Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, 21964-21966 [2018-09982]
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21964
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 92 / Friday, May 11, 2018 / Proposed Rules
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2018–0418; Product
Identifier 2017–SW–016–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus
Helicopters Model AS–365N2 and AS
365 N3 helicopters with a lower strobe
light installed. This proposed AD would
require installing a cable mount,
inspecting the lower strobe light wiring
harness, and re-routing the wiring
harness. This proposed AD is prompted
by reports of interference between the
lower strobe light wiring harness and
the helicopter structure. The actions of
this proposed AD are intended to
prevent an unsafe condition on these
helicopters.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by July 10, 2018.
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.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
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–2018–
0418; 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 (telephone 800–647–
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:56 May 10, 2018
Jkt 244001
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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/
en/ref/Technical-Support_73.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:
George Schwab, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email
george.schwab@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
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 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.
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 proposed rulemaking.
Before acting on this proposal, we will
consider all comments we receive on or
before the closing date for comments.
We will consider comments filed after
the comment period has closed if it is
possible to do so without incurring
expense or delay. We may change this
proposal in light of the comments we
receive.
tank support. EASA further states that
an investigation determined that the
electrical harnesses of these lower
strobe lights were manufactured with
additional length to facilitate removal
and installation of the lower strobe light
assembly. However, the additional
length of wiring in the harness was not
properly secured to the helicopter
structure. According to EASA, this
could result in chafing of the harness on
the helicopter structure, creating an
ignition source adjacent to the inboard
fuel tank vapor space, and result in a
fuel tank fire.
To address this unsafe condition, the
EASA AD requires installing a cable
mount, inspecting the lower strobe light
electrical harness for damage, and rerouting the electrical harness.
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 its
AD. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all known relevant
information and determined that an
unsafe condition is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Discussion
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS365–
05.00.73, Revision 1, dated December
12, 2016 (ASB AS365–05.00.73), which
specifies procedures for inspecting the
lower strobe light electrical harness for
interference and chafing with the
helicopter structure and also specifies
procedures for installing a cable mount
to secure the electrical harness. These
procedures correspond to Airbus
Helicopters modification (MOD)
365P084778.00.
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.
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2016–
0258, dated December 16, 2016, to
correct an unsafe condition for Airbus
Helicopters Model AS 365 N2 and AS
365 N3 helicopters with certain serial
numbers and configurations. EASA
advises of in-production helicopters
with lower strobe light wiring harnesses
that were interfering with either the
helicopter structure or the adjacent fuel
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require,
within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS),
installing a cable mount on the
helicopter structure and inspecting the
lower strobe light electrical harness and
the electrical harness between the cutoff connector and Frame 2000 for torn
spiral tape and for any chafing on the
harness cables. If the spiral tape is torn,
the proposed AD would require, before
further flight, replacing the spiral tape.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 92 / Friday, May 11, 2018 / Proposed Rules
If there is any chafing on the cable the
proposed AD would require, before
further flight, replacing the harness.
Helicopters in a MOD 365P084778.00
configuration have already
accomplished the actions required by
this proposed AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the EASA AD
The EASA AD limits the applicability
to helicopters with a lower strobe light
installed and with certain serial
numbers or that are in a configuration
based upon a modification, service
information, or engineering drawings.
This proposed AD would apply to all
Model AS 365 N2 and AS 365 N3
helicopters with a lower strobe light
installed.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
would affect 30 helicopters of U.S.
Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur
the following costs in order to comply
with this AD. At an average labor rate
of $85 per work-hour, installing a cable
mount and inspecting the strobe light
wiring harnesses would require about 1
hour, and required parts would cost
about $50, for a cost per helicopter of
$135 and a total cost of $4,050 to all
U.S. operators.
If required, replacing torn spiral tape
would require about 1 work-hour, and
required parts would cost $45, for a cost
per helicopter of $130.
If required, replacing a chafed wiring
harness between the cut-off connector
and Frame 2000 would require about 3
work-hours, and required parts would
cost $90, for a cost per helicopter of
$345.
If required, replacing a chafed lower
strobe light wiring harness would
require about 3 work-hours, and
required parts would cost $154, for a
cost per helicopter of $409
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:56 May 10, 2018
Jkt 244001
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 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. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
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 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.
21965
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as
interference between the lower strobe light
electrical harness wiring and the helicopter
structure. This condition could result in
chafing of an electrical harness adjacent to
the inboard fuel tank vapor space, a fuel tank
fire, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 10,
2018.
(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
Within 50 hours time-in-service:
(1) Install cable mount part number (P/N)
ASMS–A to the helicopter structure as
depicted in Figure 1, Detail A and Detail C,
of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin
No. AS365–05.00.73, Revision 1, dated
December 12, 2016 (ASB AS365–05.00.73).
(2) Inspect the lower strobe light harness
and the harness between the cut-off
connector and Frame 2000 for tears in the
spiral tape and for chafing of the harness
wires. If there is a tear in the spiral tape,
before further flight, replace the spiral tape.
If there is any chafing, before further flight,
replace the chafed harness.
(3) Route the lower strobe light harness and
the harness between the cut-off connector
and Frame 2000 and secure as depicted in
Figure 1, Detail A and Section B–B, of ASB
AS365–05.00.73.
Note 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD: Airbus
Helicopters identifies the actions in ASB
AS365–05.00.73 as Modification
365P084778.00.
The Proposed Amendment
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your
proposal to: George Schwab, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5110; 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.
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):
■
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA–2018–
0418; Product Identifier 2017–SW–016–
AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters
Model AS–365N2 and AS 365 N3
helicopters, certificated in any category, with
a lower strobe light installed.
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
(g) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
No. 2016–0258, dated December 30, 2016.
You may view the EASA AD on the internet
at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD
Docket.
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21966
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 92 / Friday, May 11, 2018 / Proposed Rules
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 3340 Lights.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 1,
2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–09982 Filed 5–10–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2018–0399; Product
Identifier 2018–NM–008–AD]
Examining the AD Docket
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier,
Inc., Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to supersede
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015–17–
04, which applies to certain
Bombardier, Inc., Model CL–600–2C10
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702),
Model CL–600–2D15 (Regional Jet
Series 705), and Model CL–600–2D24
(Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. AD
2015–17–04 requires replacement of left
and right fixed control rods and lever
assemblies of the elevator control
system. Since we issued AD 2015–17–
04, we have received a report indicating
that certain revisions of the service
information were missing instructions.
This proposed AD would require a
detailed visual inspection of the key
washers and self-locking nuts of the
elevator control linkages and corrective
actions if necessary. We are proposing
this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by June 25, 2018.
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 above between 9 a.m. and 5
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:56 May 10, 2018
Jkt 244001
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this NPRM, contact Bombardier, Inc.,
ˆ
400 Cote-Vertu Road West, Dorval,
´
Quebec H4S 1Y9, Canada; Widebody
Customer Response Center North
America toll-free telephone: 1–866–
538–1247 or direct-dial telephone: 1–
514–855–2999; fax: 514–855–7401;
email: ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com;
internet: https://www.bombardier.com.
You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call 206–231–3195.
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–
0399; 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 NPRM, the regulatory
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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Mechanical Systems
Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch,
1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516–
228–7318; fax: 516–794–5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposal. Send your comments to
an address listed under the ADDRESSES
section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
2018–0399; Product Identifier 2018–
NM–008–AD’’ at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Discussion
We issued AD 2015–17–04,
Amendment 39–18237 (80 FR 50556,
August 20, 2015) (‘‘AD 2015–17–04’’),
for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL–
600–2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701,
& 702), Model CL–600–2D15 (Regional
Jet Series 705), and Model CL–600–
2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes.
AD 2015–17–04 requires replacement of
left and right fixed control rods and
lever assemblies of the elevator control
system. AD 2015–17–04 resulted from
reports of a disconnect between the
elevator lever and control rod. We
issued AD 2015–17–04 to prevent a
disconnect between the elevator lever
and control rod, which could lead to
uncommanded elevator movement of
the associated control surface, a large
difference between the position of the
left and the right elevator control
surfaces, and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane and
degradation of the structural integrity of
the horizontal stabilizer.
Actions Since AD 2015–17–04 Was
Issued
Since we issued AD 2015–17–04, we
have received a report indicating that
certain revisions of the service
information were missing instructions
for proper installation of the key
washers part number BA698–93726–3.
Transport Canada Civil Aviation
(TCCA), which is the aviation authority
for Canada, has issued Canadian AD
CF–2014–44R1, dated October 6, 2017
(referred to after this as the Mandatory
Continuing Airworthiness Information,
or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Bombardier, Inc.,
Model CL–600–2C10 (Regional Jet
Series 700, 701, & 702), Model CL–600–
2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and
Model CL–600–2D24 (Regional Jet
Series 900) airplanes. The MCAI states:
During an engineering review of the
Elevator Control system, it was discovered
that a disconnect between the elevator lever
and control rod could lead to an
uncommanded elevator movement of the
associated control surface. This
uncommanded movement may cause a large
difference between the position of the left
and the right elevator control surface
resulting in reduced controllability of the
aeroplane and compromised structural
integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.
This [Canadian] AD mandates the
replacement of the existing elevator lever
assemblies and control rods with newly
designed ones, which will prevent a
disconnect between the components of the
elevator control system should a failure
occur.
Revision 1 of this [Canadian] AD is issued
to require operators, * * * [regardless of
previously accomplished actions], to perform
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 92 (Friday, May 11, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21964-21966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09982]
[[Page 21964]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0418; Product Identifier 2017-SW-016-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2 and AS 365 N3 helicopters with a
lower strobe light installed. This proposed AD would require installing
a cable mount, inspecting the lower strobe light wiring harness, and
re-routing the wiring harness. This proposed AD is prompted by reports
of interference between the lower strobe light wiring harness and the
helicopter structure. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to
prevent an unsafe condition on these helicopters.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 10, 2018.
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-2018-
0418; 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 (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 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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.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: George Schwab, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
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 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.
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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2016-0258, dated December 16,
2016, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model AS
365 N2 and AS 365 N3 helicopters with certain serial numbers and
configurations. EASA advises of in-production helicopters with lower
strobe light wiring harnesses that were interfering with either the
helicopter structure or the adjacent fuel tank support. EASA further
states that an investigation determined that the electrical harnesses
of these lower strobe lights were manufactured with additional length
to facilitate removal and installation of the lower strobe light
assembly. However, the additional length of wiring in the harness was
not properly secured to the helicopter structure. According to EASA,
this could result in chafing of the harness on the helicopter
structure, creating an ignition source adjacent to the inboard fuel
tank vapor space, and result in a fuel tank fire.
To address this unsafe condition, the EASA AD requires installing a
cable mount, inspecting the lower strobe light electrical harness for
damage, and re-routing the electrical harness.
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
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.
AS365-05.00.73, Revision 1, dated December 12, 2016 (ASB AS365-
05.00.73), which specifies procedures for inspecting the lower strobe
light electrical harness for interference and chafing with the
helicopter structure and also specifies procedures for installing a
cable mount to secure the electrical harness. These procedures
correspond to Airbus Helicopters modification (MOD) 365P084778.00.
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, within 50 hours time-in-service
(TIS), installing a cable mount on the helicopter structure and
inspecting the lower strobe light electrical harness and the electrical
harness between the cut-off connector and Frame 2000 for torn spiral
tape and for any chafing on the harness cables. If the spiral tape is
torn, the proposed AD would require, before further flight, replacing
the spiral tape.
[[Page 21965]]
If there is any chafing on the cable the proposed AD would require,
before further flight, replacing the harness.
Helicopters in a MOD 365P084778.00 configuration have already
accomplished the actions required by this proposed AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD limits the applicability to helicopters with a lower
strobe light installed and with certain serial numbers or that are in a
configuration based upon a modification, service information, or
engineering drawings. This proposed AD would apply to all Model AS 365
N2 and AS 365 N3 helicopters with a lower strobe light installed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 30 helicopters of
U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour,
installing a cable mount and inspecting the strobe light wiring
harnesses would require about 1 hour, and required parts would cost
about $50, for a cost per helicopter of $135 and a total cost of $4,050
to all U.S. operators.
If required, replacing torn spiral tape would require about 1 work-
hour, and required parts would cost $45, for a cost per helicopter of
$130.
If required, replacing a chafed wiring harness between the cut-off
connector and Frame 2000 would require about 3 work-hours, and required
parts would cost $90, for a cost per helicopter of $345.
If required, replacing a chafed lower strobe light wiring harness
would require about 3 work-hours, and required parts would cost $154,
for a cost per helicopter of $409
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 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 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
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):
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2018-0418; Product Identifier
2017-SW-016-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2 and AS 365
N3 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a lower strobe
light installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as interference between the
lower strobe light electrical harness wiring and the helicopter
structure. This condition could result in chafing of an electrical
harness adjacent to the inboard fuel tank vapor space, a fuel tank
fire, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 10, 2018.
(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
Within 50 hours time-in-service:
(1) Install cable mount part number (P/N) ASMS-A to the
helicopter structure as depicted in Figure 1, Detail A and Detail C,
of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS365-05.00.73,
Revision 1, dated December 12, 2016 (ASB AS365-05.00.73).
(2) Inspect the lower strobe light harness and the harness
between the cut-off connector and Frame 2000 for tears in the spiral
tape and for chafing of the harness wires. If there is a tear in the
spiral tape, before further flight, replace the spiral tape. If
there is any chafing, before further flight, replace the chafed
harness.
(3) Route the lower strobe light harness and the harness between
the cut-off connector and Frame 2000 and secure as depicted in
Figure 1, Detail A and Section B-B, of ASB AS365-05.00.73.
Note 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD: Airbus Helicopters
identifies the actions in ASB AS365-05.00.73 as Modification
365P084778.00.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to:
George Schwab, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth,
TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
(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. 2016-0258, dated December 30, 2016. You may
view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in
the AD Docket.
[[Page 21966]]
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3340 Lights.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 1, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-09982 Filed 5-10-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
