[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58925-58930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23448]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 25, 2012 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 58925]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1018; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-052-AD;
Amendment 39-17204; AD 2012-19-09]
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 EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N1, AS-
365N2 and AS 365 N3 helicopters to require visually inspecting the tail
rotor hub (TRH) for a crack and removing the TRH if a crack exists.
This AD is prompted by reports of cracks on two TRHs. These actions are
intended to prevent the tail rotor from jamming, which could lead to
reduced or loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective October 10, 2012.
We must receive comments on this 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 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 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5328; 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 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
We are adopting a new AD for Eurocopter EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N1,
AS-365N2 and AS 365 N3 helicopters. Eurocopter reported that a
technician found cracks on the TRH during an inspection of a Model AS-
365 helicopter equipped with a 10-blade TRH. This AD requires
repetitive visual inspections of the TRH for a crack. Eurocopter
initially required a visual inspection of the TRH every 110 hours, but
reduced that requirement to 55 flight hours after cracks were found on
a second hub. Eurocopter is investigating the cause of the cracks.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
No. 2011-0144, dated July 26, 2011, to correct this unsafe condition
for Eurocopter Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N1, AS-365N2 and AS 365 N3
helicopters. EASA states that if a TRH crack is not detected and
corrected, the tail rotor could jam, leading to a reduction or loss of
control of the helicopter. Pending further investigation, the EASA AD
requires repetitive inspections of the TRH every 55 flight hours. EASA
considers the actions in its AD to be interim measures and expects
further AD actions will follow.
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.
Related Service Information
Following the report of cracks found on the TRH of a Model AS-365
helicopter, Eurocopter issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. EC 155-
05A021, Revision 0, dated April 11, 2011, for Model EC 155B and EC155B1
helicopters, and ASB No. AS365-
[[Page 58926]]
05.00.60, Revision 0, dated April 11, 2011, for Model SA-365N1, AS-
365N2 and AS 365 N3 and some military helicopters. After a second
report of TRH cracks, the ASBs were revised, dated July 20, 2011, to
mandate and reduce the repetitive inspection interval from 110 flight
hours to 55 flight hours.
The ASBs call for visually inspecting the TRH for cracks and, if
cracks are found, removing the TRH. EASA classified these ASBs as
mandatory and issued AD No. 2011-0144 to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these helicopters.
AD Requirements
This AD requires visually inspecting the TRH for a crack within 55
hours time in service (TIS) and, if a crack exists, removing the TRH
from service. This inspection must be repeated at intervals not to
exceed 55 hours TIS.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim action because Eurocopter is
investigating the cause of TRH cracks. If a final action is later
identified, we might consider additional rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 34 helicopters of U.S.
Registry and that labor costs will average $85 a work-hour. We expect
that it will take 1 work-hour to visually inspect the TRH for a crack,
and that helicopters will average 5 inspections per year. Thus, we
estimate a total annual cost of $425 per helicopter, and $14,450 for
the U.S. operator fleet.
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 within 55 hours TIS, a very short time
period based on the average utilization rate of the highest usage
helicopter model.
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 impractical and contrary to
the public interest 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):
2012-19-09 Eurocopter Helicopters: Amendment 39-17204; Docket No.
FAA-2012-1018; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-052-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N1,
AS-365N2 and AS 365 N3 helicopters, with a tail rotor hub (TRH) part
number 365A33351100, 365A33351101, or 365A33351102 installed,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in the TRH that
could lead to a tail rotor jam, and subsequent reduced or loss of
control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective October 10, 2012.
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this
AD within the specified compliance time.
(e) Required Actions
(1) Within 55 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 55 hours TIS, using a light, visually
inspect the TRH for a crack in the entire area shown as Area C of
the TRH (a) in Figure 1 to paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. The
inspection area is on the tail gearbox (TGB) side of the TRH. The
TGB is shown as (c) in Figures 2 and 3 to paragraph (e)(1) of this
AD. You must pay particular attention to the area around the screws,
shown as (e) in Figure 3 to paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, and the TRH
between the lower part of the TGB and its fairing, shown as (d) in
Figures 2 and 3 to paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, using details D and
E of Figure 3 to paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. You must turn the tail
rotor by hand to inspect the entire Area C.
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(2) If there is a crack on the TRH, remove the TRH from service.
(f) Special Flight Permits
No special flight permits will be permitted.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5328; 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
[[Page 58930]]
certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft
complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(h) Additional Information
(1) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS365-05.00.60,
Revision 1, dated July 20, 2011, and Eurocopter ASB No. EC 155-
05A021, Revision 1, dated July 20, 2011, which are not incorporated
by reference, contain additional information about the subject of
this AD. 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 a copy
of the 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 (EASA) AD No. 2011-0144, dated July 26, 2011.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6420, Tail Rotor
Head.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 14, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23448 Filed 9-24-12; 8:45 am]
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