[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66015-66016]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27419]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0805]

National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting.

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SUMMARY: The National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee and its
Subcommittee will hold a public meeting in Katy, TX to discuss the
safety of operations and other matters affecting the offshore oil and
gas industry. These meetings are open to the public.

DATES: Subcommittees of the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee
will meet on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the
full Committee will meet on Thursday, November 19, 2015, from 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. (All times are Central Standard Time). These meetings may
end early if the Committee has completed its business, or they may be
extended based on the number of public comments.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Det Norske Veritas GL
conference facility located at 1400 Ravello Drive, Katy, TX 77449.
    For information on facilities or services for individuals with
disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meetings, contact
the individuals listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, as
soon as possible.
    To facilitate public participation, we are inviting public comment
on the issues to be considered by the Committee as listed in the
``Agenda'' section below. Written comments may be submitted using the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If your
material cannot be submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact
the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
document for alternate instructions.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the words
``Department of

Homeland Security'' and the docket number for this action. Comments
received will be posted without alteration at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. You
may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal Docket Management
System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal Register (70 FR
15086).
    Docket: For access to the docket to read documents or comments
related to this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov, insert USCG-
2015-0805 in the Search box, press Enter, and then click on the item
you wish to view.
    A public oral comment period will be held during the meeting on
November 19, 2015, and speakers are requested to limit their comments
to 3 minutes. Contact one of the individuals listed below to register
as a speaker.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander Jose Perez, Designated
Federal Officer of the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee,
Commandant (CG-OES-2), U.S. Coast Guard, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.
Avenue SE. Stop 7509, Washington, DC 20593-7509; telephone (202) 372-
1410, fax<PHONE_NUMBER> or email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or Mr. Pat
Clark, telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>, fax<PHONE_NUMBER> or email
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is given under the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, Title 5 United States Code, Appendix.
The National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee provides advice and
recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security on matters and
actions concerning activities directly involved with or in support of
the exploration of offshore mineral and energy resources insofar as
they relate to matters within U.S. Coast Guard jurisdiction.
    A copy of all meeting documentation will be available at https://homeport.uscg.mil/nosac no later than November 1, 2015. Alternatively,
you may contact Mr. Pat Clark as noted in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section above.

Agenda

Day 1

    The National Offshore Safety Advisory Subcommittee on Cyber
Security on the Outer Continental Shelf will meet on November 18, 2015
from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to review, discuss and formulate recommendations.
Following this Subcommittee meeting, the Lifeboat Safety Subcommittee
will meet from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and then the Towing of Mobile Offshore
Drilling Unit Subcommittee will meet from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Day 2

    The National Offshore Safety Advisory full Committee will hold a
public meeting on November 19, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to
review and discuss the progress of the Subcommittees and any reports
and recommendations received from the above listed Subcommittees from
their deliberations on November 18, 2015. The Committee will then use
this information and consider public comments in formulating
recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard. Public comments or questions
will be taken at the discretion of the Designated Federal Officer
during the discussion and recommendation portions of the meeting as
well as during the public comment period, see Agenda item (4).
    A complete agenda for November 19, 2015 Committee meeting is as
follows:
    (1) General Administration, acceptance of minutes from the April
2015 NOSAC public meeting.
    (2) Current Business--Presentation and discussion of Subcommittee
updates and any final reports to include recommendations from the
Subcommittees on Cyber Security, Lifeboat Safety, and Towing of Mobil
Offshore Drilling Units.
    (3) New Business--Introduction of new Task Statements by the Coast
Guard:
    a) Offshore Well Intervention Operations.
    (4) Presentations and discussions on the following matters:
    (a) Marine Well Containment;
    (b) The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement's Risk Based
Inspection Program;
    (5) Public comment period.
    The agenda, any draft final reports, new task statements and
presentations will be available approximately 7 days prior to the
meeting at the https://homeport.uscg.mil/nosac Web site or by
contacting Mr. Pat Clark in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Minutes

    Meeting minutes from this public meeting will be available for
public view and copying within 90 days following the close of the
meeting at the https://homeport.uscg.mil/nosac Web site.

    Dated: October 13, 2015.
J.G. Lantz,
Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards.
[FR Doc. 2015-27419 Filed 10-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 153 (Friday, August 7, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47925-47928]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17271]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1036; Product Identifier 2018-SW-015-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 Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-365N, SA-365N1
helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing the main gearbox
(MGB), or as an alternative, replacing the epicyclic reduction gear
module for certain serial numbered planet gear assemblies installed on
the MGB. This proposed AD would also require inspecting the MGB
magnetic plugs and oil filter for particles. Depending on the outcome
of the inspections, this proposed AD would require further inspections,
and replacing certain parts. This proposed AD is prompted by the
failure of an MGB second stage planet gear. The actions of this
proposed AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these
helicopters.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by September
21, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1036; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (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 service information identified in this proposed rule, contact
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052;
telephone<PHONE_NUMBER> or<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>; or at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may
view 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort
Worth, TX 76177; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views. 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.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will file in the docket all comments received, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments received on or before the
closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after
the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments received.

Confidential Business Information

    Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually
treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it
is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI.
Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.''
The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the
FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM.
Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Rao Edupuganti, Aviation
Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; email
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2017-0116, Revision 2, dated
March 2, 2018, (EASA AD 2017-01162R2) to correct an unsafe condition
for Airbus Helicopters Model AS 365 N2, AS 365 N3, SA 365 N, and SA 365
N1 helicopters. EASA advises that after an accident on a Model EC225
helicopter, an investigation revealed the failure of a second stage
planet gear of the MGB. EASA states that one of the two types of planet
gear assemblies used in the MGB epicyclic module is subject to higher
outer race contact pressures and therefore is more susceptible to
spalling and cracking. Airbus Helicopters reviewed its range of
helicopters with regard to this issue and provided instructions to
improve the reliability of the installed MGB. Therefore, EASA AD 2017-
01162R2 requires repetitive inspections of the MGB magnetic plugs and
corrective action if any particles are detected. EASA AD 2017-01162R2
also requires, if certain MGB planet gear assemblies are installed,
replacing the planet gear assemblies. Finally, the EASA AD prohibits
installing an MGB with a Type X or Type Y planet gear assembly on any
helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA of the
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that an
unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other products of the
same type designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. AS365-05.00.78, Revision 3, dated March 2, 2018, for Model SA-365N,
SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. This service information
specifies performing periodic inspections of the MGB magnetic plugs for
particles. This service information also specifies identifying the type
of gear assembly installed in the MGB and replacing any Type X assembly
within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS). For Type Y gear assemblies, the
service information requires replacing the assembly within 50 hours TIS
or within 300 hours TIS, depending on the time since new. The service
information specifies Type Z gear assemblies should be left as is.
    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin No.
AS365-63.00.21, Revision 3, dated July 26, 2018 for Model AS365
helicopters. This service information contains procedures for replacing
the MGB epicyclic reduction gear as an option to replacing the MGB.
    This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require before further flight, for
helicopters with a Type X planet gear assembly with a certain S/N
installed, replacing the MGB. This proposed AD would require, for
helicopters with no Type X planet gear assembly installed but at least
one Type Y planet gear assembly with a certain S/N installed, replacing
the MGB within 300 hours TIS or before any planet gear assembly
accumulates 1,300 hours TIS since new, whichever occurs first. As an
alternative to replacing the MGB, this proposed AD would allow
replacing the epicyclic reduction gear module in the affected MGB.
    This proposed AD would prohibit installing a MGB with Type Y or
Type X planet gear assembly installed on any helicopter.
    This proposed AD also would require within 10 hours TIS and
thereafter before the first flight of the day or at intervals not to
exceed 10 hours TIS, whichever occurs first, inspecting the lower MGB
magnetic plugs for particles. If there are particles, the proposed AD
would require replacing the MGB, depending on the type and the size of
particles.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires a 50-hour or 300-hour TIS compliance time or
by June 30, 2019, whichever occurs first, to determine the type of
planet gear installed in the MGB, and depending on the outcome, to
replace the MGB. This proposed AD would set compliance deadlines based
only on hours TIS or before further flight. The EASA AD allows a pilot
to inspect the MGB magnetic plugs for particles, while this proposed AD
would not.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 34 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this proposed AD. Labor costs are
estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Inspecting the magnetic plugs and oil filter for particle deposits
would take about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per
inspection cycle.
    Replacing an MGB would take about 42 work-hours for cost of $3,570
and parts would cost about $295,000 (overhauled) for a total cost of
$298,570 per helicopter.
    Replacing the epicyclic reduction gear would take about 56 work-
hours for an estimated cost of $4,760 and parts would cost about
$11,404 for a total cost of $16,164 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.
    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 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, 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-2017-1036; Product Identifier
2018-SW-015-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365 N3,
SA-365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters, certified in any category, with
at least one Type X or Y planet gear assembly with a serial number
(S/N) listed in Appendices 4.A. through 4.B of Airbus Helicopters
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS365-05.00.78, Revision 3, dated
March 2, 2018 (ASB AS-365-05.00.78) installed on the main gearbox
(MGB).

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of an MGB planet
gear assembly. This condition could result in failure of the MGB and
subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by September 21, 2020.

(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

    (1) For helicopters with at least one Type X planet gear
assembly with an S/N listed in Appendix 4.A. of ASB AS-365-05.00.78
installed, before further flight, replace the MGB or as an
alternative to replacing an affected MGB, replace the epicyclic
reduction gear module Post Modification (MOD) 0763C52 in the
affected MGB in accordance with paragraph 3.B.2 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Helicopters Service Bulletin
SB No. AS365-63.00.21, Revision 3, dated July 26, 2018 (SB AS365-
63.00.21), except you are not required to contact Airbus
Helicopters.
    (2) For helicopters without any Type X planet gear assembly
installed but with at least one Type Y planet gear assembly with an
S/N listed in Appendix 4.B. of ASB AS-365-05.0078 installed, within
300 hours time-in-service (TIS), or before any gear accumulates
1,300 hours TIS since new, whichever occurs first, replace the MGB
or as an alternative to replacing the MGB, replace the epicyclic
reduction gear module MOD 0763C52 in the affected MGB in accordance
with paragraphs 3.B.2. of the Accomplishment Instructions of SB
AS365-63.00.21, except you are not required to contact Airbus
Helicopters.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an MGB
with a Type X or Type Y gear assembly with an S/N listed in Appendix
4.A. or 4.B. of ASB AS-365-05.0078 installed, on any helicopter.
    (4) For all helicopters, within 10 hours TIS and thereafter
before the first flight of the day or at intervals not to exceed 10
hours TIS, whichever occurs first, inspect the lower MGB magnetic
plugs for particles.
    (i) If there are particles that consist of any scale, flake, or
splinter, or particles other than cotter pin fragments, pieces of
lock wire, swarf, abrasion, or miscellaneous non-metallic waste and
the planet gear assembly has logged less than 50 hours TIS since
new, inspect the MGB plugs for particles before further flight and
inspect the oil filter for particles within 5 hours TIS. Thereafter,
for 25 hours TIS, continue to inspect the MGB plugs for particles
before each flight, inspect the oil filter for particles at
intervals not to exceed 5 hours TIS, and perform the actions
required by paragraphs (e)(4)(ii)(A) through (B) of this AD.
    (ii) If there are particles that consist of any scale, flake, or
splinter, or particles other than cotter pin fragments, pieces of
lock wire, swarf, abrasion, or miscellaneous non-metallic waste and
the planet gear assembly has logged more than 50 hours TIS since
new, inspect the cumulative surface area of the particles collected
from both the magnetic plug and the oil filter, since last MGB
overhaul or since new if no overhaul has been performed.
    (A) If the total surface area of the particles is less than 3
mm\2\, examine the particles with largest surface area (S), longest
particle length (L) and thickest particles (e).
    (1) If largest surface area (S) of a particle is less than 1
mm\2\, the L is less than 1.5 mm, and the e is less than 0.2 mm,
inspect the MGB plugs for particles before further flight and
inspect the oil filter for particles within 5 hours TIS. Thereafter,
for 25 hours TIS, continue to inspect the MGB plugs for particles
before each flight, inspect the oil filter for particles at
intervals not to exceed 5 hours TIS, and perform the actions
required by paragraphs (e)(4)(ii)(A) through (B) of this AD.
    (2) If largest particle size (S) is greater than 1 mm\2\, the L
is greater than 1.5 mm, or the e is greater than 0.2 mm, perform a
metallurgical analysis for any 16NCD13 particles using a method in
accordance with FAA-approved procedures.
    (3) If there are any 16NCD13 particles, replace the MGB with an
airworthy MGB.
    (4) If there are no 16NCD13 particles, inspect the MGB plugs for
particles before further flight and inspect the oil filter for
particles within 5 hours TIS. Thereafter, for 25 hours TIS, continue
to inspect the MGB plugs for particles before each flight, inspect
the oil filter for particles at intervals not to exceed 5 hours TIS,
and perform the actions required by paragraphs (e)(4)(ii)(A) through
(B) of this AD.
    (B) If the total surface area of collected particles is greater
than or equal to 3 mm\2\, before further flight, perform a
metallurgical analysis for any 6NCD13 particles using a method in
accordance with FAA-approved procedures.
    (1) If there are any 16NCD13 particles, before further flight,
replace the MGB with an airworthy MGB.
    (2) If there are no 16NCD13 particles, inspect the MGB plugs for
particles before further flight and inspect the oil filter for
particles within 5 hours TIS. Thereafter, for 25 hours TIS, continue
to inspect the MGB plugs for particles before each flight, inspect
the oil filter for particles at intervals not to exceed 5 hours TIS,
and perform the actions required by paragraphs (e)(4)(ii)(A) through
(B) of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation
Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft
Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests
that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office
or certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2017-
0116R2, dated March 2, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the

internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6300, Main Rotor
Drive System.

    Issued on August 3, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-17271 Filed 8-6-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P