Document ID: FAA-2020-0618-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Helicopters
Posted Date: 2020-06-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 23, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37591-37593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13438]

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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 121 / Tuesday, June 23, 2020 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 37591]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0618; Product Identifier 2019-SW-064-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, and 
SA-365N1 helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the 
tail rotor gearbox (TGB) housing recess, and depending on the 
inspection results, performing more in-depth inspections and removing 
certain parts from service. The proposed AD would also prohibit 
installing a TGB unless it has passed certain inspections and has a new 
TGB control rod bearing installed. This proposed AD was prompted by the 
discovery of a foreign object obstructing the oil duct of a TGB control 
bearing. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 7, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0618; 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 proposed AD, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
Docket Operations is listed above. 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 https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may 
view 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

    The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. The FAA also invites 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.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments that the FAA receives, 
as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on 
this proposal, the FAA will consider all comments received on or before 
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed 
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light 
of the comments received.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2019-0165-E, dated July 12, 
2019, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters (formerly 
Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale, Sud Aviation) Model AS 365 
N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155 B, EC 155 B1, and SA 365 N1 helicopters. EASA 
advises of a foreign object that was found obstructing the oil duct of 
the TGB control bearing during a routine inspection, causing a lack of 
lubrication on the bearing. EASA states this condition, if not detected 
and corrected, could affect the correct operation of the TGB and 
possibly result in reduced control of the helicopter.
    Accordingly, the EASA AD requires a one-time inspection of the TGB 
housing recess for oil retention and depending on the outcome of the 
inspection, removing any foreign object from the TGB oil duct housing 
and re-inspecting the TGB housing recess for oil retention. If there is 
still oil retention, the EASA AD requires marking and returning the TGB 
to Airbus Helicopters and installing a TGB that has passed the 
inspection procedures specified in the related Airbus Helicopter 
service information. If there is no oil retention, the EASA AD requires 
removing any foreign object from the TGB oil duct cover and inspecting 
the TGB oil duct cover for correct oil flow. If the oil does not flow 
correctly, the EASA AD requires marking and returning the TGB to Airbus 
Helicopters and installing a TGB that has passed the inspection 
procedures specified in the related Airbus Helicopters service 
information. If the oil flows correctly and a foreign object was 
previously removed, the EASA AD requires replacing the TGB control rod 
bearing with a new bearing. The EASA AD also prohibits installation of 
a TGB unless it has passed the

[[Page 37592]]

inspections specified in the related Airbus Helicopters service 
information.

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 of the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD 
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that an 
unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other products of the 
same type designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed one document that co-publishes four Airbus 
Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) identification 
numbers: No. 65.00.09 for non FAA-type certificated military Model 
AS565MA, MB, MBe, SA, SB, and UB helicopters; No. 65.00.19 for Model 
AS365N1, N2, and N3 helicopters, and non FAA-type certificated military 
Model AS365F, Fi, K, and K2 helicopters; No. 65.06 for non FAA-type 
certificated military Model SA366GA helicopters; and No. 65A008 for 
Model EC115B and B1 helicopters, all Revision 0 and dated July 10, 
2019. EASB Nos. 65.00.19 and 65A008 are proposed for incorporation by 
reference in this proposed AD. EASB Nos. 65.00.09 and 65.06 are not 
proposed for incorporation by reference in this proposed AD.
    This service information specifies procedures, using an endoscope 
(borescope), to inspect the TGB housing recess for oil retention and 
the two T holes for visibility. If there is oil retention and the two T 
holes are not visible, this service information specifies removing the 
TGB control rod and inspecting for and removing any foreign objects in 
the TGB oil duct, and then repeating the TGB housing recess 
inspections. If there is oil retention and the two T holes are not 
visible after these additional inspections, the service information 
specifies marking the TGB as not fit for helicopter installation and 
returning the TGB to Airbus Helicopters. If there is no oil retention 
and the two T holes are visible after these additional inspections, the 
service information specifies removing any foreign objects in the TGB 
oil duct and inspecting for proper oil flow at the end of the BTP oil 
duct cover. If the oil does not flow properly, this service information 
specifies marking the TGB as not fit for helicopter installation and 
returning the TGB to Airbus Helicopters. If the oil flows properly, the 
service information specifies replacing the TGB control rod bearing 
with a new bearing.
    This service information also specifies procedures to close the 
filter plug cover with an airworthy O-ring, install the filter plug, 
replace a TGB, and perform a ground run-up. Additionally, this service 
information specifies procedures to perform the inspections on a non-
installed TGB.
    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 compliance with portions of the 
manufacturer's service information. This proposed AD would require 
opening the TGB oil filter plug cover and removing the TGB oil filter 
plug. This proposed AD would then require, using a borescope, 
inspecting for oil retention and visibility of the two T holes in the 
TGB housing recess. If there is any oil retention and the two T holes 
are not completely visible, this proposed AD would require removing the 
TGB control rod and inspecting for and removing any foreign object in 
the TGB oil duct. This proposed AD would then require re-inspecting the 
TGB housing recess with all of the oil drained. If, during the re-
inspection, there is any oil retention and the two T holes are not 
completely visible, this proposed AD would require replacing the TGB. 
If, during the re-inspection, there is no oil retention and the two T 
holes are completely visible, this proposed AD would require inspecting 
for and removing any foreign object from the TGB oil duct and 
inspecting the TGB oil duct for correct oil flow. If the oil does not 
flow correctly, this proposed AD would require replacing the TGB. If 
the oil flows correctly, this proposed AD would require removing the 
TGB control rod bearing from service.
    This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of a TGB 
unless it passes the inspections required by this AD. A non-installed 
TGB would be inspected in a level position using shims.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    If required to remove a TGB, the EASA AD requires marking and 
returning the TGB to Airbus Helicopters, whereas this proposed AD would 
not require marking or returning the TGB to Airbus Helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 20 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this proposed AD. Labor costs are 
estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Inspecting the TGB housing recess would take about 2 work-hours for 
an estimated cost of $170 per helicopter and $3,400 for the U.S. fleet.
    Inspecting for and removing any foreign objects would take a 
minimal amount of time and have a nominal cost.
    Removing any oil retention and re-inspecting the TGB would take 
about 5 work-hours for an estimated cost of $425 per helicopter.
    Inspecting for correct oil flow would take about 1 work-hour for an 
estimated cost of $85 per helicopter.
    Replacing the TGB control rod bearing would take about 8 work-hours 
and parts would cost about $2,000 for an estimated replacement cost of 
$2,680 per bearing.
    Replacing a TGB would take about 40 work-hours and parts would cost 
about $48,600 (overhauled) for an estimated replacement cost of $52,000 
per TGB.

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.

[[Page 37593]]

    For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866,
    2. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    3. 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.

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-2020-0618; Product Identifier 
2019-SW-064-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, 
EC 155B, EC155B1, and SA-365N1 helicopters, certificated in any 
category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as obstruction of the oil 
duct of the tail rotor gearbox (TGB) control bearing. This condition 
could result in a lack of lubrication on the TGB control bearing, 
which could affect the correct operation of the TGB, and subsequent 
reduced control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by August 7, 2020.

(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 55 hours time-in-service or 5 months, whichever 
occurs first:
    (i) Open the TGB oil filter plug cover (cover) identified as 
``b'' in Detail ``A'' and Detail ``B'' in Figure 1 of Airbus 
Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 65.00.19 or 
Airbus Helicopters EASB No. 65A008, both Revision 0 and dated July 
10, 2019 (EASB 65.00.19 or EASB 65A008), as applicable to your model 
helicopter, by removing any lockwire, opening the cover (b), and 
removing the strainer (e) using a screwdriver. Remove the TGB oil 
filter plug (plug) identified as ``h'' in Detail ``B'' in Figure 1 
of EASB 65.00.19 or EASB 65A008, as applicable to your model 
helicopter, by removing the sealing compound at the base of the plug 
(h), marking the base of the plug (h) and the TGB housing (c), and 
removing and cleaning the plug (h) and the exterior surface of the 
TGB housing (c) surrounding the plug (h) installation area.
    (ii) Using an adjustable or fixed head borescope with a 6 mm or 
larger diameter camera probe, inspect for operating oil (oil) 
retention and visibility of the two T holes in the TGB oil housing 
recess (housing recess) (towards the rear of the helicopter) 
identified as ``g'' in Section C-C in Figure 2 of EASB 65.00.19 or 
EASB 65A008, as applicable to your model helicopter.
    (A) If there is any oil retention in the housing recess (g) and 
the two T holes are not completely visible as shown in photo 1, in 
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2.b., of EASB 
65.00.19 or EASB 65A008, as applicable to your model helicopter, 
before further flight, remove the TGB control rod and inspect for 
and remove any foreign objects in the TGB oil duct (oil duct) 
identified as ``k'' in Detail ``D'' of Figure 2 of EASB 65.00.19 or 
EASB 65A008, as applicable to your model helicopter.
    (B) With all of the oil drained from the housing recess (g), 
inspect for oil retention and visibility of the two T holes in the 
housing recess (g) as required by paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (1) If there is any oil retention in the housing recess (g) and 
the two T holes are not completely visible, before further flight, 
replace the TGB.
    (2) If there is no oil retention in the housing recess (g) and 
the two T holes are completely visible, before further flight:
    (i) Inspect for any foreign objects in the oil duct identified 
as ``k'' in Section EE of Figure 3 of EASB 65.00.19 or EASB 65A008, 
as applicable to your model helicopter. If there is any foreign 
object, before further flight, remove each foreign object.
    (ii) Inspect for oil flow at the end of the oil duct (k) BTP (q) 
cover by following the procedures in the second step through the 
sixth step, inclusive, of the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
3.B.3.b., of EASB 65.00.19 or EASB 65A008, as applicable to your 
model helicopter.
    (iii) If the oil does not flow at the end of the oil duct (k) 
BTP (q) cover, before further flight, replace the TGB.
    (iv) If the oil flows at the end of the of the oil duct (k) BTP 
(q) cover, before further flight, remove from service the TGB 
control rod bearing.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a TGB on 
any helicopter unless, with the non-installed TGB in a level 
position using shims, the requirements of paragraph (e)(1) of this 
AD have been accomplished. Unless already done, installation of a 
new TGB control rod bearing is also required. Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B.6., of EASB 65.00.19 and EASB 65A008, as 
applicable to your model helicopter, contain information pertaining 
to inspecting a non-installed TGB. A TGB with a log card entry 
showing it has passed the requirements in the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B.6., of EASB 65.00.19 and EASB 65A008, as 
applicable to your model helicopter, is acceptable for compliance 
with this paragraph.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, 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-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, the FAA suggests 
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 Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2019-0165-E, dated July 12, 2019. You 
may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
in the AD Docket.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 62, Tail Rotor 
Gearbox.

    Issued on June 17, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-13438 Filed 6-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P