Document ID: FAA-2020-0904-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Helicopters
Posted Date: 2021-05-10T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 88 (Monday, May 10, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24783-24786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09760]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0904; Product Identifier 2019-SW-041-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. 
This action revises the NPRM by revising the required actions paragraph 
such that the required actions apply to all helicopter models specified 
in the applicability. The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive 
(AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these 
actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the 
agency is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

[[Page 24784]]

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this SNPRM by June 24, 2021.

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 between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this SNPRM, 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 this service information 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0904; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, this SNPRM, 
the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Strategic Policy Emerging Aircraft Section, Policy and Innovation 
Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 
(817) 222-5110; email james.blyn@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-2020-0904; Product Identifier 
2019-SW-041-AD'' 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 again 
revise 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 proposed AD.

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 SNPRM 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 SNPRM, 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 SNPRM. Submissions containing CBI should 
be sent to James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, Strategic Policy 
Emerging Aircraft Section, Policy and Innovation Division, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
james.blyn@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that 
would apply to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters, with left-
hand side (LH) engine fuel supply (fuel supply) hose part number (P/N) 
704A34416087 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
October 7, 2020, (85 FR 63235). For helicopters delivered to the first 
operator before November 30, 2018, and for helicopters delivered to the 
first operator on or after November 30, 2018, that have had the LH fuel 
supply hose replaced or reinstalled before May 10, 2019, the NPRM 
proposed to require visually inspecting the LH fuel supply hose for 
twisting, and if needed, borescope inspecting the entire length of the 
inside of the fuel supply hose for twisting. Depending on the 
inspection results, the NPRM proposed to require reinstalling or 
removing the fuel supply hose from service. Additionally, the NPRM 
proposed to prohibit installing a certain part-numbered LH fuel supply 
hose on any helicopter unless that LH fuel supply hose is installed by 
following certain procedures specified in the manufacturer's service 
bulletin. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent a decrease 
of the LH engine power when accelerating to a power setting 
corresponding to One Engine Inoperative (OEI) power and subsequent 
reduced control of the helicopter. The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 
2019-0092, dated April 26, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0092), issued by EASA, 
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European 
Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters (formerly 
Eurocopter) Model EC 225 LP helicopters, all serial numbers. EASA 
advises that an occurrence was reported where during an in-flight 
single engine power check, the LH side engine experienced a power loss. 
EASA states that a subsequent investigation determined that the fuel 
flow to the affected engine was restricted by a twisted fuel supply 
hose. EASA states that this condition, if not detected and corrected, 
could lead to a decrease of the LH engine power when accelerating to 
the power setting corresponding to OEI power, and subsequent reduced 
control of the helicopter. Accordingly, the EASA AD requires a one-time 
visual inspection of the fuel supply hose and depending on the 
inspection results, removing from service or replacing the affected 
part. EASA also introduces re-installation requirements for a fuel 
supply hose that is being replaced or reinstalled.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since the NPRM was issued, the FAA determined that operators may 
not have the information required to comply with the required actions 
proposed in the NPRM. Operators may not know the date the helicopter 
was delivered to the first operator. Additionally, operators may not 
know whether the LH fuel supply hose has been previously removed or 
reinstalled since the maintenance regulations do not require certain 
operators to maintain these records after one year. Accordingly, the 
FAA has determined the proposed paragraph (e)(1) of the NPRM must be 
revised by deleting the language referring to delivery dates and dates 
of LH fuel supply hose replacement or

[[Page 24785]]

reinstallation. As a result of these changes, all helicopters specified 
in the applicability paragraph would be required to comply with the 
required actions in this proposed AD. Also, since the NPRM was issued, 
the FAA has determined that a limit on special flight permits is 
required. This SNPRM reflects this change that special flight permits 
may be permitted provided that there are no passengers on board.

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost.

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 determining the unsafe condition described previously is likely 
to exist or develop in other helicopters of these same type designs. 
Certain changes described above expand the scope of the NPRM. As a 
result, it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide 
additional opportunity for the public to comment on this SNPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
EC225-71A019, Revision 1, dated February 28, 2019, which specifies 
procedures for removing the fuel supply hose from the LH power plant, 
visually inspecting the fuel supply hose for twisting, and depending on 
inspection results, performing an endoscope inspection on the inside of 
the hose. This service information also specifies procedures required 
to install a serviceable fuel supply hose.
    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 in This SNPRM

    For helicopters with a certain part-numbered LH fuel supply hose 
installed, this proposed AD would require visually inspecting the LH 
fuel supply hose for twisting, and if needed, borescope inspecting the 
entire length of the inside of the fuel supply hose for twisting. 
Depending on the inspection results, this proposed AD would require 
reinstalling or removing the fuel supply hose from service. 
Additionally, this proposed AD would prohibit installing a certain 
part-numbered LH fuel supply hose on any helicopter unless that LH fuel 
supply hose is installed by following certain procedures described in 
the manufacturer's service bulletin.

Differences Between This SNPRM and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires compliance within 110 flight hours or 6 
months, whichever occurs first, while this proposed AD would require 
compliance within 110 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD. The EASA AD requires reporting information to Airbus 
Helicopters if the LH fuel supply hose is twisted on the inside, while 
this proposed AD would not. Additionally, the EASA AD is applicable to 
certain aircraft delivered to the first operator prior to 30 Nov 2018, 
and also to certain aircraft in which the affected part or LH engine 
were not replaced or reinstalled before the effective date of the EASA 
AD, whereas this proposed AD would apply to EC225LP helicopters with a 
certain LH fuel supply hose installed, because operators might not know 
when the helicopter was first delivered or what maintenance was 
previously performed.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 28 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.
    Visually inspecting the LH fuel supply hose for twisting would take 
about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and 
$2,380 for the U.S. fleet.
    Replacing a LH fuel supply hose would take about 8 work-hours and 
parts would cost about $2,278 for an estimated replacement cost of 
$2,958 per replacement.
    Borescope inspecting the LH fuel supply hose would take about 8 
work-hours for an estimated cost of $680 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.
    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, 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.

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:

Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2020-0904; Product Identifier 
2019-SW-041-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by June 24, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 24786]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with a left-hand side (LH) engine fuel 
supply (fuel supply) hose part number (P/N) 704A34416087 installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2820, Aircraft 
Fuel Distribution System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an incorrect installation of 
the LH fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416087. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to prevent restricted fuel flow to the LH engine. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in a decrease of the LH 
engine power when accelerating to a power setting corresponding to 
One Engine Inoperative power and subsequent reduced control of the 
helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, visually inspect the LH fuel supply hose for 
twisting as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of Airbus Helicopters Alert 
Service Bulletin No. EC225-71A019, Revision 1, dated February 28, 
2019 (ASB EC225-71A019). If the LH fuel supply hose has any 
twisting, before further flight, borescope inspect the entire length 
of the inside of the fuel supply hose for twisting as shown in 
Figures 3 through 5 of ASB EC225-71A019.
    (i) If the inside of the LH fuel supply hose has any twisting, 
before further flight, remove the LH fuel supply hose from service 
and install an airworthy LH fuel supply hose by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.3.b, of ASB EC225-71A019.
    (ii) If the LH fuel supply hose does not have any twisting, 
reinstall the LH fuel supply hose by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B.3.b, of ASB EC225-71A019.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an LH 
fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416087 on any helicopter unless it is 
installed by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
3.B.3.b, of ASB EC225-71A019.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits may be permitted provided that there are 
no passengers on board.

(i) 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 (j)(1) of 
this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact James Blyn, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Strategic Policy Emerging Aircraft 
Section, Policy and Innovation Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (2) 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 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 7617 N-321. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(817) 222-5110.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0092, dated April 26, 2019. 
You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket. You may view the EASA AD on 
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2020-
0904.

    Issued on May 3, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-09760 Filed 5-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P