[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 208 (Thursday, October 27, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66613-66615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27680]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-1074; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-028-AD;
Amendment 39-16834; AD 2011-21-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model
EC225LP Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
the Eurocopter Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires inspecting
the side mount of the pilot and copilot seats to determine if any floor
attachment screw, nut, or washer is missing. If a screw, nut, or washer
is missing, this AD also requires installing airworthy parts. This AD
is prompted by a report that some of the floor attachment screws and
nuts under the pilot and co-pilot seats were missing. Further
investigation has shown that some of the cup washers that need to be
used in installing countersunk head screws that attach the pilot and
co-pilot seat frame to the floor were missing. A missing floor
attachment screw, washer, or nut, if not detected, could reduce the
strength of the seat attachment. The actions specified in this AD are
intended to detect a missing floor attachment screw, washer, or nut and
help prevent detachment of the seat from the floor during an emergency
landing.
DATES: Effective November 14, 2011.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 14, 2011.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before December 27, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD:
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 AD from American
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75053-4005,
telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com.
Examining te Docket: You may examine the docket that contains the
AD, any comments, and other information 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 Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647 5527) is
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5130, fax
(817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
No. 2010-
[[Page 66614]]
0030, dated February 26, 2010, to correct an unsafe condition for the
Eurocopter Model EC225LP helicopters. EASA reports that on several
newly-produced helicopters, some screws and nuts that attach the frames
of the pilot's and co-pilot's seats to the floor were missing. Further
investigation has shown that some of the cup washers that need to be
used in installing the countersunk head screws, which attach the
pilot's and co-pilot's seat frames to the floor, were missing. EASA
states that this condition, if not corrected, reduces the seat
attachments strength, and it could result in no longer retaining the
seats in place in the event of an emergency or hard landing.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
We refer to flight hours as hours time-in-service.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 53A020, Revision
0, dated February 17, 2010 (ASB), which specifies checking for the
presence of screws and nuts on each side of the pilot's and co-pilot's
seat mount. If one screw or one nut is missing, the ASB specifies
removing the affected seat, checking for cup washers, and performing
the specified corrective action to return the seat to conformity.
FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination
This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of
France and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, their technical
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in
the EASA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of this same
type designs.
There are no helicopters of this type currently registered in the
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these helicopters are
placed on the U.S. Registry in the future.
Costs of Compliance
There are no costs of compliance since there are no helicopters of
this type design on the U.S. Registry.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since there are currently no affected U.S. registered helicopters,
we have determined that notice and opportunity for prior public comment
before issuing this AD are unnecessary and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Requirements of This AD
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of the same type design that may become registered in the
United States. Therefore, this AD is being issued to require, within 85
hours time-in-service (TIS), unless accomplished previously, inspecting
for the presence of 4 screws and 4 nuts on each side of the copilot's
seat mount and 1 screw and 1 nut on each side of the pilot's seat
mount. If any screw, nut, or cup washer is missing, this AD requires
removing the seat and mount and, before further flight, counter sinking
the hole and installing airworthy parts and replacing the mount and
seat. The actions must be done by following specified portions of the
ASB described previously.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-1074; Directorate
Identifier 2010 SW 028 AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
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
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the
docket web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477 78).
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that notice and prior public comment are
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation; therefore, it can be
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft since
none of these model helicopters are registered in the United States. We
have also determined that this regulation is not a ``significant
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined
further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If
it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the AD docket.
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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
2011-21-11 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-16834; Docket No.
FAA-2011-1074; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-028-AD.
[[Page 66615]]
Applicability: Model EC225LP helicopters, with an airworthiness
certificate issued before December 15, 2009, with FISHER H140 pilot
and co-pilot seats, part number (P/N) 052010032000D61091, Eurocopter
P/N 704A41120116, or with Eurocopter co-pilot seat, P/N 332V08-0180-
00, installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To detect a missing floor attachment screw, nut, or washer to
help prevent detachment of the seat from the floor during an
emergency landing, do the following:
(a) Within 85 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect for the
presence of 4 screws and 4 nuts on each side of the copilot's seat
mount and 1 screw and 1 nut on each side of the pilot's seat mount
by reference to Figures 1 through 4 of Eurocopter Alert Service
Bulletin No. 53A020, Revision 0, dated February 17, 2010 (ASB).
(b) If any screw, nut, or cup washer is missing, remove the seat
and mount and before further flight, countersink the hole and
install airworthy parts and replace the mount and seat by following
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.b.2.b., of the ASB.
(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, Attn: Gary Roach,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and
Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137,
telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961, for information about
previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component Code is 2500: Cabin
Equipment/Furnishings.
(e) The inspection and repair of the pilot and co-pilot seats
shall be done by following the specified portions of Eurocopter
Alert Service Bulletin No. 53A020, Revision 0, dated February 17,
2010. The Director of the Federal Register approved this
incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1
CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from American Eurocopter
Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75053-4005,
telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas, or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on November 14, 2011.
Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency AD No. 2010-0030, dated February 26, 2010.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 29, 2011.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27680 Filed 10-26-11; 8:45 am]
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