81 FR 21493 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 70 (April 12, 2016)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS355NP helicopters with certain fire extinguishing systems. This proposed AD would require removing and installing the fire extinguishing system so that each squib on the engine compartment fire extinguisher is controlled by a matching control button. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery that the left-hand discharge system of the fire extinguishing system was incorrectly connected to the right-hand engine compartment and the right-hand discharge system was incorrectly connected to the left-hand engine compartment. The proposed actions would correct the connections and would prevent the fire extinguishing system discharging to the wrong engine compartment, failure of the fire extinguishing system to control a fire, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21493-21495]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08247]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-5807; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-063-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS355NP helicopters with certain fire 
extinguishing systems. This proposed AD would require removing and 
installing the fire extinguishing system so that each squib on the 
engine compartment fire extinguisher is controlled by a matching 
control button. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery that the 
left-hand discharge system of the fire extinguishing system was 
incorrectly connected to the right-hand engine compartment and the 
right-hand discharge system was incorrectly connected to the left-hand 
engine compartment. The proposed actions would correct the connections 
and would prevent the fire extinguishing system discharging to the 
wrong engine compartment, failure of the fire extinguishing system to 
control a fire, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 13, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://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 http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
5807; 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 proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA 
AD), the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office 
(telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this 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 
http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
    You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, 
Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Schwab, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 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.

[[Page 21494]]

    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, issued EASA Emergency AD No. 2011-0192-E, dated October 
4, 2011, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter (now Airbus 
Helicopters) Model AS355NP helicopters equipped with an Arrius 1A1 
engine fire extinguishing system through production modification OP-
3931. EASA advises that during an inspection of the engine fire 
extinguishing system on an AS355NP helicopter, the left hand (LH) fire 
extinguisher discharge system was found connected to the right hand 
(RH) engine compartment and the RH discharge system was connected to 
the LH engine compartment. An investigation showed that this erroneous 
installation was inherent in Eurocopter production modification OP-
3931. According to EASA, this condition, if not detected and corrected, 
could lead to the discharge of the fire extinguisher in the wrong 
engine compartment in the event of a fire. Pending the development of a 
modified extinguishing system, EASA Emergency AD No. 2011-0192-E 
required installing a placard warning the flight crew of the erroneous 
installation until the squibs on each fire extinguisher are exchanged.
    After EASA issued Emergency AD No. 2011-0192-E, Airbus Helicopters 
developed a permanent modification of the discharge system to 
reconfigure the position of the squibs on each fire extinguisher to 
line up with the control buttons. EASA subsequently issued superseding 
EASA AD No. 2015-0181, dated August 31, 2015, to retain the 
requirements of its previous Emergency AD and require the modification 
of the engine fire extinguishing discharge system within 12 months.

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 No. AS355-
26.00.10, Revision 0, dated July 2, 2015 (ASB AS355-26.00.10). ASB 
AS355-26.00.10 provides procedures for removing the fire extinguishing 
system and re-installing it in a configuration where the squibs match 
the positioning of the fire extinguisher discharge heads. ASB AS355-
26.00.10 also specifies removing any previously-affixed placard on the 
instrument panel and installing new discharge system pipes. Helicopters 
with modification 07-3990 installed have already complied with ASB 
AS355-26.00.10.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Service Information

    We also reviewed Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
26.00.09, Revision 0, dated September 15, 2011 (EASB 26.00.09), issued 
prior to the permanent modification developed by Airbus Helicopters. 
EASB 26.00.09 provided procedures for interchanging the squibs on each 
fire extinguisher. Until this was accomplished, EASB 26.00.09 specified 
affixing a label on the instrument panel to make the flight crew aware 
of the crossed connection.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require within 600 hours time-in-service or 
at the next annual inspection, whichever occurs first, removing and 
correctly installing the fire extinguishing system, and removing any 
placards on the instrument panel if installed.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires installing a placard on the instrument panel 
to warn the flight crew of the erroneous installation until the squibs 
on each fire extinguisher are exchanged, and then, within 12 months, 
removing and re-installing the fire extinguishing system to position 
the squibs in line with the control buttons. This proposed AD would not 
require installation of the placards or the temporary exchange of the 
squibs. Also, this proposed AD would require removing and re-installing 
the fire extinguisher system within 600 hours TIS or at the next annual 
inspection, whichever occurs first.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 2 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work hour. We expect 
that removing and installing the fire extinguishing system would 
require 24 work hours and required parts would cost $6,367. Based on 
these estimates, we expect a total cost of $8,407 per helicopter and 
$16,814 for the U.S. fleet.

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

[[Page 21495]]

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-2015-5807; Directorate Identifier 
2015-SW-063-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS355NP helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with an Arrius 1A1 fire extinguishing 
system installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an incorrectly connected 
fire extinguishing discharge system. This condition could result in 
the fire extinguishing system discharging to the wrong engine 
compartment, failure of the fire extinguishing system to contain a 
fire, and loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 13, 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 600 hours time-in-service or at the next annual 
inspection, whichever occurs first, remove and install the fire 
extinguishing system, and remove any placards on the instrument 
panel if installed, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B. and 3.B.1 through 3.B.2, of Airbus 
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS355-26.00.10, Revision 0, 
dated July 2, 2015.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 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

    (1) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 26.00.09, 
Revision 0, dated September 15, 2011, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, 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 http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0181, dated August 31, 2015. You 
may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
in the AD Docket.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2620, 
Extinguishing System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 4, 2016.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08247 Filed 4-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P