DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0696; Product Identifier 2018-SW-019-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH and
Eurocopter Canada Ltd.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-
26-02 for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S,
BO-105LS A-1, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters; and Eurocopter Canada Ltd.
Model BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. AD 97-26-02 requires a repetitive
visual inspection for cracks in the ribbed area of the main rotor (M/R)
mast flange (flange), and depending on the outcome, replacing the M/R
mast. Since the FAA issued AD 97-26-02, it has been determined that a
certain reinforced M/R mast is not affected by this unsafe condition.
This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 97-26-02 and
remove the reinforced M/R mast from the applicability. 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 August 31,
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-2020-0696;
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 (now European
Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, the Transport Canada AD, 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
view this 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: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110;
email Matthew.fuller@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

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

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, 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.

Confidential Business Information

Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552),
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page
of your submission containing CBI as "PROPIN." The FAA will treat
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing
CBI should be sent to Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer,
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email
Matthew.fuller@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.

Discussion

The FAA issued AD 97-26-02, Amendment 39-10245 (62 FR 65749,
December 16, 1997) ("AD 97-26-02") for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105LS A-1, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters and
Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. AD 97-26-02
requires a repetitive visual inspection for cracks in the ribbed area
of the M/R flange and replacing the M/R mast if there is a crack. AD
97-26-02 was prompted by Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) AD 97-275, effective
September 25, 1997, issued by LBA, which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Deutschland
GmbH Model BO 105 helicopters; and Transport Canada AD No. CF-97-18,
dated September 30, 1997 (Transport Canada AD CF-97-18), issued by
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, to
correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model BO 105LS
A-3 helicopters. The LBA and Transport Canada ADs required an immediate
and repetitive visual inspection for a crack in the flange area after
an M/R mast was found to have cracks of critical magnitude. The actions
of AD 97-26-02 are intended to detect cracks in the flange, which could
result in failure of the flange and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.

Actions Since AD 97-26-02 Was Issued

Since the FAA issued AD 97-26-02, EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA AD No.
2018-0056, dated March 14, 2018, to correct an unsafe condition for
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (previously Eurocopter Deutschland
GmbH, Eurocopter Hubschrauber GmbH, Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm
GmbH, Eurocopter Canada Ltd, Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Helicopter
Canada Ltd.) Model BO105 A, BO105 C, BO105 D, BO105 LS A-1, BO105 LS A-
3 and BO105 S helicopters. The EASA AD advises of the transfer of type
certificate responsibility of Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model BO-105LS A-3
helicopters to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH and the determination that
reinforced M/R mast part number (P/N) 4639 305 095 of M/R mast assembly
P/N 4639 205 017, is not affected by this unsafe condition. The EASA AD
retains the repetitive visual inspection requirements but only for
helicopters with M/R mast P/N 4619 305 032 of M/R mast assembly P/N
4638 205 005, and M/R mast P/N 4639 305 002 of M/R mast assembly P/N
4639 205 017. With the transfer of type certificate responsibility of
Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model BO-105LS A-3 helicopters, Transport Canada
issued Transport Canada AD No. CF-1997-18R1, dated March 12, 2018, to
cancel Transport Canada AD CF-97-18.

Also, since the FAA issued AD 97-26-02, Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
changed its name to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH. This proposed
AD reflects that change and updates the contact information to obtain
service documentation.

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 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Alert Service Bulletin
No. ASB-BO 105-10-110, dated August 27, 1997. This service information
specifies procedures for repetitive visual inspections of the flange
for cracks.

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, before further flight and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service,
visually inspecting the flange in the ribbed area for a crack using a
5-power or higher magnifying glass. If a crack exists, this proposed AD
would require removing from service the M/R mast and replacing it with
an airworthy M/R mast.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters if there is a
crack in the flange, whereas this proposed AD would require replacing
the M/R mast instead. Also, the EASA AD applies to Model BO105 D and
BO105 S helicopters; the proposed AD does not as these model
helicopters are not type-certificated in the U.S.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 21 helicopters
of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the
following costs in order to comply with this proposed AD. Labor costs
are estimated at $85 per work-hour.

Inspecting the flange would take about 0.25 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $21 per helicopter and $441 for the U.S. fleet per
inspection cycle.

Replacing the M/R mast would take about 8 work-hours and parts
would cost about $30,000 for an estimated cost of $30,680 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.

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.

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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-26-02, Amendment 39-10245
(62 FR 65749, December 16, 1997); and

b. Adding the following new AD: