81_FR_12850 81 FR 12802 - Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Helicopters

81 FR 12802 - Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 48 (March 11, 2016)

Page Range12802-12804
FR Document2016-04982

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MDHI Model 369A (Army OH-6A), 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, and 500N helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the auxiliary fuel pump (fuel pump) wire routing in the left-hand fuel cell and corrective action, if necessary. This AD also requires installing a warning decal on the left-hand fuel cell access cover. This AD was prompted by accidents resulting from incorrectly positioned fuel pump wiring within the fuel tank interfering with the operation of the fuel quantity sensor float, which caused an erroneous fuel quantity indication in the cockpit. The actions are intended to detect and correct routing of the fuel pump wiring to prevent interference with the fuel quantity sensor float, an erroneous fuel quantity indication in the cockpit, and subsequent fuel exhaustion and emergency landing.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12802-12804]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04982]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3658; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-039-AD; 
Amendment 39-18427; AD 2016-05-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
MDHI Model 369A (Army OH-6A), 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 369D, 369E, 
369F, 369FF, and 500N helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the 
auxiliary fuel pump (fuel pump) wire routing in the left-hand fuel cell 
and corrective action, if necessary. This AD also requires installing a 
warning decal on the left-hand fuel cell access cover. This AD was 
prompted by accidents resulting from incorrectly positioned fuel pump 
wiring within the fuel tank interfering with the operation of the fuel 
quantity sensor float, which caused an erroneous fuel quantity 
indication in the cockpit. The actions are intended to detect and 
correct routing of the fuel pump wiring to prevent interference with 
the fuel quantity sensor float, an erroneous fuel quantity indication 
in the cockpit, and subsequent fuel exhaustion and emergency landing.

DATES: This AD is effective April 15, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of April 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For 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 http://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may 
review a copy of 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 available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-3658.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3658; 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, any incorporated-by-reference service information, 
the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, 
M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danny Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 
627-5247; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On September 2, 2015, at 80 FR 53030, the Federal Register 
published our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain MDHI 
Model 369A (Army OH-6A), 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 369D, 369E, 369F, 
369FF, and 500N helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting 
the routing of the fuel pump wiring to determine whether the fuel pump 
wire is properly wrapped around the fuel inlet hose and correcting the 
routing of the wiring if it is not. The NPRM also proposed to require 
installing a decal regarding correct installation of the fuel pump 
wiring. The NPRM was prompted by two accidents and one incident that 
occurred on Model 369D helicopters resulting from an incorrectly 
positioned fuel pump wire within the fuel tank interfering with the 
operation of the fuel quantity sensor float, which caused an erroneous 
fuel quantity reading in the cockpit. Because the fuel pump is 
installed on all the affected model helicopters, we are including them 
in the applicability. According to MDHI, because maintenance personnel 
caused the incorrect wire routing by failing to follow procedures for 
installing the fuel pump, it is also necessary to install a decal on 
the left-hand fuel cell access cover to refer maintenance personnel to 
the appropriate manual procedures. The proposed requirements were 
intended to detect and correct routing of the fuel pump wiring to 
prevent interference with the fuel quantity sensor float, an erroneous 
fuel quantity indication in the cockpit, and subsequent fuel exhaustion 
and emergency landing.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (80 FR 53030, 
September 2, 2015).

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type designs and that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    MD Helicopters issued one service bulletin on April 30, 2014, with 
five different numbers: SB369H-255, SB369E-111, SB500N-049, SB369D-213, 
and SB369F-098. The service bulletin specifies a one-time inspection of 
the routing of the fuel pump wire in the left-hand fuel cell and 
corrective action, if necessary. The service bulletin also specifies 
installing a warning decal on the left-hand fuel cell access cover that 
refers personnel to the procedures for routing the fuel pump wire that 
is contained in the appropriate maintenance manual. The service 
bulletin states that recent field incidents have occurred where 
maintenance personnel have not followed the procedures for installation 
of the fuel pump. Also, the service bulletin states that an incorrectly 
installed fuel pump wire can interfere with the fuel quantity sensor 
float, which can result in erroneous fuel quantity indications. To 
prevent this situation, the service information states that the fuel 
pump wire must be wrapped around the fuel inlet hose as shown in the 
applicable maintenance manual.
    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.

[[Page 12803]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 833 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per 
work-hour. Inspecting the fuel pump wire routing and installing a decal 
will take 3 work-hours, and parts will cost $20 for a total cost of 
$275 per helicopter and $229,075 for the U.S. fleet. If required, 
rerouting the wiring will require 1 work-hour for a total cost of $85 
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.
    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

    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 above, 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):

2016-05-09 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-18427; Docket No. FAA-
2015-3658; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-039-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in 
any category:
    (1) Model 369A (Army OH-6A), 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, and 
369D;
    (2) Model 369E with a serial number (S/N) 0001E through 0620E;
    (3) Model 369F and 369FF with a S/N 0001FF through 0212FF, 
0600FF, 0601FF, 0602FF, and 0700FF through 0711FF and with an 
auxiliary fuel pump part number (P/N) 369A8143-3 installed; and
    (4) Model 500N with a S/N LN001 through LN0111.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as incorrect routing of the 
auxiliary fuel pump (fuel pump) wiring. This condition could result 
in an erroneous fuel quantity indication in the cockpit and 
subsequent fuel exhaustion and emergency landing.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 15, 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

    Within 100 hours time-in-service:
    (1) Remove the fuel quantity sensor by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B., of MD Helicopters 
Service Bulletin SB369H-255, SB369E-111, SB500N-049, SB369D-213, or 
SB369F-098, dated April 30, 2014, as applicable to your model 
helicopter. Using a mirror and light, inspect the routing of the 
fuel pump wire in the area depicted in Figure 2 of MD Helicopters 
Service Bulletin SB369H-255, SB369E-111, SB500N-049, SB369D-213, or 
SB369F-098, dated April 30, 2014, as applicable to your model 
helicopter, and determine whether the fuel pump wire is wrapped 
around the left-hand fuel cell fuel inlet hose assembly a minimum of 
one revolution.
    (i) If the fuel pump wire is wrapped around the left-hand fuel 
cell fuel inlet hose a minimum of one revolution, install the fuel 
quantity sensor and perform a fuel quantity sensor functional test 
for proper fuel float arm function.
    (ii) If the fuel pump wire is not wrapped around the left-hand 
fuel cell fuel inlet hose a minimum of one revolution, install the 
fuel quantity sensor, route the fuel pump wire around the left-hand 
fuel cell fuel inlet hose by following paragraphs 2.E.(1) through 
2.E.(8) of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB369H-255, SB369E-111, 
SB500N-049, SB369D-213, or SB369F-098, dated April 30, 2014 as 
applicable to your model helicopter, and perform a fuel quantity 
sensor functional test for proper fuel float arm function.
    (2) Install start pump warning decal, P/N MHS5861-66 or 
equivalent, on the left-hand fuel cell cover by following paragraph 
2.G. of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB369H-255, SB369E-111, 
SB500N-049, SB369D-213, or SB369F-098, dated April 30, 2014 as 
applicable to your model helicopter.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Danny Nguyen, 
Aerospace Engineer Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-
5247; 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) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2840 Fuel Quantity 
Indicating System.

(h) 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) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB369D-213, dated April 30, 
2014.
    (ii) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB369E-111, dated April 30, 
2014.
    (iii) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB369F-098, dated April 
30, 2014.
    (iv) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB369H-255, dated April 30, 
2014.
    (v) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB500N-049, dated April 30, 
2014.
    Note 1 to paragraph (h)(2): MD Helicopters Service Bulletin 
SB369D-213, SB369E-111, SB369F-098, SB369H-255, and SB500N-

[[Page 12804]]

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 http://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: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.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



                                                  12802               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  (202) 741–6030, or go to: http://                       review a copy of the referenced service               the applicability. According to MDHI,
                                                  www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-              information at the FAA, Office of the                 because maintenance personnel caused
                                                  locations.html.                                         Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,                   the incorrect wire routing by failing to
                                                    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 2,              10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N–321,                     follow procedures for installing the fuel
                                                  2016.                                                   Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also                      pump, it is also necessary to install a
                                                  Scott A. Horn,                                          available on the Internet at http://                  decal on the left-hand fuel cell access
                                                  Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,                 www.regulations.gov by searching for                  cover to refer maintenance personnel to
                                                  Aircraft Certification Service.                         and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–                     the appropriate manual procedures. The
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–05258 Filed 3–10–16; 8:45 am]             3658.                                                 proposed requirements were intended to
                                                  BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                                                                        detect and correct routing of the fuel
                                                                                                          Examining the AD Docket
                                                                                                                                                                pump wiring to prevent interference
                                                                                                             You may examine the AD docket on                   with the fuel quantity sensor float, an
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            the Internet at http://                               erroneous fuel quantity indication in the
                                                                                                          www.regulations.gov by searching for                  cockpit, and subsequent fuel exhaustion
                                                  Federal Aviation Administration                         and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–                     and emergency landing.
                                                                                                          3658; or in person at the Docket
                                                  14 CFR Part 39                                          Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5                Comments
                                                  [Docket No. FAA–2015–3658; Directorate                  p.m., Monday through Friday, except                     We gave the public the opportunity to
                                                  Identifier 2014–SW–039–AD; Amendment                    Federal holidays. The AD docket                       participate in developing this AD, but
                                                  39–18427; AD 2016–05–09]                                contains this AD, any incorporated-by-                we did not receive any comments on the
                                                                                                          reference service information, the                    NPRM (80 FR 53030, September 2,
                                                  RIN 2120–AA64                                           economic evaluation, any comments                     2015).
                                                  Airworthiness Directives; MD                            received, and other information. The
                                                                                                          street address for the Docket Operations              FAA’s Determination
                                                  Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Helicopters
                                                                                                          Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is U.S.                    We have reviewed the relevant
                                                  AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                               Department of Transportation, Docket                  information and determined that an
                                                  Administration (FAA), DOT.                              Operations Office, M–30, West Building                unsafe condition exists and is likely to
                                                  ACTION: Final rule.                                     Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200                      exist or develop on other products of the
                                                                                                          New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,                    same type designs and that air safety
                                                  SUMMARY:   We are adopting a new                        DC 20590.                                             and the public interest require adopting
                                                  airworthiness directive (AD) for certain                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      the AD requirements as proposed.
                                                  MDHI Model 369A (Army OH–6A),                           Danny Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Los
                                                  369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 369D,                                                                              Related Service Information Under 1
                                                                                                          Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
                                                  369E, 369F, 369FF, and 500N                                                                                   CFR Part 51
                                                                                                          Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
                                                  helicopters. This AD requires inspecting                3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood,                         MD Helicopters issued one service
                                                  the auxiliary fuel pump (fuel pump)                     California 90712; telephone (562) 627–                bulletin on April 30, 2014, with five
                                                  wire routing in the left-hand fuel cell                 5247; email danny.nguyen@faa.gov.                     different numbers: SB369H–255,
                                                  and corrective action, if necessary. This                                                                     SB369E–111, SB500N–049, SB369D–
                                                                                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  AD also requires installing a warning                                                                         213, and SB369F–098. The service
                                                  decal on the left-hand fuel cell access                 Discussion                                            bulletin specifies a one-time inspection
                                                  cover. This AD was prompted by                             On September 2, 2015, at 80 FR                     of the routing of the fuel pump wire in
                                                  accidents resulting from incorrectly                    53030, the Federal Register published                 the left-hand fuel cell and corrective
                                                  positioned fuel pump wiring within the                  our notice of proposed rulemaking                     action, if necessary. The service bulletin
                                                  fuel tank interfering with the operation                (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14                    also specifies installing a warning decal
                                                  of the fuel quantity sensor float, which                CFR part 39 by adding an AD that                      on the left-hand fuel cell access cover
                                                  caused an erroneous fuel quantity                       would apply to certain MDHI Model                     that refers personnel to the procedures
                                                  indication in the cockpit. The actions                  369A (Army OH–6A), 369H, 369HE,                       for routing the fuel pump wire that is
                                                  are intended to detect and correct                      369HM, 369HS, 369D, 369E, 369F,                       contained in the appropriate
                                                  routing of the fuel pump wiring to                      369FF, and 500N helicopters. The                      maintenance manual. The service
                                                  prevent interference with the fuel                      NPRM proposed to require inspecting                   bulletin states that recent field incidents
                                                  quantity sensor float, an erroneous fuel                the routing of the fuel pump wiring to                have occurred where maintenance
                                                  quantity indication in the cockpit, and                 determine whether the fuel pump wire                  personnel have not followed the
                                                  subsequent fuel exhaustion and                          is properly wrapped around the fuel                   procedures for installation of the fuel
                                                  emergency landing.                                      inlet hose and correcting the routing of              pump. Also, the service bulletin states
                                                  DATES: This AD is effective April 15,                   the wiring if it is not. The NPRM also                that an incorrectly installed fuel pump
                                                  2016.                                                   proposed to require installing a decal                wire can interfere with the fuel quantity
                                                    The Director of the Federal Register                  regarding correct installation of the fuel            sensor float, which can result in
                                                  approved the incorporation by reference                 pump wiring. The NPRM was prompted                    erroneous fuel quantity indications. To
                                                  of certain documents listed in this AD                  by two accidents and one incident that                prevent this situation, the service
                                                  as of April 15, 2016.                                   occurred on Model 369D helicopters                    information states that the fuel pump
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                  ADDRESSES: For service information                      resulting from an incorrectly positioned              wire must be wrapped around the fuel
                                                  identified in this final rule, contact MD               fuel pump wire within the fuel tank                   inlet hose as shown in the applicable
                                                  Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer                       interfering with the operation of the fuel            maintenance manual.
                                                  Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell                      quantity sensor float, which caused an                  This service information is reasonably
                                                  Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215–                    erroneous fuel quantity reading in the                available because the interested parties
                                                  9734; telephone 1–800–388–3378; fax                     cockpit. Because the fuel pump is                     have access to it through their normal
                                                  480–346–6813; or at http://                             installed on all the affected model                   course of business or by the means
                                                  www.mdhelicopters.com. You may                          helicopters, we are including them in                 identified in the ADDRESSES section.


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:58 Mar 10, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00008   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\11MRR1.SGM   11MRR1


                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                            12803

                                                  Costs of Compliance                                     List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39                    determine whether the fuel pump wire is
                                                                                                                                                                wrapped around the left-hand fuel cell fuel
                                                     We estimate that this AD will affect                   Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation              inlet hose assembly a minimum of one
                                                  833 helicopters of U.S. Registry. We                    safety, Incorporation by reference,                   revolution.
                                                  estimate that operators may incur the                   Safety.                                                 (i) If the fuel pump wire is wrapped around
                                                  following costs in order to comply with                 Adoption of the Amendment                             the left-hand fuel cell fuel inlet hose a
                                                  this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85                                                                     minimum of one revolution, install the fuel
                                                  per work-hour. Inspecting the fuel                        Accordingly, under the authority                    quantity sensor and perform a fuel quantity
                                                  pump wire routing and installing a                      delegated to me by the Administrator,                 sensor functional test for proper fuel float
                                                  decal will take 3 work-hours, and parts                 the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as                      arm function.
                                                                                                          follows:                                                (ii) If the fuel pump wire is not wrapped
                                                  will cost $20 for a total cost of $275 per
                                                                                                                                                                around the left-hand fuel cell fuel inlet hose
                                                  helicopter and $229,075 for the U.S.                                                                          a minimum of one revolution, install the fuel
                                                                                                          PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
                                                  fleet. If required, rerouting the wiring                                                                      quantity sensor, route the fuel pump wire
                                                                                                          DIRECTIVES
                                                  will require 1 work-hour for a total cost                                                                     around the left-hand fuel cell fuel inlet hose
                                                  of $85 per helicopter.                                  ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39               by following paragraphs 2.E.(1) through
                                                                                                          continues to read as follows:                         2.E.(8) of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin
                                                  Authority for This Rulemaking                                                                                 SB369H–255, SB369E–111, SB500N–049,
                                                     Title 49 of the United States Code                       Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.        SB369D–213, or SB369F–098, dated April 30,
                                                  specifies the FAA’s authority to issue                                                                        2014 as applicable to your model helicopter,
                                                                                                          § 39.13   [Amended]
                                                  rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,                                                                         and perform a fuel quantity sensor functional
                                                                                                          ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding                 test for proper fuel float arm function.
                                                  section 106, describes the authority of
                                                                                                          the following new airworthiness                         (2) Install start pump warning decal, P/N
                                                  the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII:                                                                          MHS5861–66 or equivalent, on the left-hand
                                                                                                          directive (AD):
                                                  Aviation Programs, describes in more                                                                          fuel cell cover by following paragraph 2.G. of
                                                  detail the scope of the Agency’s                        2016–05–09 MD Helicopters, Inc.:                      MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB369H–
                                                  authority.                                                  Amendment 39–18427; Docket No.                    255, SB369E–111, SB500N–049, SB369D–
                                                     We are issuing this rulemaking under                     FAA–2015–3658; Directorate Identifier             213, or SB369F–098, dated April 30, 2014 as
                                                                                                              2014–SW–039–AD.                                   applicable to your model helicopter.
                                                  the authority described in Subtitle VII,
                                                  Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:                     (a) Applicability                                     (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
                                                  ‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that                      This AD applies to the following                    (AMOCs)
                                                  section, Congress charges the FAA with                  helicopters, certificated in any category:
                                                                                                                                                                   (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft
                                                  promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in                (1) Model 369A (Army OH–6A), 369H,
                                                                                                                                                                Certification Office, FAA, may approve
                                                  air commerce by prescribing regulations                 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, and 369D;
                                                                                                                                                                AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to:
                                                  for practices, methods, and procedures                    (2) Model 369E with a serial number (S/N)
                                                                                                                                                                Danny Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer
                                                                                                          0001E through 0620E;
                                                  the Administrator finds necessary for                     (3) Model 369F and 369FF with a S/N
                                                                                                                                                                Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960
                                                  safety in air commerce. This regulation                                                                       Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California
                                                                                                          0001FF through 0212FF, 0600FF, 0601FF,
                                                  is within the scope of that authority                                                                         90712; telephone (562) 627–5247; email 9-
                                                                                                          0602FF, and 0700FF through 0711FF and
                                                  because it addresses an unsafe condition                                                                      ANM-LAACO-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
                                                                                                          with an auxiliary fuel pump part number (P/
                                                                                                                                                                   (2) For operations conducted under a 14
                                                  that is likely to exist or develop on                   N) 369A8143–3 installed; and
                                                                                                            (4) Model 500N with a S/N LN001 through             CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
                                                  products identified in this rulemaking                                                                        14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that
                                                  action.                                                 LN0111.
                                                                                                                                                                you notify your principal inspector, or
                                                  Regulatory Findings                                     (b) Unsafe Condition                                  lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
                                                                                                             This AD defines the unsafe condition as            the local flight standards district office or
                                                    This AD will not have federalism                      incorrect routing of the auxiliary fuel pump          certificate holding district office before
                                                  implications under Executive Order                      (fuel pump) wiring. This condition could              operating any aircraft complying with this
                                                  13132. This AD will not have a                          result in an erroneous fuel quantity                  AD through an AMOC.
                                                  substantial direct effect on the States, on             indication in the cockpit and subsequent fuel         (g) Subject
                                                  the relationship between the national                   exhaustion and emergency landing.
                                                                                                                                                                   Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
                                                  government and the States, or on the                    (c) Effective Date                                    Code: 2840 Fuel Quantity Indicating System.
                                                  distribution of power and
                                                                                                             This AD becomes effective April 15, 2016.          (h) Material Incorporated by Reference
                                                  responsibilities among the various
                                                  levels of government.                                   (d) Compliance                                          (1) The Director of the Federal Register
                                                    For the reasons discussed above, I                      You are responsible for performing each             approved the incorporation by reference of
                                                  certify that this AD:                                   action required by this AD within the                 the service information listed in this
                                                    (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory                 specified compliance time unless it has               paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
                                                                                                          already been accomplished prior to that time.         part 51.
                                                  action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
                                                                                                                                                                  (2) You must use this service information
                                                    (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under               (e) Required Actions                                  as applicable to do the actions required by
                                                  DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures                     Within 100 hours time-in-service:                  this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
                                                  (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);                          (1) Remove the fuel quantity sensor by               (i) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin
                                                    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation               following the Accomplishment Instructions,            SB369D–213, dated April 30, 2014.
                                                  in Alaska to the extent that it justifies               paragraph 2.B., of MD Helicopters Service               (ii) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin
                                                  making a regulatory distinction; and                    Bulletin SB369H–255, SB369E–111,                      SB369E–111, dated April 30, 2014.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                    (4) Will not have a significant                       SB500N–049, SB369D–213, or SB369F–098,                  (iii) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin
                                                  economic impact, positive or negative,                  dated April 30, 2014, as applicable to your           SB369F–098, dated April 30, 2014.
                                                                                                          model helicopter. Using a mirror and light,             (iv) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin
                                                  on a substantial number of small entities
                                                                                                          inspect the routing of the fuel pump wire in          SB369H–255, dated April 30, 2014.
                                                  under the criteria of the Regulatory                    the area depicted in Figure 2 of MD                     (v) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin
                                                  Flexibility Act.                                        Helicopters Service Bulletin SB369H–255,              SB500N–049, dated April 30, 2014.
                                                    We prepared an economic evaluation                    SB369E–111, SB500N–049, SB369D–213, or                  Note 1 to paragraph (h)(2): MD Helicopters
                                                  of the estimated costs to comply with                   SB369F–098, dated April 30, 2014, as                  Service Bulletin SB369D–213, SB369E–111,
                                                  this AD and placed it in the AD docket.                 applicable to your model helicopter, and              SB369F–098, SB369H–255, and SB500N–



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:58 Mar 10, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00009   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\11MRR1.SGM   11MRR1


                                                  12804               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  049, dated April 30, 2014, are co-published             of certain documents listed in this AD                we did not provide you with notice and
                                                  as one document.                                        as of March 28, 2016.                                 an opportunity to provide your
                                                     (3) For MD Helicopters service information             We must receive comments on this                    comments prior to it becoming effective.
                                                  identified in this final rule, contact MD
                                                                                                          AD by May 10, 2016.                                   However, we invite you to participate in
                                                  Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support
                                                  Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop               ADDRESSES: You may send comments by                   this rulemaking by submitting written
                                                  M615, Mesa, AZ 85215–9734; telephone 1–                 any of the following methods:                         comments, data, or views. We also
                                                  800–388–3378; fax 480–346–6813; or at                     • Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to                 invite comments relating to the
                                                  http://www.mdhelicopters.com.                           http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the                economic, environmental, energy, or
                                                     (4) You may view this service information            online instructions for sending your                  federalism impacts that resulted from
                                                  at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,                                                                       adopting this AD. The most helpful
                                                  Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy,
                                                                                                          comments electronically.
                                                  Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For                    • Fax: 202–493–2251.                                comments reference a specific portion of
                                                  information on the availability of this                   • Mail: Send comments to the U.S.                   the AD, explain the reason for any
                                                  material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.               Department of Transportation, Docket                  recommended change, and include
                                                     (5) You may view this service information            Operations, M–30, West Building                       supporting data. To ensure the docket
                                                  that is incorporated by reference at the                Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200                      does not contain duplicate comments,
                                                  National Archives and Records                           New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,                    commenters should send only one copy
                                                  Administration (NARA). For information on               DC 20590–0001.                                        of written comments, or if comments are
                                                  the availability of this material at NARA, call                                                               filed electronically, commenters should
                                                  (202) 741–6030, or go to: http://
                                                                                                            • Hand Delivery: Deliver to the
                                                                                                          ‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5                 submit them only one time. We will file
                                                  www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-
                                                                                                          p.m., Monday through Friday, except                   in the docket all comments that we
                                                  locations.html.
                                                                                                          Federal holidays.                                     receive, as well as a report summarizing
                                                    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 1,                                                                    each substantive public contact with
                                                  2016.                                                   Examining the AD Docket                               FAA personnel concerning this
                                                  Scott A. Horn,                                                                                                rulemaking during the comment period.
                                                                                                             You may examine the AD docket on
                                                  Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,                 the Internet at http://                               We will consider all the comments we
                                                  Aircraft Certification Service.                                                                               receive and may conduct additional
                                                                                                          www.regulations.gov by searching for
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–04982 Filed 3–10–16; 8:45 am]                                                                   rulemaking based on those comments.
                                                                                                          and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
                                                  BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  4381; or in person at the Docket                      Discussion
                                                                                                          Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
                                                                                                          p.m., Monday through Friday, except                      EASA, which is the Technical Agent
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                                                                                  for the Member States of the European
                                                                                                          Federal holidays. The AD docket
                                                                                                          contains this AD, the European Aviation               Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2015–
                                                  Federal Aviation Administration                                                                               0048, dated March 17, 2015, to correct
                                                                                                          Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any
                                                                                                                                                                an unsafe condition for Airbus
                                                  14 CFR Part 39                                          incorporated by reference service
                                                                                                                                                                Helicopters Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B,
                                                                                                          information, the economic evaluation,
                                                  [Docket No. FAA–2015–4381; Directorate                                                                        and EC155B1 helicopters. EASA advises
                                                                                                          any comments received, and other
                                                  Identifier 2015–SW–009–AD;Amendment                                                                           that after installation of a new life raft
                                                                                                          information. The street address for the
                                                  39–18428; AD 2016–05–10]                                                                                      on a helicopter, the travel of the life raft
                                                                                                          Docket Operations Office (telephone
                                                                                                                                                                deployment control could not be
                                                  RIN 2120–AA64                                           800–647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES
                                                                                                                                                                properly adjusted, putting at risk proper
                                                                                                          section. Comments will be available in
                                                  Airworthiness Directives; Airbus                                                                              life raft inflation. According to a
                                                                                                          the AD docket shortly after receipt.
                                                  Helicopters                                                                                                   technical analysis, the varying positions
                                                                                                             For service information identified in
                                                                                                                                                                of the life raft inflation cylinder inside
                                                  AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                               this final rule, contact Airbus
                                                                                                                                                                the bag containing the life raft, as well
                                                  Administration (FAA), Department of                     Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive,
                                                                                                                                                                as the varying positions of the bag
                                                  Transportation (DOT).                                   Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone
                                                                                                                                                                within the life raft container, may cause
                                                  ACTION: Final rule; request for
                                                                                                          (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax
                                                                                                                                                                the life raft deployment control cable to
                                                  comments.                                               (972) 641–3775; or at http://
                                                                                                                                                                loosen and travel insufficiently.
                                                                                                          www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
                                                                                                                                                                   This condition could result in failure
                                                  SUMMARY:   We are adopting a new                        You may review the referenced service
                                                                                                                                                                of the external life raft to deploy after a
                                                  airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus                 information at the FAA, Office of the
                                                                                                                                                                ditching, impeding or preventing the
                                                  Helicopters Model AS 365 N3, EC 155B,                   Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
                                                                                                                                                                safe evacuation of helicopter occupants,
                                                  and EC155B1 helicopters with certain                    10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N–321,
                                                                                                                                                                EASA states. EASA consequently
                                                  external life rafts. This AD requires                   Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also on the
                                                                                                                                                                requires alteration of the life raft
                                                  installing a sheath kit on the left-hand                Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
                                                                                                                                                                deployment control by installing a
                                                  and right-hand raft deployment control                  by searching for and locating Docket No.
                                                                                                                                                                sheath kit, which Airbus Helicopters
                                                  systems. This AD is prompted by a                       FAA–2015–4381.
                                                                                                                                                                identifies as Modification
                                                  report that the life raft deployment                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      365A084711.00 and 365A084711.01.
                                                  control could not be adjusted due to                    David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
                                                  problems with the life raft deployment                  Engineer, Safety Management Group,                    FAA’s Determination
                                                  linkage. This unsafe condition, if not                  Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101                      These helicopters have been approved
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                  corrected, could result in failure of the               Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177;                  by the aviation authority of France and
                                                  external life raft to deploy and prevent                telephone (817) 222–5116; email                       are approved for operation in the United
                                                  evacuation of passengers during an                      david.hatfield@faa.gov.                               States. Pursuant to our bilateral
                                                  emergency.                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            agreement with France, EASA, its
                                                  DATES: This AD becomes effective                                                                              technical representative, has notified us
                                                                                                          Comments Invited                                      of the unsafe condition described in the
                                                  March 28, 2016.
                                                     The Director of the Federal Register                   This AD is a final rule that involves               EASA AD. We are issuing this AD
                                                  approved the incorporation by reference                 requirements affecting flight safety, and             because we evaluated all information


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:58 Mar 10, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00010   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\11MRR1.SGM   11MRR1



Document Created: 2016-03-11 01:51:46
Document Modified: 2016-03-11 01:51:46
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis AD is effective April 15, 2016.
ContactDanny Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5247; email [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 12802 
RIN Number2120-AA64
CFR AssociatedAir Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR