Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, 12804-12806 [2016-04981]
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12804
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
049, dated April 30, 2014, are co-published
as one document.
(3) For MD Helicopters service information
identified in this final rule, contact MD
Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support
Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop
M615, Mesa, AZ 85215–9734; telephone 1–
800–388–3378; fax 480–346–6813; or at
https://www.mdhelicopters.com.
(4) You may view this service information
at 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.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
(202) 741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 1,
2016.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–04982 Filed 3–10–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2015–4381; Directorate
Identifier 2015–SW–009–AD;Amendment
39–18428; AD 2016–05–10]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus
Helicopters Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B,
and EC155B1 helicopters with certain
external life rafts. This AD requires
installing a sheath kit on the left-hand
and right-hand raft deployment control
systems. This AD is prompted by a
report that the life raft deployment
control could not be adjusted due to
problems with the life raft deployment
linkage. This unsafe condition, if not
corrected, could result in failure of the
external life raft to deploy and prevent
evacuation of passengers during an
emergency.
DATES: This AD becomes effective
March 28, 2016.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
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of certain documents listed in this AD
as of March 28, 2016.
We must receive comments on this
AD by May 10, 2016.
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–2015–
4381; or in person at the Docket
Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any
incorporated by reference service
information, the economic evaluation,
any comments received, and other
information. The street address for the
Docket Operations Office (telephone
800–647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.
For service information identified in
this final 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.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
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. It is also on the
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2015–4381.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group,
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5116; email
david.hatfield@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety, and
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we did not provide you with notice and
an opportunity to provide your
comments prior to it becoming effective.
However, we invite you to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. We also
invite comments relating to the
economic, environmental, energy, or
federalism impacts that resulted from
adopting this AD. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of
the AD, 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 them only one time. We will file
in the docket all comments that we
receive, as well as a report summarizing
each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerning this
rulemaking during the comment period.
We will consider all the comments we
receive and may conduct additional
rulemaking based on those comments.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2015–
0048, dated March 17, 2015, to correct
an unsafe condition for Airbus
Helicopters Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B,
and EC155B1 helicopters. EASA advises
that after installation of a new life raft
on a helicopter, the travel of the life raft
deployment control could not be
properly adjusted, putting at risk proper
life raft inflation. According to a
technical analysis, the varying positions
of the life raft inflation cylinder inside
the bag containing the life raft, as well
as the varying positions of the bag
within the life raft container, may cause
the life raft deployment control cable to
loosen and travel insufficiently.
This condition could result in failure
of the external life raft to deploy after a
ditching, impeding or preventing the
safe evacuation of helicopter occupants,
EASA states. EASA consequently
requires alteration of the life raft
deployment control by installing a
sheath kit, which Airbus Helicopters
identifies as Modification
365A084711.00 and 365A084711.01.
FAA’s Determination
These helicopters have been approved
by the aviation authority of France and
are approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to our bilateral
agreement with France, EASA, its
technical representative, has notified us
of the unsafe condition described in the
EASA AD. We are issuing this AD
because we evaluated all information
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
provided by EASA and determined the
unsafe condition exists and is likely to
exist or develop on other helicopters of
these same type designs.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS365–
25.01.45 and ASB No. EC155–25A128,
both Revision 1, and both dated
February 2, 2015. The service
information reports that the position of
the life raft inflation cylinder may
slacken the deployment control cable
for new life rafts installed on Model AS
365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1
helicopters. In one instance, travel of
the life raft deployment control could
not be adjusted as stated in the
maintenance manual. This anomaly is
due to the varying positions of the
inflation cylinder inside the bag that
contains the life raft, and the varying
positions of the bag inside the container,
related to the installation and removal
of optional equipment, calendar
overhauls, life raft storage, shock
impacts, and in-flight vibrations. Airbus
Helicopters consequently developed
modification 365A084711.00 and
365A084711.01, which ensure sufficient
travel of the life raft deployment control
cable in all positions of the inflation
cylinder by installing an improved
sheath kit on the left hand and right
hand deployment controls.
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.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
AD Requirements
This AD requires, before the next
flight over water, installing a sheath kit
on the left-hand and right-hand raft
deployment controls.
Differences Between This AD and the
EASA AD
The EASA AD requires installing a
sheath kit on the left-hand and righthand raft deployment controls within
110 hours time-in-service or before
further flight for helicopters required to
have life rafts, whichever occurs later.
This AD requires installing a sheath kit
on the left-hand and right-hand raft
deployment controls before the next
flight over water.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
affects 23 helicopters of U.S. Registry
and that labor costs average $85 per
work-hour. Based on these estimates, we
expect that installing the sheath kits
requires 4 work-hours and a parts cost
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of $50 for a total cost of $390 per
helicopter and $8,970 for the U.S. fleet.
FAA’s Justification and Determination
of the Effective Date
Providing an opportunity for public
comments prior to adopting these AD
requirements would delay
implementing the safety actions needed
to correct this known unsafe condition.
Therefore, we find that the risk to the
flying public justifies waiving notice
and comment prior to the adoption of
this rule because many of the affected
helicopters are located along major
waterways, and the required corrective
actions must be accomplished before the
next flight over water.
Since an unsafe condition exists that
requires the immediate adoption of this
AD, we determined that notice and
opportunity for prior public comment
before issuing this AD are impracticable
and contrary to the public interest and
that good cause exists to make this AD
effective in less than 30 days.
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.
We are 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
We determined that this AD will not
have federalism implications under
Executive Order 13132. This AD will
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
that this AD:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
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12805
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
Alaska to the extent that it justifies
making a regulatory distinction; and
4. 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
■
2016–05–10 Airbus Helicopters:
Amendment 39–18428; Docket No.
FAA–2015–4381; Directorate Identifier
2015–SW–009–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters
Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1
helicopters with an external life raft part
number 245431–0, 245431–1, 245434–0, or
245434–1 installed, certificated in any
category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as an
external life raft’s failure to deploy. This
condition could prevent the safe evacuation
of helicopter occupants during an emergency
landing in water.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective March 28, 2016.
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each
action required by this AD within the
specified compliance time unless it has
already been accomplished prior to that time.
(e) Required Actions
Before the next flight over water, install a
sheath kit on each left-hand and right-hand
life raft deployment control in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraph 3.B.2, of Airbus Helicopters Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS365–25.01.45,
Revision 1, dated February 2, 2015, or ASB
No. EC155–25A128, Revision 1, dated
February 2, 2015, whichever is applicable to
your helicopter.
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: David Hatfield,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management
Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5116; email 9-ASWFTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that
you notify your principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office, before
operating any aircraft complying with this
AD through an AMOC.
(g) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
No. 2015–0048, dated March 17, 2015. You
may view the EASA AD on the Internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating it in Docket No. FAA–2015–
4381.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: Life Raft, 2564.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin No. AS365–25.01.45, Revision 1,
dated February 2, 2015.
(ii) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin No. EC155–25A128, Revision 1,
dated February 2, 2015.
(3) For Airbus Helicopters service
information identified in this final 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.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
(4) You may view this service information
at 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.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
(202) 741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February
29, 2016.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–04981 Filed 3–10–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:58 Mar 10, 2016
Jkt 238001
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Examining the AD Docket
Federal Aviation Administration
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
0248; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is
Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2015–0248; Directorate
Identifier 2014–NM–143–AD; Amendment
39–18410; AD 2016–04–16]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are superseding
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013–08–
23 for all The Boeing Company Model
DC–10–10, DC–10–10F, DC–10–15, DC–
10–30, DC–10–30F (KC–10A and KDC–
10), DC–10–40, DC–10–40F, MD–10–
10F, MD–10–30F, MD–11, and MD–11F
airplanes. AD 2013–08–23 required
adding design features to detect
electrical faults and to detect a pump
running in an empty fuel tank. This new
AD would clarify certain requirements
and remove a terminating action. This
new AD would also provide an optional
method of compliance for the proposed
actions. This AD was prompted by a
determination that it is necessary to
clarify the requirements for the design
features and to remove a terminating
action for certain inspections. We are
issuing this AD to reduce the potential
of ignition sources inside fuel tanks,
which, in combination with flammable
fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank
explosions and consequent loss of the
airplane.
SUMMARY:
This AD is effective April 15,
2016.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in this AD
as of April 15, 2016.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this final rule, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes,
Attention: Data & Services Management,
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800–
0019, Long Beach, CA 90846–0001;
telephone 206–544–5000, extension 2;
fax 206–766–5683; Internet https://
www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view
this referenced service information at
the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call 425–227–1221. It is also available
on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
0248.
DATES:
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Serj
Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM–140L, FAA,
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, CA 90712–4137; phone:
562–627–5254; fax: 562–627–5210;
email: serj.harutunian@faa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2013–08–23,
Amendment 39–17441 (78 FR 24037,
April 24, 2013). AD 2013–08–23 applied
to all The Boeing Company Model DC–
10–10, DC–10–10F, DC–10–15, DC–10–
30, DC–10–30F (KC–10A and KDC–10),
DC–10–40, DC–10–40F, MD–10–10F,
MD–10–30F, MD–11, and MD–11F
airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on March 27, 2015 (80
FR 16321). The NPRM was prompted by
a determination that it is necessary to
clarify the requirements for the design
features and to remove a terminating
action for certain inspections. The
NPRM proposed to clarify certain
requirements and remove a terminating
action. The NPRM also proposed to
provide an optional method of
compliance for the proposed actions.
We are issuing this AD to reduce the
potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in
fuel tank explosions and consequent
loss of the airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. The
following presents the comments
received on the NPRM (80 FR 16321,
March 27, 2015) and the FAA’s response
to each comment.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12804-12806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04981]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-4381; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-009-
AD;Amendment 39-18428; AD 2016-05-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus
Helicopters Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters with
certain external life rafts. This AD requires installing a sheath kit
on the left-hand and right-hand raft deployment control systems. This
AD is prompted by a report that the life raft deployment control could
not be adjusted due to problems with the life raft deployment linkage.
This unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the
external life raft to deploy and prevent evacuation of passengers
during an emergency.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 28, 2016.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of March 28, 2016.
We must receive comments on this AD by May 10, 2016.
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-2015-
4381; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any
incorporated by reference service information, the economic evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
For service information identified in this final 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.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. 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. It is also on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-4381.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5116; email
david.hatfield@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific
portion of the AD, 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 them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2015-0048, dated March 17, 2015,
to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model AS 365 N3,
EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters. EASA advises that after installation
of a new life raft on a helicopter, the travel of the life raft
deployment control could not be properly adjusted, putting at risk
proper life raft inflation. According to a technical analysis, the
varying positions of the life raft inflation cylinder inside the bag
containing the life raft, as well as the varying positions of the bag
within the life raft container, may cause the life raft deployment
control cable to loosen and travel insufficiently.
This condition could result in failure of the external life raft to
deploy after a ditching, impeding or preventing the safe evacuation of
helicopter occupants, EASA states. EASA consequently requires
alteration of the life raft deployment control by installing a sheath
kit, which Airbus Helicopters identifies as Modification 365A084711.00
and 365A084711.01.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in
the EASA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all
information
[[Page 12805]]
provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type
designs.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.
AS365-25.01.45 and ASB No. EC155-25A128, both Revision 1, and both
dated February 2, 2015. The service information reports that the
position of the life raft inflation cylinder may slacken the deployment
control cable for new life rafts installed on Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B,
and EC155B1 helicopters. In one instance, travel of the life raft
deployment control could not be adjusted as stated in the maintenance
manual. This anomaly is due to the varying positions of the inflation
cylinder inside the bag that contains the life raft, and the varying
positions of the bag inside the container, related to the installation
and removal of optional equipment, calendar overhauls, life raft
storage, shock impacts, and in-flight vibrations. Airbus Helicopters
consequently developed modification 365A084711.00 and 365A084711.01,
which ensure sufficient travel of the life raft deployment control
cable in all positions of the inflation cylinder by installing an
improved sheath kit on the left hand and right hand deployment
controls.
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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires, before the next flight over water, installing a
sheath kit on the left-hand and right-hand raft deployment controls.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires installing a sheath kit on the left-hand and
right-hand raft deployment controls within 110 hours time-in-service or
before further flight for helicopters required to have life rafts,
whichever occurs later. This AD requires installing a sheath kit on the
left-hand and right-hand raft deployment controls before the next
flight over water.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 23 helicopters of U.S.
Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these
estimates, we expect that installing the sheath kits requires 4 work-
hours and a parts cost of $50 for a total cost of $390 per helicopter
and $8,970 for the U.S. fleet.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment
prior to the adoption of this rule because many of the affected
helicopters are located along major waterways, and the required
corrective actions must be accomplished before the next flight over
water.
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for
prior public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and
contrary to the public interest and that good cause exists to make this
AD effective in less than 30 days.
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.
We are 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
We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
4. 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2016-05-10 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-18428; Docket No. FAA-
2015-4381; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-009-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B,
and EC155B1 helicopters with an external life raft part number
245431-0, 245431-1, 245434-0, or 245434-1 installed, certificated in
any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as an external life raft's
failure to deploy. This condition could prevent the safe evacuation
of helicopter occupants during an emergency landing in water.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective March 28, 2016.
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been
accomplished prior to that time.
(e) Required Actions
Before the next flight over water, install a sheath kit on each
left-hand and right-hand life raft deployment control in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2, of Airbus
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS365-25.01.45,
Revision 1, dated February 2, 2015, or ASB No. EC155-25A128,
Revision 1, dated February 2, 2015, whichever is applicable to your
helicopter.
[[Page 12806]]
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5116;
email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft
complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(g) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0048, dated March 17, 2015. You may view
the EASA AD on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-4381.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: Life Raft, 2564.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS365-
25.01.45, Revision 1, dated February 2, 2015.
(ii) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. EC155-25A128,
Revision 1, dated February 2, 2015.
(3) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in
this final 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.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
(4) You may view this service information at 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 29, 2016.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04981 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
