[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 173 (Thursday, September 6, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54796-54797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21261]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0222; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-007-AD;
Amendment 39-17166; AD 2012-17-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Eurocopter France Model AS350 helicopters. This AD requires installing
protection sleeves over certain forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic
hoses. This AD was prompted by an in-flight fire caused by the ignition
of hydraulic fluid leaking from a damaged forward servo-control
hydraulic hose. This AD's actions are intended to prevent the forward
servo-control hydraulic hoses from becoming damaged and leaking
hydraulic fluid that could ignite in flight, which could result in loss
of main rotor (M/R) control, power loss, structural damage, propagation
of fire, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective October 11, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of October 11,
2012.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX
75052, telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3775,
or at http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review the referenced
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
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, any incorporated-by-reference
service information, the economic evaluation, any comments received,
and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-
140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Wilbanks, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5051; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On March 9, 2012, at 77 FR 14310, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Eurocopter AS350 B,
BA, D, B1, B2, and B3 helicopters with a single hydraulic power system
and forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hoses part number (P/N)
704A34-412-033 (other reference manufacturer's part number (MP/N) 675-
102-05-01) or P/N 704A34-412-035 (other reference MP/N 675-102-06-01)
installed. That NPRM proposed to require installing protection sleeves
over certain forward servo-control hydraulic hoses. The proposed
requirements were intended to prevent the forward servo-control
hydraulic hoses from becoming damaged and leaking hydraulic fluid that
could ignite in flight. Such an ignition could result in loss of M/R
control, power loss, propagation of fire, structural damage, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
No. 2011-0033, dated March 1, 2011 (AD 2011-0033), to correct an unsafe
condition for the Eurocopter helicopters. EASA advises that an in-
flight fire in the main gearbox compartment occurred on an AS350B2
helicopter. The fire was ``caused by ignition of hydraulic fluid
leaking from a hydraulic hose, which had been damaged following an
electrical fault in a circuit located in the compartment that is not
fire protected. An in-flight fire in the main gearbox compartment
during a continued flight, when undetected or if a landing could not be
performed immediately, can result in loss of hydraulics, shutdown of
the engine because of fire effects, and damage to the Main Rotor (MR)
control system.'' This condition, if not prevented, could lead to loss
of M/R control, power loss, structural damage, propagation of fire into
the cabin or other compartments, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter. For these reasons, AD 2011-0033 requires installation of
protection sleeves on the affected hydraulic hoses.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters 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, its 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 these same
type designs and that air safety and the public interest require
adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 29.00.13, dated
July 26, 2010, which specifies installing two siliconed glass wool
sleeves over both forward main rotor servo-control hydraulic hoses.
EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and issued AD 2011-0033 to ensure
the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.
[[Page 54797]]
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 695 helicopters of U.S.
Registry and that operators will incur the following costs to comply
with this AD:
Disconnecting the servo control hoses, installing the protective
sleeves, reconnecting the hoses, and testing for interference requires
one work hour at an average labor rate of $85 per hour. Required parts
cost $212, for a total cost of $297 for each helicopter. Based upon
these costs, we estimate a total cost to the U.S. operator fleet of
$206,415.
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 helicopters identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
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 above, 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):
2012-17-03 Eurocopter France Helicopters: Amendment 39-17166; Docket
No. FAA-2012-0222; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-007-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350BA,
AS350D, AS350B1, AS350B2, and AS350B3 helicopters, certificated in
any category, with a single hydraulic power system and either of the
following forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hoses installed:
part number (P/N) 704A34-412-033 (other reference manufacturer's
part number (MP/N) 675-102-05-01), or P/N 704A34-412-035 (other
reference MP/N 675-102-06-01). Helicopters that have been modified
in accordance with modification 074238 are excluded.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as unprotected forward
(pitch) servo-control hydraulic hoses, which could become damaged
and leak hydraulic fluid that could ignite in flight. This condition
could result in loss of main rotor control, power loss, structural
damage, propagation of fire into the cabin or other compartments,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective October 11, 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
(1) Within 30 days, install sleeve P/N 706A34-402-225 over
hydraulic hose P/N 704A34-412-033 and sleeve P/N 706A34-402-224 over
hydraulic hose P/N 704A34-412-035 in accordance with Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2, of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin
No. 29.00.13, dated July 26, 2010.
(2) Do not install an affected hydraulic hose on any helicopter
without a sleeve in accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Wilbanks, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group,
2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817)
222-5051, 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) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in the European Aviation
Safety Agency AD EASA AD No. 2011-0033, dated March 1, 2011.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2900: Hydraulic
Power System.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 29.00.13, dated July
26, 2010.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD,
contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, TX 75052, telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323, fax
(972) 641-3775, or at http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub.
(4) You may review a copy of the referenced service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference 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.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 16, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-21261 Filed 9-5-12; 8:45 am]
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