if the oil hose is blocked, and marking 

unobstructed hoses with an ‘‘x’’ after the 

P/N. 

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. 

Related Service Information 

Airbus Helicopters has co-published 

as one document Emergency Alert 

Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 62.00.20 for 

non-FAA type-certificated AS550-series 

helicopters, EASB No. 62.00.23 for nonFAA type-certificated AS555-series 

helicopters, EASB No. 62.00.36 for 

AS355-series helicopters, EASB No. 

62.00.39 for AS350-series helicopters, 

and EASB No. 62A015 for EC130 series 

helicopters, all Revision 1 and dated 

May 19, 2017. This service information 

specifies procedures for inspecting the 

oil hose for the presence of oil, 

inspecting the oil hose for blockage, and 

marking the hose if there is no blockage. 

AD Requirements 

This AD requires, within 30 hours 

time-in-service (TIS): 

• Removing the upper end of the oil 

hose and inspecting the inside of the 

hose to determine if there is any oil 

present. If there is no oil present, before 

further flight, replacing the M/R mast 

and the oil hose; 

• If there is oil present, within 30 

hours TIS of inspecting for the presence 

of oil, removing the hose and 

determining if there is blockage in the 

hose, first using an air gun and then 

using cable ties or a piece of wire. If 

there is blockage in the hose, before 

further flight, replacing the M/R mast 

and the oil hose; and 

• If there is oil present and there is 

no blockage, before further flight, 

permanently marking the hose with an 

‘‘X’’ following the P/N. 

This AD also prohibits installing an 

oil hose, P/N 704A34–412–015, on any 

helicopter unless it has been inspected 

as required by this AD. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

The EASA AD applies to Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS350BB 

helicopters, this AD does not as that 

model is not type certificated in the U.S. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 1,246 

helicopters of U.S. Registry. 

We estimate that operators may incur 

the following costs in order to comply 

with this AD. At an average labor rate 

of $85 per work-hour, inspecting the oil 

hose for oil and obstruction and 

marking the hose will require about one 

hour, for a cost per helicopter of $85 

and a cost of $105,910 for the U.S. fleet. 

If required, replacing the M/R mast 

and oil hose will require 16 hours and 

required parts will cost $29,940 for a 

cost per helicopter of $31,300. 

FAA’s Justification and Determination 

of the Effective Date 

An unsafe condition exists that 

requires the immediate adoption of this 

AD without providing an opportunity 

for public comments prior to adoption. 

The FAA has found that the risk to the 

flying public justifies waiving notice 

and comment prior to the adoption of 

this rule because some of the required 

corrective actions must be accomplished 

within 30 hours TIS, a potentially short 


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3568 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 

period of time for helicopters primarily 

used for air ambulance operations. 

Therefore, we find good cause that 

notice and opportunity for prior public 

comment are impracticable. In addition, 

for the reason stated above, we find that 

good cause exists for making this 

amendment effective in less than 30 

days. 

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 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, 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 

■ 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): 

2018–02–02 Airbus Helicopters: 

Amendment 39–19155; Docket No. 

FAA–2017–1201; Product Identifier 

2017–SW–068–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, 

AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, 

AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, 

AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2 

helicopters, certificated in any category, with 

a main rotor (M/R) mast jet oil lubrication 

hose (oil hose) part number (P/N) 704A34– 

412–015 (manufacturing P/N 4T13), except 

those marked with an X following the P/N, 

installed. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as a 

blocked oil hose. This condition could result 

in failure of the direct oil jet to lubricate the 

M/R mast upper bearing, degradation of the 

M/R mast bearings, loss of M/R transmission 

function, and subsequent loss of control of 

the helicopter. 

(c) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective February 12, 

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 30 hours time-in-service (TIS), 

disconnect the upper end of the oil hose and 

inspect the inside of the hose for oil. 

(i) If there is no oil inside the hose, before 

further flight, replace the M/R mast and oil 

hose. 

(ii) If there is oil inside the hose, within 30 

hours TIS, remove the oil hose and blow air 

through the oil hose using an air gun. 

(A) If no air flows through the oil hose, 

before further flight, replace the M/R mast 

and oil hose. 

(B) If air does flow through the oil hose, 

inspect the oil hose for any blockage by 

inserting two cable ties or a semi-rigid piece 

of wire with a diameter of 2 to 2.3 

millimeters (mm) a minimum of 100 mm into 

each end of the oil hose. 

(1) If there is any blockage, before further 

flight, replace the M/R mast and oil hose. 

(2) If there is no blockage, re-identify the 

oil hose by vibro-etching the letter ‘‘X’’ after 

the P/N. 

(2) Do not install an oil hose P/N 704A34– 

412–015 on any helicopter unless it has been 

inspected as required by 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Regulations and Policy 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 

(1) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert 

Service Bulletin No. 62.00.20, No. 62.00.23, 

No. 62.00.36, No. 62.00.39, and No. 62A015, 

all Revision 1 and dated May 19, 2017, which 

are co-published as one document and not 

incorporated by reference, contain additional 

information about the subject of this AD. For 

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. You may review 

a copy of the service information at the FAA, 

Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 

Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N– 

321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 

No. 2017–0089, dated May 17, 2017. You 

may view the EASA AD on the internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating it in Docket No. FAA–2017– 

1201. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6230 Main Gearbox Mast. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 8, 

2018. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–01196 Filed 1–25–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


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