DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0418; Product Identifier 2017-SW-016-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 Model AS-365N2 and AS 365 N3 helicopters with a
lower strobe light installed. This proposed AD would require installing
a cable mount, inspecting the lower strobe light wiring harness, and
re-routing the wiring harness. This proposed AD is prompted by reports
of interference between the lower strobe light wiring harness and the
helicopter structure. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to
prevent an unsafe condition on these helicopters.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 10,
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-
0418; 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: George Schwab, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email george.schwab@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. 2016-0258, dated December 16,
2016, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model AS
365 N2 and AS 365 N3 helicopters with certain serial numbers and
configurations. EASA advises of in-production helicopters with lower
strobe light wiring harnesses that were interfering with either the
helicopter structure or the adjacent fuel tank support. EASA further
states that an investigation determined that the electrical harnesses
of these lower strobe lights were manufactured with additional length
to facilitate removal and installation of the lower strobe light
assembly. However, the additional length of wiring in the harness was
not properly secured to the helicopter structure. According to EASA,
this could result in chafing of the harness on the helicopter
structure, creating an ignition source adjacent to the inboard fuel
tank vapor space, and result in a fuel tank fire.
To address this unsafe condition, the EASA AD requires installing a
cable mount, inspecting the lower strobe light electrical harness for
damage, and re-routing the electrical harness.
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 products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.
AS365-05.00.73, Revision 1, dated December 12, 2016 (ASB AS365-
05.00.73), which specifies procedures for inspecting the lower strobe
light electrical harness for interference and chafing with the
helicopter structure and also specifies procedures for installing a
cable mount to secure the electrical harness. These procedures
correspond to Airbus Helicopters modification (MOD) 365P084778.00.
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 50 hours time-in-service
(TIS), installing a cable mount on the helicopter structure and
inspecting the lower strobe light electrical harness and the electrical
harness between the cut-off connector and Frame 2000 for torn spiral
tape and for any chafing on the harness cables. If the spiral tape is
torn, the proposed AD would require, before further flight, replacing
the spiral tape.
If there is any chafing on the cable the proposed AD would require,
before further flight, replacing the harness.
Helicopters in a MOD 365P084778.00 configuration have already
accomplished the actions required by this proposed AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD limits the applicability to helicopters with a lower
strobe light installed and with certain serial numbers or that are in
a
configuration based upon a modification, service information, or
engineering drawings. This proposed AD would apply to all Model AS 365
N2 and AS 365 N3 helicopters with a lower strobe light installed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 30 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 work-hour,
installing a cable mount and inspecting the strobe light wiring
harnesses would require about 1 hour, and required parts would cost
about $50, for a cost per helicopter of $135 and a total cost of $4,050
to all U.S. operators.
If required, replacing torn spiral tape would require about 1 work-
hour, and required parts would cost $45, for a cost per helicopter of
$130.
If required, replacing a chafed wiring harness between the cut-off
connector and Frame 2000 would require about 3 work-hours, and required
parts would cost $90, for a cost per helicopter of $345.
If required, replacing a chafed lower strobe light wiring harness
would require about 3 work-hours, and required parts would cost $154,
for a cost per helicopter of $409
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):
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