This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

27954 

Vol. 87, No. 90 

Tuesday, May 10, 2022 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0510; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2022–00158–R] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland 

GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, 

EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, 

EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and 

EC135T3 helicopters. This proposed AD 

was prompted by reports of the air 

conditioning system (ACS) 

malfunctioning. This proposed AD 

would require deactivating the ACS and 

prohibit installing the affected parts, as 

specified in a European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is 

proposed for incorporation by reference 

(IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by June 24, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For EASA material that is proposed 

for IBR in this NPRM, contact EASA, 

Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 

8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may 

find the EASA material on the EASA 

website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

For Airbus Helicopters service 

information identified in this NPRM, 

contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North 

Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 

telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232– 

0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or at https:// 

www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/ 

technical-support.html. You may view 

this material at the 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. The EASA 

material is also available at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2022– 

0510. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0510; 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 

NPRM, the EASA AD, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations is 

listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Stephanie Sunderbruch, Aerospace 

Engineer, Safety Risk Management 

Section, Systems Policy Branch, Policy 

& Innovation Division, FAA, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 

telephone (817) 222–4659; email 

Stephanie.L.Sunderbruch@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites you to send any 

written relevant data, views, or 

arguments about this proposal. Send 

your comments to an address listed 

under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0510; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2022–00158–R’’ at the beginning 

of your comments. The most helpful 

comments reference a specific portion of 

the proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. The FAA will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this proposal 

because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this NPRM. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt 

from public disclosure. If your 

comments responsive to this NPRM 

contain commercial or financial 

information that is customarily treated 

as private, that you actually treat as 

private, and that is relevant or 

responsive to this NPRM, it is important 

that you clearly designate the submitted 

comments as CBI. Please mark each 

page of your submission containing CBI 

as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such 

marked submissions as confidential 

under the FOIA, and they will not be 

placed in the public docket of this 

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Stephanie 

Sunderbruch, Aerospace Engineer, 

Safety Risk Management Section, 

Systems Policy Branch, Policy & 

Innovation Division, FAA, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 

telephone (817) 222–4659; email 

Stephanie.L.Sunderbruch@faa.gov. Any 

commentary that the FAA receives that 

is not specifically designated as CBI will 

be placed in the public docket for this 

rulemaking. 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2022–0023, 

dated February 3, 2022 (EASA AD 

2022–0023), to correct an unsafe 

condition for Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH (AHD) (formerly 

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH, 

Eurocopter Espan ̃ a S.A.) Model 

EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, 

EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 10, 2022 / Proposed Rules 27955 

EC135T2+, EC135T3, EC635T2+, 

EC635P2+, EC635P3, EC635T1, and 

EC635T3 helicopters, all variants, serial 

numbers (S/N) from 0008 to 0869 

inclusive, except S/N 0831 and S/N 

0864. 

This proposed AD was prompted by 

reports of the ACS malfunctioning; 

investigation into the malfunction has 

identified that certain ACS soft start 

units are the root cause. The FAA is 

proposing this AD to address 

malfunctioning ACSs. The unsafe 

condition, if not addressed, could result 

in an overvoltage of the ACS, resulting 

in overheating of the surrounding area, 

failure of the helicopter electrical 

system connected to the ACS, and a 

subsequent loss of electrical power 

which could result in increased pilot 

workload and reduced helicopter 

control. See EASA AD 2022–0023 for 

additional background information. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2022–0023 requires 

deactivating the ACS soft start unit part 

number (P/N) ES59185–2 on helicopters 

with a compressor/condenser pallet P/N 

135–0553–1 or P/N 135–0566–2 

installed. EASA AD 2022–0023 also 

prohibits installing soft start unit P/N 

ES59185–2 or a compressor/condenser 

pallet P/N 135–0553–1 or P/N 135– 

0566–2 on any helicopter. 

This material 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. 

Other Related Service Information 

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters 

Alert Service Bulletin ASB EC135–21A– 

024, Revision 0, dated February 2, 2022. 

This service information specifies 

procedures for deactivating the soft part 

unit of the compressor/condenser pallet 

and specifies that compressor/ 

condenser pallet P/N 135–0553–1 or 

135–0566–2 with soft start unit P/N 

ES59185–2 installed must not be 

installed on any helicopter. 

FAA’s Determination 

These helicopters have been approved 

by EASA and are approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to the 

FAA’s bilateral agreement with the 

European Union, EASA has notified the 

FAA about the unsafe condition 

described in its AD. The FAA is 

proposing this AD after evaluating all 

known relevant information and 

determining that the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop on other helicopters of the same 

type designs. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

EASA AD 2022–0023, described 

previously, as incorporated by 

reference, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this proposed AD and 

except as discussed under ‘‘Differences 

Between this Proposed AD and the 

EASA AD.’’ 

Explanation of Required Compliance 

Information 

In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to 

improve the efficiency of the AD 

process, the FAA developed a process to 

use some civil aviation authority (CAA) 

ADs as the primary source of 

information for compliance with 

requirements for corresponding FAA 

ADs. The FAA has been coordinating 

this process with manufacturers and 

CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to 

incorporate EASA AD 2022–0023 by 

reference in the FAA final rule. This 

proposed AD would, therefore, require 

compliance with EASA AD 2022–0023 

in its entirety through that 

incorporation, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this proposed AD. 

Using common terms that are the same 

as the heading of a particular section in 

EASA AD 2022–0023 does not mean 

that operators need comply only with 

that section. For example, where the AD 

requirement refers to ‘‘all required 

actions and compliance times,’’ 

compliance with this AD requirement is 

not limited to the section titled 

‘‘Required Action(s) and Compliance 

Time(s)’’ in EASA AD 2022–0023. 

Service information referenced in EASA 

AD 2022–0023 for compliance will be 

available at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0510 after the FAA final 

rule is published. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the EASA AD 

EASA 2022–0023 applies to Model 

EC635P2+, EC635P3, EC635T1, 

EC635T2+, and EC635T3 helicopters, 

whereas this proposed AD would not 

because these models are not FAA typecertificated and are not included on the 

U.S. type certificate data sheet except 

where the U.S. type certificate data 

sheet explains that the Model EC635T2+ 

helicopter having serial number 0858 

was converted from Model EC635T2+ to 

Model EC135T2+. 

Interim Action 

The FAA considers this proposed AD 

would be an interim action. The design 

approval holder is currently developing 

a modification that will address the 

unsafe condition identified in this AD. 

Once this modification is developed, 

approved, and available, the FAA might 

consider additional rulemaking. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 341 

helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates 

are estimated at $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these numbers, the FAA 

estimates the following costs to comply 

with this proposed AD. 

Deactivating the ACS would take 

about 1 work-hour, for an estimated cost 

of $85 per helicopter and up to $28,985 

for the U.S. fleet. 

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. 

The FAA is 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 

The FAA 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 above, I 

certify this proposed regulation: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Would not affect intrastate 

aviation in Alaska, and 

(3) Would not have a significant 

economic impact, positive or negative, 

on a substantial number of small entities 

under the criteria of the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act. 


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27956 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 10, 2022 / Proposed Rules 

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 

■ 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: 

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 

(AHD): Docket No. FAA–2022–0510; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2022–00158–R. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by June 24, 

2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, 

EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, 

EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 

helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) from 0008 

to 0869 inclusive, except S/N 0831 and S/N 

0864, certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code 2100, Air Conditioning System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of the air 

conditioning system (ACS) malfunctioning. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 

possible overheating of the ACS. The unsafe 

condition, if not addressed, could result in an 

overvoltage of the ACS, resulting in 

overheating of the surrounding area, failure 

of the helicopter electrical system connected 

to the ACS, and a subsequent loss of 

electrical power which could result in 

increased pilot workload and reduced 

helicopter control. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Requirements 

Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and 

(i) of this AD: Comply with all required 

actions and compliance times specified in, 

and in accordance with, European Union 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022– 

0023, dated February 3, 2022 (EASA AD 

2022–0023). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022–0023 

(1) Where EASA AD 2022–0023 requires 

compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD 

requires using hours time-in-service. 

(2) Where EASA AD 2022–0023 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(3) This AD does not mandate compliance 

with the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2022–0023. 

(i) No Reporting Requirement 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2022–0023 specifies 

to submit certain information to the 

manufacturer, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, International Validation 

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 manager of the International Validation 

Branch, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(2) 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. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) For EASA AD 2022–0023, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 

000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the 

EASA material on the EASA website at 

https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this 

material at the 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. 

This material may be found in the AD docket 

at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 

for and locating Docket No. FAA–2022–0510. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Stephanie Sunderbruch, Aerospace 

Engineer, Safety Risk Management Section, 

Systems Policy Branch, Policy & Innovation 

Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 

Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–4659; 

email Stephanie.L.Sunderbruch@faa.gov. 

Issued on April 30, 2022. 

Gaetano A. Sciortino, 

Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–09683 Filed 5–9–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0475; Airspace 

Docket No. 21–AEA–16] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Proposed Establishment of Area 

Navigation (RNAV) Routes; Northeast 

United States 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

establish six low altitude United States 

Area Navigation (RNAV) routes (Troutes) in support of the VHF 

Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum 

Operational Network (MON) Program. 

The purpose is to enhance the efficiency 

of the National Airspace System (NAS) 

by transitioning from a ground-based to 

a satellite-based navigation system. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before June 24, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

Washington, DC 20590; telephone: (800) 

647–5527, or (202) 366–9826. You must 

identify FAA Docket No. FAA–2022– 

0475; Airspace Docket No. 21–AEA–16 

at the beginning of your comments. You 

may also submit comments through the 

internet at https://www.regulations.gov. 

FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, and 

subsequent amendments can be viewed 

online at https://www.faa.gov/air_

traffic/publications/. For further 

information, you can contact the Rules 

and Regulations Group, Federal 

Aviation Administration, 800 

Independence Avenue SW, Washington, 

DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul 

Gallant, Rules and Regulations Group, 

Office of Policy, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 800 Independence 

Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 

telephone: (202) 267–8783. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

The FAA’s authority to issue rules 

regarding aviation safety is found in 

Title 49 of the United States Code. 

Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 

authority of the FAA Administrator. 

Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 

describes in more detail the scope of the 


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