DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0537; Product Identifier 2019-NE-16-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Anjou Aeronautique Torso Restraint
Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede airworthiness directive (AD)
2017-16-04 which applies to certain Anjou Aeronautique (formerly Romtex
Anjou Aeronautique) Model 358 torso restraint systems (restraint
systems). AD 2017-16-04 required inspection of the restraint system,
placarding if it is found to be inoperative, and replacement of the
affected restraint system with a part eligible for installation. Since
the FAA issued AD 2017-16-04, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) received reports of additional serial numbered restraint systems
rotary buckle knobs (buckle knobs) breaking on a batch of parts outside
of the previous population. This proposed AD would require the removal
from service of this expanded population of affected restraint systems
and modifies the compliance schedule for their removal. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February
14, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: 202-493-2251.

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Anjou
Aeronautique, Strada Livezii nr. 98, 550042, Sibiu, Romania; telephone:
+40 269 243 918; fax: +40 269 243 921; email: seatbelts@anjouaero.com.
You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7759.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0537;
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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI),
the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803;
phone: 781-238-7693; fax: 781-238-7199; email: dorie.resnik@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2019-0537;
Product Identifier 2019-NE-16-AD" at the beginning of your comments. The
FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because of
those comments.

The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this proposed AD.

Discussion

The FAA issued AD 2017-16-04, Amendment 39-18981 (82 FR 39355,
August 18, 2017), ("AD 2017-16-04"), for Anjou Aeronautique restraint
systems installed on, but not limited to, Airbus Helicopters Model
AS350B2, AS350B3, EC130B4, EC130T2, and AS355NP helicopters. AD 2017-
16-04 requires inspection of the restraint system, placarding if it is
found to be inoperative, and replacement of the affected restraint
system with a part eligible for installation. AD 2017-16-04 resulted
from reports of a population of buckle knobs breaking due to the
alteration of rotary buckle sub-assembly by a supplier of Anjou
Aeronautique to a specification different from the approved design
data. The FAA issued AD 2017-16-04 to prevent a restraint system from
failing to release due to the buckle knobs breaking off, preventing
occupants from exiting the helicopter during an emergency.

Actions Since AD 2017-16-04 Was Issued

Since the FAA issued AD 2017-16-04, EASA received reports of
additional Anjou Aeronautique Model 358 buckle knobs breaking on a
batch of parts affected by the same unsafe condition due to an unknown
root cause. As a result, EASA issued AD 2018-0195, dated September 4,
2018, which identifies a population of the restraint systems to be
removed from service.

Revision to Cost Estimate

The FAA determined the need to clarify the estimated cost in AD
2017-16-04. The cost reflected in AD 2017-16-04 is the total cost per
helicopter ($6,000 per restraint system multiplied by 7 seats per
helicopter totaling $42,000). In this AD, the FAA is providing the cost
estimate per restraint system.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Anjou Aero Service Bulletin (SB) No. 358SB-14-101,
Revision 1, dated December 12, 2014. The SB describes procedures for
removing from service and replacing the rotary buckle sub-assembly on
certain part-numbered and serial-numbered buckle assemblies, consisting
of the rotary buckle, belt, and attachment. 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.

FAA's Determination

The FAA is proposing this AD because it evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2017-16-04.
This proposed AD expands the populations of affected restrains
systems and modifies the compliance schedule for their removal.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and MCAI

EASA AD 2018-0195, dated September 4, 2018, requires replacement of
the affected restraint system within six months after the effective
date of the EASA AD. This proposed AD would require inspection of each
restraint system within 30 hours time in service (TIS) after the
effective date of the AD and replacement of the rotary buckle sub-
assembly within 180 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.
Additionally, the EASA AD applies to restraint systems installed on,
but not limited to, Airbus Helicopter AS350B2, AS350B3, and EC130T2
helicopters. This proposed AD would apply to restraint systems
installed on, but not limited to, Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, AS350B3,
EC130B4, EC130T2, and AS355NP helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects an unknown number
of restraint systems installed on, but not limited to, Airbus
Helicopters AS350B2, AS350B3, EC130B4, EC130T2, and AS355NP helicopters
of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:

Estimated Costs

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
placarding that would be required based on the results of the proposed
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need this placarding:

On-Condition Costs

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in its
cost estimate.

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.

The FAA is 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.

This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

Regulatory Findings

The FAA 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 above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive
Order 12866,

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) 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.

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)
2017-16-04, Amendment 39-18981 (82 FR 39355, August 18, 2017), and
adding the following new AD: