DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0904; Project Identifier 2019-SW-041-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising a supplemental notice of proposed
rulemaking SNPRM that applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model
EC225LP helicopters. This action revises the SNPRM by proposing to
require the installation of an improved part, which would also provide
a terminating action for the proposed requirements. The FAA is
proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an
additional burden over those in the SNPRM, the agency is requesting
comments on this SNPRM.

DATES: The comment period for the SNPRM published in the Federal
Register on May 10, 2021 (86 FR 24783) is reopened.

The FAA must receive comments on this SNPRM by October 22, 2021.

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 between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this SNPRM, contact Airbus
Helicopters, 2701 North 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 service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort
Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0904; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains the first SNPRM, this
SNPRM, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0156,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-
9167; email hal.jensen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include "Docket No. FAA-2020-0904; Project Identifier
2019-SW-041-AD" at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may again
revise this proposal because of those comments.

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

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 SNPRM 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 SNPRM, 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 SNPRM. Submissions containing CBI should
be sent to Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety Branch,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW,
Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email
hal.jensen@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.

Background

The FAA issued an SNPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD
that would apply to Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters, with
a left-hand side (LH) engine fuel supply (fuel supply) hose part number
(P/N) 704A34416087 installed. The SNPRM published in the Federal
Register on May 10, 2021 (86 FR 24783). In the SNPRM, the FAA proposed
to require visually inspecting the LH fuel supply hose P/N 704A34416087
for twisting, and if needed, borescope inspecting the entire length of
the inside of the fuel supply hose for twisting. Depending on the
inspection results, the SNPRM would require reinstalling or removing
the fuel supply hose from service. Additionally, the SNPRM would
prohibit installing a certain part-numbered LH fuel supply hose on any
helicopter unless that LH fuel supply hose is installed by following
certain procedures described in the manufacturer's service bulletin.

The SNPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2019-0092, dated April 26, 2019
(EASA AD 2019-0092), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for
the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition
for Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) Model EC 225 LP
helicopters, all serial numbers. EASA advised that an occurrence was
reported where during an in-flight single engine power check, the LH
side engine experienced a power loss. EASA stated that a subsequent
investigation determined that the fuel flow to the affected engine was
restricted by a twisted fuel supply hose. EASA stated that this
condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a decrease of
the LH engine power when accelerating to the power setting
corresponding to OEI power, and subsequent reduced control of the
helicopter.

Accordingly, EASA AD 2019-0092 required a one-time visual
inspection of the fuel supply hose and depending on the inspection
results, removing from service or replacing the affected part. EASA AD
2019-0092 also introduced re-installation requirements for a fuel
supply hose that is being replaced or reinstalled.

Actions Since the SNPRM Was Issued

Since the SNPRM was issued, EASA issued AD 2021-0156, dated July 2,
2021 (EASA AD 2021-0156), which supersedes EASA AD 2019-0092. EASA
advises that Airbus Helicopters has developed an improved fuel supply
hose P/N 704A34416101 and modification instructions to install the
improved part. Accordingly, EASA AD 2021-0156 retains the requirements
of EASA AD 2019-0092 and requires replacing the affected part with the
improved part. EASA AD 2021-0156 also allows a terminating action for
the inspection requirements once the improved part has been installed
according to the installation requirements. Consequently, the FAA is
revising the SNPRM to propose requiring installation of the improved
part which would provide a terminating action for the previously
proposed inspections.

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the first SNPRM or on the
determination of the cost.

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 determining the unsafe condition described previously is likely
to exist or develop in other helicopters of these same type designs.
Certain changes described above expand the scope of the first SNPRM. As
a result, it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide
additional opportunity for the public to comment on this SNPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
EC225-71A019, Revision 2, dated May 21, 2021, which specifies
procedures for removing the fuel supply hose from the LH power plant,
visually inspecting the fuel supply hose for twisting, and depending on
inspection results, performing an endoscope inspection on the inside of
the hose. This service information also specifies procedures required
to install the improved fuel supply hose.

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 Alert Service Bulletin No.
EC225-71A019, Revision 1, dated February 28, 2019, which also specifies
procedures for removing the fuel supply hose, visually inspecting the
fuel supply hose for twisting, performing an endoscope inspection on
the inside of the hose, and specifies procedures required to install a
serviceable fuel supply hose.

Proposed AD Requirements in This SNPRM

For helicopters with a certain part-numbered LH fuel supply hose
installed, this proposed AD would require visually inspecting the LH
fuel supply hose for twisting, and if needed, borescope inspecting the
entire length of the inside of the fuel supply hose for twisting.
Depending on the inspection results, this proposed AD would require
reinstalling or removing the fuel supply hose from service.
Additionally, this proposed AD would prohibit installing a certain
part-numbered LH fuel supply hose on any helicopter unless that LH fuel
supply hose is installed by following certain procedures described in
the manufacturer's service bulletin. Finally, this proposed AD would
require modifying your helicopter by removing from service LH fuel
supply hose P/N 704A34416087 and installing the improved LH fuel supply
hose P/N 704A34416101. This modification would provide terminating
action for the proposed inspection requirements.

Differences Between This SNPRM and EASA AD 2021-0156

EASA AD 2021-0156 requires compliance within 110 flight hours or 6
months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of EASA AD
2019-0092, while this proposed AD would require compliance within 110
hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD. EASA AD
2021-0156 requires reporting information to Airbus Helicopters if the
LH fuel supply hose is twisted on the inside, while this proposed AD
would not. Additionally, EASA AD 2021-0156 is applicable to all serial-
numbered EC225LP helicopters, whereas this proposed AD would apply to
EC225LP helicopters with a certain LH fuel supply hose installed.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 28 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates are estimated at
$85 per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this proposed AD.

Visually inspecting the LH fuel supply hose for twisting would take
about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and
$2,380 for the U.S. fleet.

Replacing a LH fuel supply hose would take about 8 work-hours and
parts would cost about $2,363 for an estimated replacement cost of
$3043 per replacement.

Borescope inspecting the LH fuel supply hose would take about 8
work-hours for an estimated cost of $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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive: