[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44043-44045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17628]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0635; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-081-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 EC225LP helicopters. This proposed
AD
[[Page 44044]]
would require inspecting the swashplates for corrosion or a crack, and
making the appropriate repairs or replacement of parts. This proposed
AD is prompted by the discovery of corrosion on the swashplates when
the main rotor hub (MRH) assemblies were reconditioned. The proposed
actions are intended to detect corrosion or a crack in the swashplates,
which could lead to failure of the swashplate and subsequent loss of
helicopter control.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 23,
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 foreign
authority's 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: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
Texas 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. 2012-0131, dated July 31, 2012, to correct an unsafe condition for
Eurocopter Model EC225LP helicopters. EASA advises that corrosion has
been reported on the rotating and stationary swashplates of the MRH
assembly of several helicopters. This condition may cause cracks on the
swashplates, which may cause failure of MRH parts and loss of control
of the helicopter. The EASA AD requires repetitive inspections of the
affected swashplates after two years and replacing the MRH assembly if
a crack is found.
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 products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC225-05A030,
Revision 0, dated July 12, 2012 (ASB). The ASB states that while
reconditioning the main rotor mast (MRM) assemblies, Eurocopter found
corrosion on the rotating and stationary swashplates under the
retaining flanges of the swashplate sub-assembly bearing. Over time,
this corrosion could initiate a crack. The ASB specifies inspecting the
MRM assembly for corrosion or a crack and replacing the MRM assembly if
a crack or corrosion is found. The FAA and EASA use the term MRH
assembly, while Eurocopter uses MRM assembly to describe the same
section of the helicopter.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require:
Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the MRH assembly
accumulates 1,320 hours TIS, whichever occurs later, and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 1,320 hours TIS, visually inspecting the
rotating and stationary swashplates for corrosion or a crack.
If a crack exists in the rotating or stationary swashplates,
replacing the MRH assembly with an airworthy MRH.
If corrosion exists without any visual indication of cracking,
doing the following: Before further flight, installing a placard
stating ``NO FLIGHT IN OAT BELOW -30[deg]C'' in the full view of the
pilots and inserting the same statement in the Limitations Section,
Section 2.3 Flight Envelope, Item 2 Temperature Limits, of the
helicopter's Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM).
Within 150 hours TIS or 6 months after the inspection when the
corrosion was first detected, whichever occurs first, replacing the MRH
assembly with an airworthy assembly, removing any placard that states
``NO FLIGHT IN OAT BELOW -30[deg]C'' from the helicopter, and removing
any related limitation from the RFM.
Replacing an MRH assembly would not constitute terminating action
for the repetitive inspections.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect three helicopters of
U.S. Registry and that labor costs would average $85 per work-hour.
Based on these estimates, we expect the following costs:
Inspecting the rotating and stationary swashplates for
corrosion or a crack would require 8 work-hours for a cost of $680 per
helicopter and $2,040 for the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle. Making
and installing the placard
[[Page 44045]]
would require 0.5 work-hour, for a cost of $43 per helicopter. The
labor cost of installing paper in the flight manual would be negligible
for a helicopter.
Replacing the MRH assembly would require 24 work-hours and
parts would cost $5,000, for a total cost of $7,040 per helicopter.
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 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 HELICOPTERS (Eurocopter): Docket No. FAA-2013-
0635; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-081-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter Model EC225LP helicopters with a
main rotor hub (MRH) assembly with a rotating swashplate, part
number (P/N) 332A31-3074-00 or 332A31-3076-00, and stationary
swashplate, P/N 332A31-3079-00 or 332A31-3079-01, installed,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as corrosion or a crack in
the stationary or rotating swashplate of the MRH assembly, which
could lead to failure of the swashplate and subsequent loss of
helicopter control.
(c) 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.
(d) Required Actions
(1) Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the MRH
assembly accumulates 1,320 hours TIS, whichever occurs later, and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,320 hours TIS, visually
inspect the rotating and stationary swashplates for corrosion or a
crack by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2
and Figures 1 through 3, of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No.
EC225-05A030, Revision 0, dated July 12, 2012 (ASB).
(2) If a crack exists in the rotating or stationary swashplates,
replace the MRH assembly with an airworthy MRH.
(3) If corrosion exists without any visual indication of
cracking, do the following:
(i) Before further flight, install a placard stating ``NO FLIGHT
IN OAT BELOW -30 [deg]C'' in the full view of the pilots and add the
statement ``NO FLIGHT IN OAT BELOW -30 [deg]C'' to the Operating
Limitations Section of the helicopter's Rotorcraft Flight Manual
(RFM) by making pen and ink changes or by inserting a copy of this
AD in Section 2.3 Flight Envelope, Item 2 Temperature Limits.
(ii) Within 150 hours TIS or 6 months after the inspection when
the corrosion was first detected, whichever occurs first, replace
the MRH assembly with an airworthy assembly. Remove any placard that
states ``NO FLIGHT IN OAT BELOW -30 [deg]C'' from the helicopter and
remove any related limitation from the RFM.
(4) Replacement of an MRH assembly does not constitute
terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by
paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
(e) 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.
(f) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2012-0131, dated July 31, 2012. You may
view a copy of the EASA AD in the AD Docket on the Internet at
http://www.regulations.gov.
(g) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6230, Main Rotor
Mast/Swashplate.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 11, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17628 Filed 7-22-13; 8:45 am]
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