[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16100-16102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06530]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-5247; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-008-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
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 Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model BO-105LS
A-3 helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the
helicopter records to determine if there is a life limit for the
tension-torsion (TT) straps installed in the helicopter lifting system,
establishing a life limit if there is not one, and replacing each TT
strap that has met or exceeded its life limit. This proposed AD is
prompted by an error in the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
Model BO-105LS A-3 maintenance manual. The proposed actions are
intended to prevent failure of a TT strap and subsequent loss of
control of a helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 24, 2016.
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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5247; 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 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.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. 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, Texas
76177.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, Texas 76177; 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, issued EASA AD No. 2015-0042, dated March 9, 2015, to
correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model BO105 LS A-3
helicopters.
[[Page 16101]]
EASA advises that life limits have been introduced for TT strap part
number (P/N) 2604067 and P/N 117-14110 installed on the helicopter
lifting system. During a revision of the Airworthiness Limitations
section of the Model BO105LS A-3 maintenance manual, the life limit for
the TT strap was inadvertently deleted. Accordingly, EASA issued AD No.
2015-0042 to correct this error. EASA AD No. 2015-0042 requires
replacing TT straps upon reaching their life limit and entering the
life limit into the aircraft maintenance manual. EASA states that
failure to comply with the life limit could result in an unsafe
condition.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, 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 products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
Airbus Helicopters issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB BO105LS-10A-
013, Revision 0, dated March 9, 2015 (ASB). The ASB specifies adding a
life limit for the TT strap P/N 2604067 or 117-14110 of 25,000 flights
or 10 years, whichever occurs first, in the list of life-limited parts
and corresponding log cards. The ASB also states TT straps that have
exceeded the retirement time must be replaced and that only TT straps
that have not exceeded the retirement time may be installed.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require, within 20 hours time-in-service:
Inspecting the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
applicable maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICA) and the component history card or equivalent record
for each TT strap and determining whether those records specify a life
limit of 25,000 flights or 10 years since the date of manufacture,
whichever occurs first.
[cir] If the records do not specify a life limit for each TT strap
or if they specify a different life limit than required, revising the
Airworthiness Limitations section of the applicable maintenance manual
or ICA by establishing a life limit of 25,000 flights or 10 years since
date of manufacture, whichever occurs first.
[cir] Creating a component history card or equivalent record for
each TT strap, if one does not exist, and recording a life limit of
25,000 flights or 10 years since date of manufacture, whichever occurs
first.
Removing from service each TT strap that has reached or
exceeded its life limit.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
This proposed AD would require compliance within 20 hours TIS. The
EASA AD allows 2 months to calculate the flight cycles or calendar time
of each TT strap.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 8 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per hour. We estimate
that it would take 2 work hours to inspect and revise the Airworthiness
Limitations section and to calculate and record a life limit for the TT
strap for a total cost of $170 per helicopter and $1,360 for the fleet.
If a TT strap is replaced, we estimate it would take 8 work hours and
$16,617 for required parts for a total cost of $17,297 per helicopter
per TT strap.
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 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 Deutschland GmbH Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-
2016-5247; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-008-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model BO-105LS A-3 helicopters with a tension
torsion (TT) strap part number (P/N) 2604067 or P/N 117-14110
installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a TT strap remaining in
service beyond its fatigue life. This condition could result in
failure of a TT strap and loss of control of a helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by May 24, 2016.
(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.
[[Page 16102]]
(e) Required Actions
Within 20 hours time-in-service:
(1) Inspect the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
applicable maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICA) and the component history card or equivalent
record for TT strap P/N 2604067 and P/N 117-14110. Determine whether
those records specify a life limit of 25,000 flights or 10 years
since the date of manufacture, whichever occurs first.
(2) If the Airworthiness Limitations section of the applicable
maintenance manual or ICA or the component history card or
equivalent record do not specify a life limit for the TT strap, or
if they specify a different life limit than in paragraph (e)(1), do
the following:
(i) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
applicable maintenance manual or ICA by establishing a life limit of
25,000 flights or 10 years since date of manufacture, whichever
occurs first, for each TT strap P/N 2604067 and P/N 117-14110 by
making pen-and-ink changes or by inserting a copy of this AD into
the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual or
the ICA. For purposes of this AD, a flight would be counted anytime
the helicopter lifts off into the air and then lands again
regardless of the duration of the landing and regardless of whether
the engine is shut down.
(ii) Create a component history card or equivalent record for
each TT strap P/N 2604067 and P/N 117-14110, if one does not exist,
and record a life limit of 25,000 flights or 10 years since date of
manufacture, whichever occurs first.
(3) Remove from service each TT strap that has reached or
exceeded its life limit.
(f) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, Texas 76177; 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
(1) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB BO105LS-10A-
013, Revision 0, dated March 9, 2015, which is not incorporated by
reference, contains 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.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. 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.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0042, dated March 9, 2015. You may
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in
the AD Docket.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200 Main Rotor
System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 16, 2016.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06530 Filed 3-24-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P