[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 145 (Friday, July 27, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44118-44120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17960]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0766; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-056-AD;
Amendment 39-17133; AD 2012-15-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC155B1 helicopters with a certain
automated flight control system installed. This AD requires changing
the minimum required crew for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations
from one pilot to two. This AD is prompted by a report that an EC155B1
helicopter experienced significant intermittent roll oscillations while
coupled to the autopilot. These actions are intended to decrease the
pilot's workload while experiencing any oscillations during landing,
which could result in possible loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective August 13, 2012.
We must receive comments on this AD by September 25, 2012.
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 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 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: Clark Davenport, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and
[[Page 44119]]
an opportunity to provide your comments prior to it becoming effective.
However, 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
resulted from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a
specific portion of the AD, 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 them only one time. 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
rulemaking during the comment period. We will consider all the comments
we receive and may conduct additional rulemaking based on those
comments.
Discussion
During a flight test of a Model EC155B1 helicopter, intermittent
uncommanded roll oscillations were discovered during coupled instrument
landing system (ILS) and localizer (LOC) approaches. The aircraft,
which was coupled to the autopilot when these oscillations occurred,
was not able to provide a stabilized approach from the final approach
fix through the decision altitude or the minimum descent altitude.
These intermittent oscillations occur during the landing phase of a
flight, at an altitude of 500 feet or less above ground level, and
result in higher single-pilot workload.
After an investigation, Eurocopter determined that these
oscillations were caused by software in the automated flight control
system (AFCS) that does not adequately filter the electronic ``noise''
from the U.S. ILS and LOC signals. This behavior of the autopilot was
not experienced by aircraft operating in European airspace. An
additional FAA flight test of an EC155B1 with unmodified AFCS software
coupled to various ILS signals confirmed the oscillations, and that
they can roll the helicopter up to +/-15 degrees.
Eurocopter is developing a software modification that will update
the filtering algorithms for U.S. category 1 ILS and LOC signals. Until
this update is approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency and
validated by the FAA, we have determined that single pilot IFR
operations constitute an unsafe condition for this model helicopter.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
France and are approved for operation in the United States. We are
issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and
determined that an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other helicopters of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires, before further flight, changing the minimum
flight crew requirements for IFR operations from one pilot to two by
revising the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) Operating Limitations
section.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim action. The design approval
holder is currently developing a modification that will address the
unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is
developed, approved, and available, we might consider additional
rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect six helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in
order to comply with this AD. Revising the RFM will require about .25
hour at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour, for a total cost
per helicopter of about $22 and a total cost to U.S operator fleet of
$132.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment
prior to the adoption of this rule because the required corrective
actions must be accomplished before further flight.
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
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 AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):
[[Page 44120]]
2012-15-04 EUROCOPTER FRANCE: Amendment 39-17133; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0766; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-056-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model EC155B1 helicopters with an automated
flight control system part number (P/N) 416-00297-161 and software
level P/N 704A47-1332-79 installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as intermittent uncommanded
roll oscillations during coupled instrument landing system and
localizer approaches with the autopilot coupled, which could result
in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective August 13, 2012.
(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
Before further flight, revise the Operating Limitations section
of Eurocopter EC 155B1 Flight Manual Section 2.1, by inserting a
copy of this AD into the Flight Manual or by making pen and ink
changes as follows. Under paragraph 5, Minimum Flight Crew/Maximum
Personnel Transport Capability, beneath ``Minimum flight crew,''
remove the phrase ``--one pilot in right-hand seat'' and replace it
as follows:
--VFR: One pilot in right-hand seat.
--IFR: Two pilots required.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Clark Davenport, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 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) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2210: Autopilot
System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 16, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-17960 Filed 7-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P