DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0336; Product Identifier 2017-SW-130-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 EC135P1,
EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3
helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing the retaining
ring and inspecting the hoist cable hook assembly (hook). This proposed
AD is prompted by a report that a hook detached from the hoist cable.
The actions of this proposed AD are intended to prevent an unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 6, 2018.

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-2018-0336;
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 Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the
economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations (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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.
html. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email david.hatfield@faa.gov.

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. 2017-0199, dated October 11,
2017, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model
EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+,
EC135T3, EC635P2+, EC635P3, EC635T1, EC635T2+, and EC635T3 helicopters.
EASA advises of a report of a hook separating from the hoist cable.
According to EASA, an investigation determined that failure of the
internal retaining ring combined with a permanent compression set of
the elastomeric energy absorber caused the separation. EASA states that
this condition, if not corrected, could lead to the detachment of an
external load or person from the hoist, possibly resulting in personal
injury or injury to persons on the ground.

The EASA AD consequently requires repetitive inspections of the
hook assembly and replacement of the retaining ring. Depending on the
findings of the inspection, the EASA AD also requires replacement of
the elastomeric energy absorber. According to the manufacturer of the
hook, the retaining ring can corrode in a salt-laden environment.
Therefore, replacement of the retaining ring is required with each
inspection. EASA considers its AD an interim measure and states that
further AD action may follow.

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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Goodrich Service Bulletin No. 44301-10-17, Revision 4,
dated July 26, 2017. The Goodrich Service Bulletin is attached as an
appendix to Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB EC135-
85A-069, Revision 0, dated August 2, 2017. This service information
specifies an initial and repetitive inspections of the hook assembly
and replacement of the retaining ring. If the inspections of
elastomeric energy absorber detect a permanent compression set, this
service information also specifies replacing the elastomeric energy
absorber.

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, within 90 hours time-in-service
(TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 180 hours TIS,
replacing the retaining ring and inspecting the elastometric energy
absorber for a permanent compression set, and if necessary, replacing
the elastometric energy absorber before the next hoist operation.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD requires corrective actions in terms of months in
service. This proposed AD would require compliance within 90 hours TIS
and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 180 hours TIS. The EASA AD
applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC635P2+, EC635P3, EC635T1,
EC635T2+, and EC635T3 helicopters. This proposed AD would not because
these model helicopters have no FAA type certificate.

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 proposed 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 278 helicopters of
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on
these estimates, we expect the following costs:

Inspecting the hoist cable hook assembly and replacing the
retaining ring would require 0.5 work-hour and parts would be minimal
for a cost of $43 per helicopter and $11,954 for the U.S. fleet per
inspection cycle.

Replacing an elastomeric energy absorber would require 0.5
work-hour and parts would cost $2,152 for a cost of $2,195 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.

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

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):