[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 93 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27954-27956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11878]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0454; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-54-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365C, SA-
365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1
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 the
specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. This proposed AD
results from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD
issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. The
MCAI AD states that the manufacturer has received some reports of
deterioration and two reports of failure of Starflex star arm ends.
These deteriorations generated high-amplitude vibrations in flight
requiring precautionary landings. They state these deteriorations are
due to the strong effect of temperature on the strength of the bush-to-
Starflex star arm end attachment. Consequently, the MCAI AD requires
modification of the frequency adapters and the frequency adapter bushes
to improve the ventilation in the area on the star arm end. This
proposed AD is intended to require modifying the main rotor frequency
adapters to reduce the temperature in the area, to prevent failure of
the star arm end, severe vibration, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 13, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie,
Texas 75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710 or at
http://www.eurocopter.com.
Examining the AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov, 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
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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Gary Roach,
ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations
and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137,
telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0454;
Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-54-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Community, has issued EASA Emergency AD (EAD) No. 2006-0362-E,
dated November 30, 2006, to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified Eurocopter model helicopters. The MCAI AD states: ``This
Emergency Airworthiness Directive is issued following some reports of
deterioration and two reports of failure of Starflex star arm ends.
These deteriorations generated high-amplitude vibrations in flight,
compelling the pilot to carry out a precautionary landing, in each of
these cases. The failure of the Starflex star arm end could make it
impossible to control the helicopter. These deteriorations are due to
the strong effect of temperature on the strength of the bush-to-
Starflex star arm end attachment. Consequently, this EAD requires
modification (MOD 0762C39) of the frequency adapters and the frequency
adapter bushes, in order to improve the ventilation in the area on the
star arm end, on helicopters operated in hot climatic conditions and/or
tropical and damp atmosphere.''
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI AD and
service information in the AD docket.
Related Service Information
ECF has issued one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin, dated November
23, 2006, with four different numbers: No. 62.00.24 is for the civil
Model SA- 365N, AS-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS-365 N3; No. 62.14 is for the
civil Model SA-366G1; No. 65.45 is for the Model SA-365C, C1, and C2;
and No. 62.00.10 is for the non-FAA type certificated military Model
565 helicopters. The actions described in the MCAI AD are intended to
correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in the service
information.
FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination
These products 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, their Technical Agent, has
informed us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
[[Page 27955]]
AD and the referenced service information. We are proposing this AD
because we evaluated all the information provided by EASA and
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of these same type designs.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI AD
This proposed AD differs from the MCAI AD as follows:
We refer to flight hours as hours time-in-service.
We refer to a check as an inspection if it is an action
performed by maintenance personnel rather than a pilot.
We omit the phrase ``hot climatic conditions and/or in
tropical and damp atmosphere'' because it is unenforceable.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 37 helicopters
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 12 work-
hours per helicopter to modify the frequency adapters and bushes. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $960 per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $73,260.
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 above, 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); 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.
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
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2011-0454; Directorate Identifier
2009-SW-54-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by June 13, 2011.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2, SA-
365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters,
certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD
states that the manufacturer has received some reports of
deterioration and two reports of failure of Starflex star arm ends.
These deteriorations generated high-amplitude vibrations in flight
requiring precautionary landings. They state these deteriorations
are due to the strong effect of temperature on the strength of the
bush-to-Starflex star arm end attachment. Consequently, the MCAI AD
requires modification of the frequency adapters and the frequency
adapter bushes to improve the ventilation in the area on the star
arm end. The proposed AD is intended to require modifying the main
rotor frequency adapters to reduce the temperature in the area, to
prevent failure of the star arm end, severe vibration, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Actions and Compliance
(e) For a main rotor head frequency adapter, pre MOD 0762C39,
within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS), remove the main rotor
blades, modify the frequency adapters and bushes, and change the
part number of the frequency adapter as shown in Figures 1 through 5
and by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.,
of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 62.00.24
for the Model SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3; No. 62.14 for
the Model SA-366G1; and No. 65.45 for the Model SA-365C, C1, and C2
helicopters; all dated November 23, 2006. This modification is MOD
0762C39.
Note: The one Eurocopter EASB contains four different EASB
numbers, three (Nos. 62.00.24, 62.14, and 65.45) that apply to
different civil Eurocopter model helicopters and one (No. 62.00.10)
that only applies to non-FAA type-certificated military Model 565
helicopters and is not incorporated by reference.
(f) For each main rotor head frequency adapter modified per MOD
0762C39, within 10 hours TIS, unless accomplished previously, and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, inspect to
determine whether the safety wire is in place on the trailing edge
of the frequency adapter and whether the holes in the frequency
adapters and the frequency adapter bushes, as shown in Figure 5 of
the EASB for your model helicopter, are blocked.
(1) If the lockwire is missing from the trailing edge of the
frequency adapter, before further flight, reposition the bush if it
has turned and install more safety wire.
(2) If a hole is blocked, before further flight, unblock the
hole.
(g) Before installing a frequency adapter or bush, modify the
frequency adapter or bush and change the part number in accordance
with paragraph (e) of this AD.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD
(h) This AD differs from the MCAI AD as follows:
(1) We refer to flight hours as hours TIS.
(2) We refer to the check specified in the MCAI AD as an
inspection because it is an action performed by maintenance
personnel rather than a pilot.
(3) We omit the phrase ``hot climatic conditions and/or in
tropical and damp atmosphere'' because it is unenforceable.
Other Information
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Gary Roach, ASW-
111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations
and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137,
telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested, using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19.
[[Page 27956]]
Related Information
(j) MCAI AD No. 2006-0362-E, dated November 30, 2006, contains
related information.
Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code
(k) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 5311:
Main Rotor Head.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 28, 2011.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-11878 Filed 5-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P