DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0970; Product Identifier 2018-SW-089-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and
AS332L2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require removing the drain
plugs from the fuel tank compartments located under the bottom
structure. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery that a
modification to the fuel tank could lead to fuel accumulating in an
area containing electrical equipment and subsequent ignition of fuel
vapors. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 3,
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0970;
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 is listed above. 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 https://
www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.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: Jignesh Patel, Aerospace Engineer,
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email
jignesh.patel@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views. The FAA also invites 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.

The FAA will file in the docket all comments received, as well as a
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal,
the FAA will consider all comments received on or before the closing
date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the
comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring
expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light of the
comments received.

Discussion

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2018-0209, dated September 21,
2018 (EASA AD 2018-0209), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus
Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter, Eurocopter France, Aerospatiale)
Model AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, and AS 332 L2
helicopters, except those with modification 0726383.

EASA advises that during production of AS332 helicopters, closure
of the fuel tank drains with plugs was implemented. EASA states that
this closure disregards compliance with an airworthiness certification
requirement and in the event of fuel leakage in flight, a closed fuel
drain creates the risk of fuel accumulation and/or migration to an
adjacent area. EASA advises this area may contain electrical equipment
that could be susceptible to creating a source of ignition. EASA states
this condition, if not corrected, could result in the ignition of fuel
vapors, resulting in a fire causing damage to the helicopter or injury
to the occupants.

Accordingly, EASA AD 2018-0209 requires modification of the
draining system of the fuel tank compartments by removing the drain
plugs from the fuel tank compartments located under the bottom
structure.

FAA's Determination

These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that an
unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other products of the
same type designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No.
AS332-53.01.62, Revision 1, dated May 28, 2019 (ASB AS332-53.01.62,
Revision 1), for Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2
helicopters. This service information contains procedures for removing
the drain plugs from the fuel tank compartments located under the
bottom structure of the helicopter. This service information also
specifies that the number of drain plugs varies depending on the
version of the helicopter.

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.

Other Related Service Information

The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB No. AS332-53.01.62,
Revision 0, dated June 7, 2018 (AS332-53.01.62, Revision 0). AS332-
53.01.62, Revision 0, contains the same procedures as AS332-53.01.62,
Revision 1. However, AS332-53.01.62, Revision 1, also addresses
military versions.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require removing the drain plugs from the
fuel tank compartments.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 11 helicopters
of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the
following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are
estimated at $85 per work-hour.

Removing the 6 drain plugs installed on Model AS332C and AS332C1
helicopters would take about 2 work-hours for an estimated cost of $170
per helicopter and $170 for the U.S. fleet size of 1 helicopter.

Removing the 7 drain plugs installed on Model AS332L, AS332L1, and
AS332L2 helicopters would take about 2 work-hours for an estimated cost
of $170 per helicopter and $1,700 for the U.S. fleet size of 10
helicopters.

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.

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, I certify this 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.

The FAA 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):