[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58971-58973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23444]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1014; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-058-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter)
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
Eurocopter Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS365N3 helicopters. This
proposed AD would revise the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft
Flight Manual (RFM) to prohibit flight in instrument meteorological
conditions (IMC) or night visual flight rules (VFR) for each helicopter
with a vertical gyro unit GV76-1 installed upon a non-reinforced shelf
in the rear cargo compartment. Also, this proposed AD would require
modifying the GV76-1 vertical gyro unit shelf and testing for correct
function of the navigation systems. This proposed AD is prompted by
flight crew reports of deviations between the displayed attitude on the
attitude display screen and the independent electromechanical standby
attitude indicator. The proposed actions
[[Page 58972]]
are intended to prevent an undetected flight display error of a slow
drift in the roll axis, disorientation of the pilot, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 26,
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 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 service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
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. 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark F. Wiley, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5134,
fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
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 might
result from adopting the proposals in this document. 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.
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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD
No. 2010-0100R1, dated August 4, 2010, and corrected August 11, 2010,
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified Eurocopter model
helicopters. EASA advises that a slow drift in the roll axis on the
pilot's and co-pilot's attitude display screens occurred simultaneously
during flight on several helicopters equipped with the GV76-1 vertical
gyro unit installed in the rear cargo compartment. EASA advises ``these
drifts were caused by a fault in the vertical gyros unit installation
in the rear cargo.'' EASA states that in certain configurations, the
GV76-1 vertical gyro unit installation has a natural mode close to the
main rotor's harmonic frequency that generates rather significant
vibratory levels on the GV76-1 unit by amplifying the intrinsic
vibration of the aircraft. The faults are caused by these vibratory
levels. EASA also states that the critical mode is essentially due to
bending on the horizontal cross-members, which support the GV76-1
shelf.
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
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued an Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 34.00.31
Revision 1, dated July 28, 2010 (ASB 34.00.31), for FAA type-
certificated Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS365N3 helicopters and for
military non-FAA type-certificated Model AS-365F, Fi, and K
helicopters. ASB 34.00.31 specifies reinforcing the shelves of the
vertical gyros GV76-1 (in cargo compartment) on the right hand (RH) or
left-hand (LH) side. EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and issued
AD No. 2010-0100R1, dated August 4, 2010, and corrected August 11,
2010, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require:
Before further flight, revising the Limitations section of
the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to prohibit flight in instrument
meteorological conditions (IMC) or night visual flight rules (VFR) for
each helicopter with a vertical gyro unit GV76-1 installed on the rear
cargo compartment shelf without reinforcement per Modification
365P081895.
Within 110 hours time-in-service, modifying the GV76-1
vertical gyro unit shelf by complying with the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraphs 2.A. through 2.B.2.e. of the ASB. After
reinforcing the shelf, operationally testing the GV76-1 vertical gyro
unit and functionally test the navigation systems.
Modifying the GV76-1 vertical gyro unit shelf is
terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
After modifying the GV76-1 vertical gyro unit shelf,
removing this AD or deleting any changes to the Limitations section of
the RFM that prohibit flight in IMC or VFR as a result of this AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
We do not use the calendar dates, which have already passed. This
AD prohibits flight in IMC or night VFR until MOD 365P081895 is
accomplished.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 19 helicopters of
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 16 work hours
to install a
[[Page 58973]]
shelf reinforcement kit per helicopter at an average labor rate of $85
per work hour. Required parts would cost about $2,560 per helicopter.
Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD
on U.S. operators to be $74,480 to reinforce the shelf of the entire
fleet.
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, 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);
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 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
airworthiness directive (AD):
Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2012-1014; Directorate Identifier
2010-SW-058-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3
helicopters, with the GV76-1 vertical gyro unit installed on the
left-hand (LH) or right-hand (RH) shelf in the rear cargo
compartment, pre-MOD 365P081895, certificated in any category, all
serial numbers except 6698, 6701, 6723, 6737, and 6741.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as an undetected flight
display error of a slow drift in the roll axis. This condition could
result in disorientation of the pilot and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
(c) 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.
(d) Required Actions
(1) Before further flight, revise the Limitations section of the
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by inserting a copy of this AD into
the RFM or by pen and ink changes to the RFM that prohibits flight
in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or night visual flight
rules (VFR) for each helicopter with a vertical gyro unit GV76-1
installed on the rear cargo compartment shelf without reinforcement
per Modification 365P081895.
(2) Within 110 hours time-in-service, modify the GV76-1 vertical
gyro unit shelf as depicted in Figures 1 through 3 and by following
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A. through 2.B.2.e.,
of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 34.00.31, Revision 1, dated
July 28, 2010. After reinforcing the shelf, operationally test the
GV76-1 vertical gyro unit and functionally test the navigation
systems.
(3) After modifying the GV76-1 vertical gyro unit shelf, remove
this AD from the Limitations section of the RFM or remove any
changes to the Limitations section of the RFM that prohibit flight
in IMC or VFR as a result of paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
(4) Modifying the GV76-1 vertical gyro unit shelf is terminating
action for the requirements of this AD.
(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Mark F. Wiley, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5134;
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.
(f) Additional Information
(1) For service information identified in this AD, contact
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. 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.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency AD No. 2010-0100R1, dated August 4, 2010, and
corrected August 11, 2010.
(g) Subject
Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code: 3421: Attitude Gyro
and Indicator System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 14, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23444 Filed 9-24-12; 8:45 am]
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