[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 108 (Thursday, June 4, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34375-34378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12028]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0462; Product Identifier 2019-SW-021-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C1 and AS332L1 helicopters.
This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the affected helicopters
use the same ``flight/ground'' logic signal instead of independent
redundant signals. This proposed AD would require amending the
emergency procedures of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for your
helicopter, a wiring modification of the ``flight/ground'' logic signal
source of the attitude heading and reference system (AHRS) 1, and then
removal of the amendment to the RFM for your helicopter. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 20,
2020.
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 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus
Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; phone: (972)
641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax: (972) 641-3775; or at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may
view this service information at the 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0462; 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 NPRM, the European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union
Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Schwab, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
[[Page 34376]]
76177; phone: 817-222-5110; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites 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-2020-0462;
Product Identifier 2019-SW-021-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0021, dated February 1, 2019;
corrected February 4, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0021) (referred to after this
as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information or ``the MCAI''),
to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Helicopters Model
AS332C1 and AS332L1 helicopters. EASA advises that the AHRS 1 and AHRS
2 installed on AS332C1e and AS332L1e helicopters use the same `flight/
ground' logic signal, instead of independent redundant signals, as
required by the original design specification. If both AHRS incorrectly
receive ``ground'' status in flight, as a result for instance of a
single failure, this will generate consistent erroneous computation of
the attitudes and vertical speed during helicopter maneuvers with
consequent incorrect flight data indications to the flight crew on both
primary displays. EASA AD 2019-0021 states that this condition, if not
corrected, could lead to increased workload for the flight crew when
the upper modes of the automatic flight control system are not engaged,
possibly resulting in reduced control of the helicopter during high
speed maneuvers in instrumental meteorological conditions (IMC).
EASA further advises that Airbus Helicopters has issued rush
revisions to the RFM, and developed a modification of the wiring
harness, ensuring independent sources of the ``flight/ground'' logic
signal for both AHRS. EASA AD 2019-0021 requires amending the emergency
procedures of the applicable RFM, doing the modification of the wiring
harness, and then removing the amendment to the RFM.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2020-0462.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-
34.00.60, Revision 1, dated March 29, 2019. This service information
describes procedures for a wiring modification of the ``flight/ground''
logic signal source of the AHRS 1, which changes the ``flight/ground''
logic signal source to independent redundant signals.
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
Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-
34.00.60, Revision 0, dated December 6, 2018. The service information
describes procedures for a wiring modification of the ``flight/ground''
logic signal source of the AHRS 1, which changes the ``flight/ground''
logic signal source to independent redundant signals. Airbus Service
Bulletin No. AS332-34.00.60, Revision 1, dated March 29, 2019,
clarifies the procedures for the post-installation test in Alert
Service Bulletin No. AS332-34.00.60, Revision 0, dated December 6,
2018.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to a bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, the FAA
has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD
after evaluating all the relevant information and determining the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on
other products of these same type designs.
Proposed Requirements of This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously, except as discussed
under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information.''
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information
EASA AD 2019-0021 specifies to do the modification within 6 months.
This proposed AD would require the modification be done within 100
hours time-in-service or before intentional flight into IMC, whichever
occurs first. The FAA has determined this compliance time represents
the maximum interval of time allowable for the affected helicopters to
continue to safely operate before the modification is done.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 8 helicopters of
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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7 work-hours x $85 per hour = $595........................... $40 $635 $5,080
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of
[[Page 34377]]
that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely
to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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-2020-0462; Product Identifier
2019-SW-021-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by July 20, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C1 and AS332L1
helicopters, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial
numbers, equipped with an Advanced Helicopter Cockpit & Avionics
System (AHCAS), except helicopters that have Airbus Helicopters
modification 0728576 embodied in production.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 3420, Attitude and
direction data system.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that the affected helicopters
use the same ``flight/ground'' logic signal, instead of independent
redundant signals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address certain
helicopters that use the same ``flight/ground'' logic signal,
instead of independent redundant signals. If both attitude heading
and reference systems (AHRS) incorrectly receive ``ground'' status
in flight, as a result for instance of a single failure, this will
generate consistent erroneous computation of the attitudes and
vertical speed during helicopter maneuvers with consequent incorrect
flight data indications to the flight crew on both primary displays.
Erroneous flight information could lead to increased workload for
the flight crew when the upper modes of the automatic flight control
system are not engaged, possibly resulting in reduced control of the
helicopter during high speed maneuvers in instrumental
meteorological conditions (IMC).
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Amend
the emergency procedures of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for
your helicopter by inserting the supplemental text specified in
Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, immediately following
paragraph 9 GROUND/FLIGHT LOGIC FAULT.
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(2) Within 100 hours time-in-service or before intentional
flight into IMC, whichever occurs first after the effective date of
this AD, do the wiring modification of the ``flight/ground'' logic
signal source of the AHRS 1 in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-
34.00.60, Revision 1, dated March 29, 2019. After completion of the
wiring modification, the RFM amendment required by paragraph (g)(1)
of this AD must be removed from the RFM for your helicopter.
(h) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the
helicopter can be modified (if the operator elects to do so),
provided the helicopter is operated under visual flight rules only.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Airbus Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin No. AS332-34.00.60, Revision 0, dated December 6, 2018.
(j) 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; phone: 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, 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD
2019-0021, dated February 1, 2019; corrected February 4, 2019. This
EASA AD may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2020-0462.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052;
phone: (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax: (972) 641-3775; or at
https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html.
You may view this service information at the 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.
Issued on May 29, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-12028 Filed 6-3-20; 8:45 am]
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