DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0669; Product Identifier 2017-SW-041-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Previously
Eurocopter France)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-25-
19 for Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model AS350B3
and EC130B4 helicopters. AD 2016-25-19 requires inspecting the pilot's
and co-pilot's throttle twist for proper operation. This proposed AD
would retain the requirements of AD 2016-25-19 and add certain model
helicopters to the applicability. The actions of this proposed AD are
intended to address the unsafe condition on these helicopters.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 9, 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-
0669; 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 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

We issued AD 2016-25-19, Amendment 39-18745 (81 FR 95854, December
29, 2016) (AD 2016-25-19), for Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B3 and
EC130B4 helicopters with the ARRIEL 2B1 engine with the two-channel
Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and with new twist grip
modification (MOD) 073254 (for the Model AS350B3 helicopter) or MOD
073773 (for the Model EC130B4 helicopter). AD 2016-25-19 requires
repetitively inspecting the wiring, performing an insulation test,
inspecting the pilot and copilot throttle twist grip controls, and
testing the pilot and copilot throttle twist grip controls for proper
functioning. AD 2016-25-19 was prompted by AD No. 2013-0191-E, dated
August 22, 2013 (EASA AD 2013-0191-E), issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
advised that the switches in the engine "IDLE" or "FLIGHT" control
system could be affected by the corrosive effects of a salt-laden
atmosphere, which could lead to engine power loss. EASA AD 2013-0191-E
required repetitive inspections for corrosion, application of corrosion
protection on the switches, and testing of the insulation and switches
of the engine idle and flight control system. The actions required in
AD 2016-25-19 are intended to prevent unintended touchdown to the
ground at a flight-idle power setting during a practice autorotation,
damage to the helicopter, and injury to occupants.

Actions Since AD 2016-25-19 Was Issued

Since we issued AD 2016-25-19, EASA issued AD No. 2017-0052, dated
March 24, 2017, which superseded EASA AD No. 2013-0191-E, dated August
22, 2013. EASA advised that Airbus Helicopters had added
clarifications to the operational procedure, introduced a modification
to apply water-tight protection to the microswitch connectors, and
extended the applicability to helicopters with a Turbomecca ARRIEL 2D
engine installed.

EASA subsequently issued AD No. 2017-0059, dated April 6, 2017,
which superseded EASA AD No. 2017-0052 to correct the applicability by
including Model EC130T2 helicopters.

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 one document that co-publishes three Emergency Alert
Service Bulletin (EASB) identification numbers: No. 05.00.61, Revision
3, dated June 15, 2015, for Model AS350B3 helicopters; No. 05.00.41,
Revision 2, dated June 15, 2015, for the non-FAA type certificated
Model AS550C3 helicopter; and No. 05A009, Revision 3, dated June 15,
2015, for Model EC130B4 helicopters. EASB Nos. 05.00.61 and 05A009 are
incorporated by reference in AD 2016-25-19 and will be retained for the
requirements of this proposed AD. EASB No. 05.00.41 is not incorporated
by reference in AD 2016-25-19 and will not be incorporated by reference
in this proposed AD. This service information applies to helicopters
with an Arriel 2B1 engine installed and describes procedures for a
functional check and installation of protection for micro-contacts
(microswitches) 53Ka, 53Kb, and 65K (IDLE/FLIGHT mode).

We also reviewed one document that co-publishes three EASB
identification numbers: No. 05.00.77, Revision 1, dated June 15, 2015,
for Model AS350B3 helicopters; No. 05.00.52, Revision 1, dated June 15,
2015, for the non-FAA type certificated Model AS550C3 helicopter; and
No. 05A014, Revision 1, dated June 15, 2015, for Model EC130T2
helicopters. EASB Nos. 05.00.77 and 05A014 will be incorporated by
reference in this proposed AD. EASB No. 05.00.52 will not be
incorporated by reference in this proposed AD. This service information
applies to helicopters with an Arriel 2D engine installed and describes
procedures for a check of the protection for micro-contacts
(microswitches) 53Ka, 53Kb, and 65K (IDLE/FLIGHT mode).

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 retain the inspection requirements of AD
2016-25-19 but would add Model AS350B3 helicopters with an Arriel 2D
engine installed and Model EC130T2 helicopters.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD requires the initial inspections within 10 flight hours
or 7 days; this proposed AD requires compliance before the next
autorotation training flight or before 100 hours time-in-service,
whichever occurs earlier, as the unsafe condition only occurs when
transitioning the throttle in flight from flight to idle and back to
flight, such as during a practice autorotation.

Additionally, the EASA AD requires installing Airbus Helicopters
modification 074263; this proposed AD does not as it does not correct
the unsafe condition.

Interim Action

We consider this proposed AD to be an interim action. If final
action is later identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 692 helicopters of
U.S. Registry.

We estimate that operators will incur the following costs in order
to comply with this proposed AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per
work hour, it would take about 4 work hours for the inspections and any
necessary maintenance, for a total cost of $340 per helicopter and
$235,280 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2016-25-19, Amendment 39-18745 (81 FR 95854, December 29, 2016), and
adding the following new AD: