DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0904; Product Identifier 2019-SW-041-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 EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD
would require various inspections of the left-hand side (LH) engine
fuel supply (fuel supply) hose and depending on the inspection results,
removing from service or reinstalling the hose. This proposed AD would
also prohibit installing any LH fuel supply hose unless it is installed
by following the service information. This proposed AD was prompted by
a report of an incorrect installation of the LH fuel supply hose
causing restricted fuel flow to the LH engine. 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 November
23, 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-
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
this proposed AD, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 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 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: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email
james.blyn@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 James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations
and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email james.blyn@faa.
gov.

Discussion

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2019-0092, dated April 26, 2019
(EASA AD 2019-0092), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus
Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) Model EC 225 LP helicopters, all
serial numbers. EASA advises that an occurrence was reported where
during an in-flight single engine power check, the LH side engine
experienced a power loss. EASA states that a subsequent investigation
determined that the fuel flow to the affected engine was restricted by
a twisted fuel supply hose. EASA states 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 One Engine
Inoperative power, and subsequent reduced control of the helicopter.
Accordingly, the EASA AD requires 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 also introduces re-
installation requirements for a fuel supply hose that is being replaced
or reinstalled.

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 helicopters of
the same type designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
EC225-71A019, Revision 1, dated February 28, 2019, 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 a serviceable 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require compliance with certain procedures
described in the manufacturer's service bulletin. For helicopters
delivered to the first operator before November 30, 2018, and for
helicopters delivered to the first operator on or after November 30,
2018 that have had the LH fuel supply hose replaced or reinstalled
before May 10, 2019, 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 and depending on the inspection results, 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.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD requires compliance within 110 flight hours or 6
months, whichever occurs first, while this proposed AD would require
compliance within 110 hours time-in-service. The EASA AD requires
reporting information to Airbus Helicopters if the LH fuel supply hose
is twisted on the inside, while this proposed AD would not.

Interim Action

The FAA considers this proposed AD to be an interim action. An
investigation is ongoing and if final action is later identified, the
FAA might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 96 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. Visually inspecting the LH fuel
supply hose for twisting would take about 1 work-hour for an estimated
cost of $85 per helicopter and $8,160 for the U.S. fleet. Replacing a
LH fuel supply hose would take about 8 work-hours and parts would cost
about $2,278 for an estimated replacement cost of $2,958 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. 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):