[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70360-70362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28033]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0339; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-051-AD;
Amendment 39-17259; AD 2012-23-03]
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 all
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA.315B Alouette III, SE.3160
Alouette III, SA.316B Alouette III, SA.316C Alouette III, SA.319B
Alouette III, SA 3180-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU, SA 318B-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU, and
SA 318 C-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the
cage of the free-wheel assembly for the correct alignment of the roller
drive pocket recesses and replacing the free-wheel cage with an
airworthy free-wheel cage if a defect exists. This AD was prompted by
incorrect positioning of the roller drive pocket recesses on the tail
rotor drive shaft free-wheel cage, which caused a pilot to experience a
heavy jerk in the yaw control during in-flight autorotation training.
The requirements of this AD are intended to prevent a loss of tail
rotor drive and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective December 31, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of December 31,
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: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5110, email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On March 29, 2012, at 77 FR 18967, 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 Model
SA.315B Alouette III, SE.3160 Alouette III, SA.316B Alouette III,
SA.316C Alouette III, SA.319B Alouette III, SA 3180-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU,
SA 318B-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU, and SA 318C-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU helicopters.
That NPRM proposed to require inspecting the cage of the free-wheel
assembly for the correct alignment of the roller drive pocket recesses
and replacing the free-wheel cage with an airworthy free-wheel cage if
a defect exists. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent a
loss of tail rotor drive 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. 2011-0143, dated July 26, 2011 (AD 2011-0143), to correct an unsafe
condition for Eurocopter helicopters. EASA advises that during in-
flight autorotation training, a pilot experienced a heavy jerk in the
yaw control at the time of resynchronization. The free-wheel assembly
of the helicopter had been replaced shortly before this flight.
Internal inspection of the free-wheel assembly revealed incorrect
positioning of the roller drive pocket recesses on the free-wheel cage.
The subsequent off-
[[Page 70361]]
setting restricts the travel of the roller on its ramp and can cause,
under high torque conditions, free-wheel slippage.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in a temporary loss
of rotor drive, jeopardizing flight safety, especially in phases of
flight close to the ground.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (77 FR 18967,
March 29, 2012).
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 the 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.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires compliance within 110 flight hours or 5
months, whichever occurs first. This AD does not impose a calendar time
requirement.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. Alouette-
65.149, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011, for model 3130, 313B, 3180,
318B, 318C, 3160, 316B, 316C, 319C and 319B helicopters; and ASB No.
SA315-65.48, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011, for model 315B
helicopters, which specify removing and disassembling the free-wheel
assembly to check the free-wheel cage for correct positioning. EASA
classified these ASBs as mandatory and issued AD 2011-0143 to ensure
the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 63 helicopters of U.S.
Registry and that operators may incur the following costs to comply
with this AD.
Inspecting the free-wheel cage assembly will require 8
work-hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour, and required parts
will cost $13, for a total cost per helicopter of $693, and a total
cost to the U.S. operator fleet of $43,659.
Modifying any affected free-wheel cage assembly will
require 8 work hours and required parts will cost $1,986, for a total
cost per helicopter of $2,666.
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):
2012-23-03 Eurocopter France Helicopters: Amendment 39-17259; Docket
No. FAA-2012-0339; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-051-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model SA.315B Alouette III, SE.3160 Alouette
III, SA.316B Alouette III, SA.316C Alouette III, SA.319B Alouette
III, SA 3180-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU, SA 318B-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU, and SA 318
C-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU helicopters with a free-wheel cage, part number
(P/N) 3130S60-10-003 installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as incorrect positioning of
the roller drive pocket recesses on the cage of the tail-rotor
driveshaft free-wheel assembly. This condition could result in loss
of tail rotor drive and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective December 31, 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
Within 110 hours time-in-service:
(1) Remove the free-wheel assembly and pull out the free-wheel
driven head.
(2) Inspect the free-wheel cage for correct alignment of the
roller drive pocket recesses in accordance with Figure 2 of
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. SA315-65.48, Revision 0,
or Eurocopter ASB No. ALOUETTE-65.149, Revision 0, both dated March
23, 2011, as appropriate for your model helicopter.
(3) If the right edge of the tab is in line with the right edge
of the pocket recess, before further flight, replace the free-wheel
cage with an airworthy free-wheel cage.
(4) Do not install an affected free-wheel assembly on any
helicopter, unless the cage has passed inspection in accordance with
paragraph (e)(2) through (e)(3) 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
[[Page 70362]]
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) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2011-0143, dated July 26, 2011.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700: Tail Rotor
Drive System.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service
information 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 (ASB) No. SA315-65.48,
Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011.
(ii) Eurocopter ASB No. ALOUETTE-65-149, Revision 0, dated March
23, 2011.
(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 view this service information at the FAA, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
(5) You may also view this service information 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 5, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-28033 Filed 11-23-12; 8:45 am]
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