[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54925-54926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21921]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0646; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-053-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, Inc. (Previously
Eurocopter France) 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, Inc. (previously Eurocopter France) Model AS355E,
AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters with a Fueltron flowmeter
installed. This proposed AD would require removing each flowmeter,
replacing the fuel system hoses, and disabling the electrical
connections for the flowmeter installation. This proposed AD is
prompted by a report of particle contamination creating an obstruction
in a flowmeter which resulted in an uncontrolled flame-out of the
engine. The proposed actions are intended to prevent obstruction of the
fuel supply to the flowmeter, which could result in engine flame-out
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 14,
2014.
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 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, 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 AD, contact
Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 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, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
[email protected].
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 Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2013-0205, dated September 9,
2013, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter (now Airbus
Helicopters, Inc.) Model AS355 E, AS355 F, AS355 F1, and AS355 F2
helicopters with modification 350A070791 (installation of the Fueltron
flowmeter), except helicopters with modification 355A085801 (removal of
the Fueltron flowmeter). EASA advises that, after landing, an AS355
helicopter experienced an uncontrolled flame-out of the No. 1 engine.
Following an analysis, EASA states that particle contamination in the
fuel had obstructed the Fueltron flowmeter because the cross-section
areas of the passages in the flowmeter are smaller than the mesh in the
upstream fuel pump strainer, allowing particles to pass through the
strainer and into the flowmeter. EASA further states that the flowmeter
installation is identical on both engines, and that this condition
could lead to flame-out of both engines in flight, possibly resulting
in reduced control of the helicopter. EASA AD No. 2013-0205 requires
removing the flowmeter from each engine, modifying the fuel line system
with a new fuel line part number (P/N) 704A34-416-029 for the left-hand
(LH) engine and P/N 704A34-416-030 for the right-hand (RH) engine,
removing the flowmeter indicator, and disabling the flowmeter
electrical connections.
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
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 helicopters of the same type design.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS355-
28.00.20, Revision 0, dated June 6, 2013, for Model AS355 E, AS355 F,
AS355 F1, and AS355 F2 helicopters, which describes procedures for
removing and disabling the Fueltron flowmeter installation. The ASB
corresponds to Eurocopter modification 355A085801.
[[Page 54926]]
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require, within 750 hours time-in-service,
removing the flowmeter from each engine, replacing the fuel line with
P/N 704A34-416-029 for the LH engine and P/N 704A34-416-030 for the RH
engine, removing the flowmeter indicator, and disabling the flowmeter
electrical connections by complying with certain procedures in ASB No.
AS355-28.00.20.
Interim Action
We consider this proposed AD to 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, we might consider
additional rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 47 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators would incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85
per work-hour, removing the flowmeter installation would require about
4 work-hours, and required parts would cost $1,600, for a cost per
helicopter of $1,940 and a total cost of $91,180 for the 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.
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 proposed 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);
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, Inc. (Previously Eurocopter France) Helicopters:
Docket No. FAA-2014-0646; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-053-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters, Inc. Model AS355E,
AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters, certificated in any
category, with a Fueltron flowmeter part number (P/N) 704A37-670-001
installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as obstruction of the fuel
supply to the flowmeter, which could result in engine shutdown and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by November 14, 2014.
(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 750 hours time-in-service:
(i) Remove each flowmeter.
(ii) Remove each left-hand hose, P/N 704A34.4160.31, and install
hose, P/N 704A34-416-029, as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 of
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. AS355-28.00.20, Revision 0,
dated June 6, 2013 (ASB AS355-28.00.20).
(iii) Remove each right-hand hose, P/N 704A34.4160.32, and
install hose, P/N 704A34-416-030, as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 of
ASB AS355-28.00.20.
(iv) Remove each flowmeter indicator and disable the flowmeter
wiring as described in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph
3.B.2.b., of ASB AS355-28.00.20.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a
flowmeter, P/N 704A37-670-001, on any helicopter.
(f) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Regulations and Policy Group, FAA, may approve
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: James Blyn, Aviation
Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft
Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137;
telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
(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.
(h) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD 2013-0205, dated September 9, 2013. You may view
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket
No. FAA-2014-0646.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7333: Fuel Flow
Sensor.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 2, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21921 Filed 9-12-14; 8:45 am]
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