[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60292-60295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27274]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-0671; Product Identifier 2016-SW-072-AD; Amendment
39-19135; AD 2017-26-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Previously
Eurocopter France)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-25-07 for
Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. AD 2009-25-07 required
amending the rotorcraft flight manual supplement (RFMS) and pre-flight
checking the emergency flotation gear before each flight over water.
Since we issued AD 2009-25-07, Airbus Helicopters developed a
terminating action and identified an additional part-
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numbered emergency floatation gear part with the unsafe condition. This
new AD retains the requirements of AD 2009-25-07, expands the
applicability, and adds a terminating action for the repetitive
inspections. The actions of this AD are intended to correct an unsafe
condition on these helicopters.
DATES: This AD is effective January 24, 2018.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final 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/website/technical-expert/. 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.
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-2017-
0671; 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 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 (phone: 800-647-5527)
is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Schwab, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to remove AD 2009-25-07 (74 FR 65682, December 11, 2009) (2009-
25-07), and add a new AD. AD 2009-25-07 applied to Eurocopter France
(now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC120B helicopters. AD 2009-25-07
required amending the limitations section of RFMS to prohibit flight
over water if the ``float arm'' pushbutton does not remain lit,
conducting a pilot check to determine whether the ``float arm''
pushbutton remains lit before any flight over water, and placarding the
``float arm'' pushbutton as inoperative if the functional check is
unsuccessful.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 14, 2017 (82 FR
32501). The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2016-0180, dated September 13,
2016 (AD 2016-0180), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for
the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition
for Model EC120B helicopters. EASA advises that Airbus Helicopters has
designed an improved latching pushbutton, which when installed becomes
a terminating action for the repetitive functional checks of the float
arm pushbuttons. EASA also states that lighting and ancillary control
unit (LACU) part number (P/N) 040101BA is equipped with the same faulty
pushbutton and must be included in the applicability.
Accordingly, the NPRM proposed to retain the RFMS amendment and
repetitive functional check requirements of AD 2009-25-07, add LACU P/N
040101BA to the applicability paragraph, require replacing the float
arm pushbutton P/N 045004A111A with float arm pushbutton P/N 304-2500-
00 within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS), and prohibit installing
float arm pushbutton P/N 045004A111A on any helicopter. Replacing the
float arm pushbutton was also proposed as a terminating action for the
repetitive functional checks prior to flight overwater. An owner/
operator (pilot) may perform the functional check required by this AD
and must enter compliance with that paragraph into the helicopter
maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4)
and 91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may perform this check because it involves
only a functional check to determine whether the emergency flotation
gear has been armed and can be performed equally well by a pilot or a
mechanic. This check is an exception to our standard maintenance
regulations.
The proposed requirements were intended to prohibit flight over
water if a functional test indicates that the emergency flotation gear
cannot be armed, which would preclude deployment of the floats in an
emergency water ditching, resulting in subsequent damage to the
helicopter and injury to occupants.
Since the NPRM was issued, the FAA's Aircraft Certification Service
has changed its organization structure. The new structure replaces
product directorates with functional divisions. We have revised some of
the office titles and nomenclature throughout this Final rule to
reflect the new organizational changes. Additional information about
the new structure can be found in the Notice published on July 25, 2017
(82 FR 34564).
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.
FAA's Determination
We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of these same type designs and that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires installing the LACU float arm pushbutton
within 13 months; this AD requires the installation within 300 hours
TIS.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No.
04A007, Revision 1, dated June 30, 2016 (EASB), for Airbus Helicopters
Model EC120B helicopters. The EASB describes procedures for a pre-
flight check of the float arm pushbutton while arming the emergency
flotation gear and prohibits operators from flight over water if the
float arm pushbutton fails.
We also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
EC120-31A008, Revision 0, dated June 30, 2016 (ASB), for Airbus
Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. The ASB describes procedures for
replacing the float arm pushbutton with a new design pushbutton and for
re-labeling the modified LACU with a new P/N label.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate this AD will affect 53 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, the
cost of revising the limitations section of the RFMS and of the pre-
flight functional check is negligible. Replacing the float arm
pushbutton will require about 2 work-hours, and required parts cost
about $311, for a cost per helicopter of $481 and a total cost of
$25,493 to 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,
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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 helicopters identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2009-25-07, Amendment 39-16126 (74 FR 65682, December 11, 2009), and
adding the following new AD:
2017-26-04 Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter France):
Amendment 39-19135; Docket No. FAA-2017-0671; Product Identifier
2016-SW-072-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter
France) Model EC120B helicopters, certificated in any category, with
a Lighting and Ancillary Control Unit (LACU) part-number (P/N)
040101AB or 040101BA with a float arm pushbutton P/N 045004A111A
installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a ``float
arm'' pushbutton, which could result in inoperative floats being
used in an emergency water ditching, causing damage to the
helicopter or injury to occupants.
(c) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2009-25-07, Amendment 39-16126 (74 FR
65682, December 11, 2009).
(d) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective January 24, 2018.
(e) 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.
(f) Required Actions
(1) Before further flight, amend the EC120B Rotorcraft Flight
Manual Supplement (RFMS) for the Aerazur emergency flotation gear,
by inserting a copy of this AD into the Limitations section of the
RFMS or by making pen and ink changes to that section to add the
information in Figure 1 to paragraph (f)(1) of this AD:
Figure 1 to Paragraph (f)(1)--Amendment to RFMS
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Arm the emergency flotation gear by pressing the LACU ``FLOAT ARM''
pushbutton.
--If both lights of the pushbutton remain lit, flight over water is
permitted.
--If one or both lights of the pushbutton do not remain lit, FLIGHT
OVER WATER IS PROHIBITED.
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(2) Before each flight over water:
(i) Perform a functional check to determine whether flight over
water is permitted under the Limitations section in paragraph (f)(1)
of this AD. For purposes of this AD, ``flight over water'' means
flight beyond the power-off gliding distance from shore. ``Shore''
is an area of land adjacent to the water and above the high water
mark but does not include land area that is intermittently under
water. The actions required by this paragraph may be performed by
the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot
certificate, and must be entered into the aircraft records showing
compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through
(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as
required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
(ii) If the LACU fails the functional check required by
paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this AD, place a placard over the ``float
arm'' pushbutton that reads ``INOP.''
(3) Within 300 hours time-in-service, replace float arm
pushbutton P/N 045004A111A with float arm pushbutton P/N 304-2500-
00. Installing float arm pushbutton P/N 304-2500-00 is terminating
action for the functional check and placard required by paragraphs
(f)(2)(i) and (f)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(4) Do not install float arm pushbutton P/N 045004A111A on any
helicopter.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to:
George Schwab, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth,
TX 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 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No.
04A007, Revision 1, dated June 30, 2016, and Airbus Helicopters
Alert Service Bulletin No. EC120-31A008, Revision 0, dated June 30,
2016, which are not incorporated by reference, contain 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/website/technical-expert/. You may review
a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of
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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. 2016-0180, dated September 13, 2016. You
may view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov
in Docket No. FAA-2017-0671.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2560 Emergency
Equipment.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 12, 2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-27274 Filed 12-19-17; 8:45 am]
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