[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 119 (Thursday, June 20, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37154-37156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14703]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0523; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-091-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France 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 France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2,
AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2,
AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters with sliding doors, except those with
modification AL.4262. This proposed AD would require removing from
service certain part-numbered nuts and washers from the lower ball-
joint bolt. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of a sliding door
detaching from the helicopter in flight. The proposed actions are
intended to prevent loss of the lower ball-joint nut, which could lead
to loss of the sliding door and damage to the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 19, 2013.
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 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, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
Texas
[[Page 37155]]
76137; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].
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 Union, has issued EASA AD
No. 2012-0205, dated October 1, 2012 (AD 2012-0205), to correct an
unsafe condition for Eurocopter Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350BB,
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2,
AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters with a sliding door installed, except
those with modification AL.4262. EASA advises that during a patrol
flight with the doors open, the right-hand (RH) sliding door became
detached and was lost in-flight. EASA states it was discovered that the
nut of the ball-joint bolt was missing, which allowed the ball-joint
bolt to detach from the door and the door to ``fall off'' the aircraft.
According to EASA, a check of the left-hand (LH) sliding door revealed
that the nut of the ball-joint bolt was not tightened, and could be
unscrewed by hand. EASA advises that the self-locking characteristics
of the nut were lost, possibly due to a defective assembly of the ball-
joint bolt by re-using a disposable part or improper nut tightening,
and is assumed to be the reason for the ball-joint attachment failure
and loss of the sliding door. This failure of the self-locking
characteristics of the nut could lead to loss of the sliding door in-
flight, potentially resulting in damage of the surrounding helicopter
structure and possible injury to persons on the ground. For these
reasons, EASA issued AD 2012-0205 to require modification AL.4262,
which specifies replacing each nut, part number (P/N) ASN52320BH060N,
and washer, P/N 23111AG0LE, with nut, P/N 22542K060, and lock-washer,
P/N 23351AC060LE, on the lower ball-joint bolt.
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 helicopters of the same type design.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS350-
52.00.34 for Model AS350 B, B1, B2, B3, BA, BB, D, and L1 helicopters
and ASB No. AS355-52.00.26 for Model AS355 E, F, F1, F2, N, and NP
helicopters, both Revision 0 and both dated July 9, 2012. The ASBs
describe procedures to replace the nuts and lock-washers on the LH and
RH sliding door lower ball-joint bolts with different part numbered
nuts and lock-washers, to ``double lock'' the lower ball-joint bolts.
Eurocopter designates the maintenance procedure and design change in
its ASBs as modification AL.4262.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require removing from service each nut, P/N
ASN52320BH060N, and each washer, P/N 23111AG0LE, within 165 hours time-
in-service (TIS) and replacing them with an airworthy nut and washer.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires replacing the lower ball-joint nut and washer
within 165 flight hours or 13 calendar months, while this proposed AD
would require replacing the affected lower ball joint nut and washer
within 165 hours TIS. In addition, this proposed AD would not apply to
the Model AS350BB as that helicopter is not type-certificated in the
U.S., but it would apply to Models AS350C and AS350D1 because those
models have a similar lower ball joint nut and washer.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 900 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs
in order to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per
hour, replacing the nuts and washers on the sliding doors would require
about 1 work-hour, and required parts costs would be minimal, for a
cost per helicopter of $85 and a total cost to U.S. operators of
$76,500.
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
[[Page 37156]]
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
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):
Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2013-0523; Directorate Identifier
2012-SW-091-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B,
AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E,
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters with
sliding doors installed, except those with modification AL.4262,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as loss of the self-locking
feature of the sliding door lower ball-joint nut. This condition
could result in detachment of the lower ball-joint bolt from the
sliding door and subsequent loss of the sliding door from the
helicopter in flight.
(c) Reserved
(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 165 hours time-in-service, remove each nut, part
number (P/N) ASN52320BH060N, and each washer, P/N 23111AG0LE, from
the left-hand and right-hand sliding door lower ball-joint bolts and
replace them with an airworthy nut and washer.
(2) Do not install a nut, P/N ASN52320BH060N, or washer, P/N
23111AG0LE, on any sliding door lower ball-joint bolt.
(f) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(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, Safety Management Group, 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
(1) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS350-52.00.34
for Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, BB and D and L1 helicopters and
ASB No. AS355-52.00.26 for Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, N, and NP
helicopters, both Revision 0 and both dated July 9, 2012, 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 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 (EASA) AD No. 2012-0205, dated October 1, 2012.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5200: Doors.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 13, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-14703 Filed 6-19-13; 8:45 am]
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