[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23107-23109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08763]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1087; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-32-AD;
Amendment 39-17424; AD 2013-08-07]
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 (ECF) Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters to require
an initial and repetitive inspections of the outer skin, butt strap,
and fuselage frame for a crack and modification of the helicopter. This
AD was prompted by an AD issued by the
[[Page 23108]]
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European Union, which states that a crack
was discovered in a fuselage frame during a daily check. The actions of
this AD are intended to detect a crack, to prevent loss of airframe
structural integrity and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective May 23, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of May 23, 2013.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie,
Texas 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: 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 October 16, 2012, at 77 FR 63262, 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 certain ECF Model
AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters without modification (MOD) 0722907. That
NPRM proposed to require an initial and repetitive visual inspections
for a crack in the outer skin and the butt strap in the sliding cowling
right-hand and left-hand rail attachment areas on Frame 5295, and if
there is a crack, inspecting for a crack in Frame 5295 and repairing
any cracked part. The NPRM also proposed to require modifying each
helicopter with MOD 0726478R2 on the sliding cowling rails and shims in
the attachment areas on Frame 5295. The proposed requirements were
intended to detect a crack, to prevent loss of airframe structural
integrity and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
EASA issued EASA AD No. 2008-0035-E, dated February 21, 2008, to
correct an unsafe condition for the ECF Model AS 332 C, C1, L, and L1
helicopters. EASA advises that a crack was discovered on an ECF Model
AS332L helicopter in fuselage frame 5295, which has plates and angles
assembled by riveting that corresponds to the first generation frame
(before MOD 0722907). The crack in the frame was found because of a
crack in the outer skin and in the butt strap where the rail of the
main gear box (MGB) sliding cowling is attached to the frame.
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 63262,
October 16, 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, except we have updated the
contact information for American Eurocopter Corporation. This minor
editorial change is consistent with the intent of the proposals in the
NPRM (77 FR 63262, October 16, 2012) and will not increase the economic
burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
This AD requires you to repair Frame 5295 before further flight
rather than contacting the manufacturer. This AD refers to a check as
an inspection to be performed by a mechanic versus a check that a pilot
can do if specifically allowed by the AD. This AD also does not list
the Model AS332C1 in the applicability because this model is not type
certificated in the U.S. This AD also does not allow further flight
with the outer skin or butt strap cracked unless it is a ferry flight
to a repair facility.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.76, Revision
0, dated February 20, 2008 (ASB), which specifies checking for a crack
on the outside of the helicopter, on the skin, and the butt strap near
the sliding cowling rail attachment. If a crack is found in the outer
skin or butt strap, the ASB specifies visually checking for a crack in
Frame 5295. The ASB specifies doing MOD 0726478R2, which consists of
cutting out a section of the sliding cowling rails. This cut-out
exposes the splice near the rail attachment holes, making it easier to
detect a crack in the frame during the 10-hour repetitive inspection
and thus reducing the risks of a crack going undetected in Frame 5295.
Also, the ASB specifies contacting the manufacturer for the
``appropriate repair sheet according to how the crack is situated'' if
there is a crack in Area 1 of Frame 5295. EASA classified this ASB as
mandatory and issued AD No. 2008-0035-E, dated February 21, 2008, to
ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 5 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in
order to comply with this AD. We estimate that it will take about 4.25
work-hours per helicopter to initially inspect for a crack and to
modify the MGB sliding cowling rails. Each 10-hour repetitive
inspection will take about 0.25 work-hour. The average labor rate is
$85 per work-hour and required parts will cost about $1,793 per
helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators will be $17,145 or $3,429 per helicopter, assuming 60
repetitive inspections will be performed each year and assuming the
entire fleet is modified and no cracks are found.
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.
[[Page 23109]]
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):
2013-08-07 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-17424; Docket No. FAA-
2012-1087; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-32-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to all Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters
without modification (MOD) 0722907, except helicopters with serial
numbers 2078 and 2102, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in the outer
skin, butt strap, or fuselage frame, which could result in loss of
airframe structural integrity, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective May 23, 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
(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) for helicopters that
have 8,800 or more hours TIS or before or upon reaching 8,810 hours
TIS for helicopters that have less than 8,800 hours TIS, and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, visually inspect
for a crack on the outer skin and the butt strap in the sliding
cowling right-hand and left-hand rail attachment areas on Frame 5295
as shown in Figure 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No.
05.00.76, Revision 0, dated February 20, 2008 (ASB).
(i) If there is a crack in the outer skin or in the butt strap
per paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, before further flight, inspect for
a crack in Frame 5295 in the areas shown in Figure 3, Area 1, and
Figure 4, of the ASB.
(ii) If there is a crack in the outer skin, the butt strap, or
in Frame 5295 in the areas inspected as required by this AD, before
further flight, repair the part in accordance with a method approved
by the FAA.
(2) Within 300 hours TIS, for each helicopter that has 8,800 or
more hours TIS, modify the sliding cowling rails and shims in the
attachment areas on Frame 5295 (corresponds to MOD 0726478R2), as
depicted in Figure 5 and by following the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3., of the ASB.
(f) Special Flight Permits
A special flight permit is permitted for a helicopter with a
crack in the outer skin or butt strap to operate the helicopter to a
location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. A
special flight permit is not permitted for a helicopter with a crack
in Frame 5295.
(g) 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.
(h) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency (France) AD No. 2008-0035-E, dated February 21, 2008.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5311, Fuselage,
Main Frame.
(j) 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. 05.00.76, Revision 0,
dated February 20, 2008.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD,
contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, Texas 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 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 8, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08763 Filed 4-17-13; 8:45 am]
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