[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17076-17078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06132]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0795; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-53-AD;
Amendment 39-17395; AD 2013-05-23]
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
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters to
require a one-time inspection of the main rotor head (MRH) swash-plate
upper bearing (bearing) for a non-smooth point (friction point). This
AD was prompted by a report of the premature deterioration of the MRH
bearing of the rotating star installed on a Model AS332L1 helicopter.
The actions of this AD are intended to detect deterioration of the MRH
bearing and to prevent overloading the scissor links which drive the
main rotor system, failure of the scissors links, and subsequent loss
of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective April 24, 2013.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum
[[Page 17077]]
Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005; telephone (800) 232-0323; 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.
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: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On July 30, 2012, at 77 FR 44509, 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
AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters with a certain MRH. That NPRM proposed to
require inspecting the MRH bearing for a non-smooth point (friction
point), and if there is a friction point in the bearing, then replacing
the MRH with an airworthy MRH, or if there is not a friction point in
the bearing, then further inspecting the grease expelled from the MRH
swash-plate for metal particles. The NPRM also proposed to require that
if there is a metal particle in the grease expelled from the MRH swash-
plate, replacing the MRH with an airworthy MRH, or if there is not a
metal particle in the grease, measuring the force required to rotate
the MRH swash-plate and inspecting certain MRH swash-plate assemblies
for vertical play in the bearing to determine the airworthiness of the
MRH. The proposed requirements were intended to detect deterioration of
the MRH bearing and to prevent overloading the scissor links which
drive the main rotor system, failure of the scissors links, 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, issued EASA
Emergency AD No. 2008-0172-E, dated September 9, 2008 (EAD No. 2008-
0172-E), to correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Model AS 332
C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters, with an MRH, part number (P/N) 332A31-
0001-05 or P/N 332A31-0001-06, having a serial number (S/N) of M172,
M216, M261, M308, M547, M677, M811, or M936, and having ``logged less
than 275 flight hours since the last overhaul or repair.'' EASA states
that Eurocopter received a report of deterioration of an MRH bearing on
an MRH that was installed on an AS 332 L1 helicopter. The AS 332 L1
helicopter had logged 72 flight hours since the last overhaul. EASA
states that there was an onset of vibrations in flight and these
vibrations were due to premature deterioration of the upper bearing of
the MRH swash-plate. They state that this condition, if not corrected,
``could lead to failure of the scissors links and consequently to the
control loss of the helicopter.''
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 44509,
July 30, 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 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 one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB)
with two different numbers, both Revision 0, and both dated September
8, 2008: EASB No. 62.00.73 for Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters and
non-FAA type certificated Model C1 helicopters; and EASB No. 62.00.30
for non-FAA type certificated Model 532 UC, AC, UL, AL, SC, and UE
military helicopters. EASB No. 62.00.73 specifies checking for the
absence of a friction point in the MRH bearing. If there is no friction
point, EASB No. 62.00.73 specifies checking the condition of the grease
in the swash-plate assembly by lubricating the swash-plate, rotating it
by hand, and determining if the expelled grease contains traces of
metal particles. If the expelled grease does not contain traces of
metal particles, EASB No. 62.00.73 specifies checking the swash-plate
``rotation torque'' using a spring scale. If the rotation torque is
less than 5.5 kg, EASB No. 62.00.73 specifies checking the bearing for
vertical play. If there is a friction point, the expelled grease
contains traces of metal particles, the rotation torque is equal to or
greater than 5.5 kg, or there is vertical play in the bearing, EASB No.
62.00.73 specifies removing the MRH and sending it to an approved
repair station. EASA classified this EASB as mandatory and issued EAD
No. 2008-0172-E to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
helicopters.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA Emergency AD includes Model AS332C1 helicopters. This AD
does not include this model helicopter since it is not type
certificated in the U.S. The EASA AD does not include S/Ns M561, M859,
M935, M938, and M942, whereas this AD does include those S/Ns. The EASA
Emergency AD requires operators to comply with the requirements no
later than the ``next last flight of the day.'' Our AD requires the
actions to be accomplished within 5 hours TIS. Also, the EASA Emergency
AD is applicable to the specified helicopters having logged less than
275 flight hours since the last overhaul or repair, whereas our AD only
applies to the specified helicopters having less than 275 hours TIS
since the last overhaul of the MRH.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 6 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in
order to comply with this AD. It will take approximately 1 work-hour
per helicopter to accomplish the inspection of the MRH bearing for a
friction point, inspection of the swash-plate grease for any metal
particles, measurement of the swash-plate force to rotate, and
inspection of the bearing for vertical play. It will take approximately
60 work-hours to replace the MRH. These actions will be accomplished at
an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. We estimate the parts cost
of replacing an MRH will be approximately $20,000. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost of this
[[Page 17078]]
AD on U.S. operators is $25,610, assuming that all affected helicopters
are inspected and that one MRH in the fleet will need to be replaced.
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):
2013-05-23 Eurocopter France (Eurocopter): Amendment 39-17395;
Docket No. FAA-2012-0795; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-53-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter Model AS332C, L, and L1
helicopters with a main rotor head (MRH), part number (P/N) 332A31-
0001-05 or P/N 332A31-0001-06, with a serial number (S/N) M172,
M216, M261, M308, M547, M561, M677, M811, M859, M935, M936, M938, or
M942 installed; having less than 275 hours time-in-service (TIS)
since the last overhaul of the MRH; certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as deterioration of the MRH
swash-plate upper bearing (bearing), which could result in
overloading the scissor links which drive the main rotor system,
failure of the scissors links, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective April 24, 2013.
(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 5 hours TIS:
(1) Inspect the MRH bearing for a non-smooth point (friction
point) by rotating the MRH swash-plate and:
(i) If there is a friction point in the bearing, before further
flight, replace the MRH with an airworthy MRH.
(ii) If there is not a friction point in the bearing, lubricate
the MRH swash-plate and rotate it until grease is expelled; inspect
the expelled grease for metal particles.
(A) If there is a metal particle in the grease, before further
flight, replace the MRH with an airworthy MRH.
(B) If there is not a metal particle in the grease, measure the
force required to rotate the MRH swash-plate using a spring scale
attached to the pitch change rod attachment yokes.
(1) If the force to rotate the MRH swash-plate is equal to or
greater than 5.5 kg, before further flight, replace the MRH with an
airworthy MRH.
(2) If the force to rotate the MRH swash-plate is less than 5.5
kg, inspect the MRH swash-plate assembly for vertical play in the
bearing. If there is vertical play in the bearing, before further
flight, replace the MRH with an airworthy MRH.
(2) Before installing an MRH, P/N 332A31-0001-05 or P/N 332A31-
001-06, with S/N M172, M216, M261, M308, M547, M561, M677, M811,
M859, M935, M936, M938, or M942 on any helicopter, inspect the MRH
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: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Policy 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) Additional Information
(1) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin, No. 62.00.73,
Revision 0, dated September 8, 2008, which is not incorporated by
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact American
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas
75053-4005; telephone (800) 232-0323; or at http://www.eurocopter.com. 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 the European Aviation
Safety Agency (France) Emergency AD No. 2008-0172-E, dated September
9, 2008.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail Rotor
System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 7, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-06132 Filed 3-19-13; 8:45 am]
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