[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51115-51117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20312]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0737; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-111-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
certain Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1,
AS332L2, and SA330J helicopters. This proposed AD would require
inspecting the crimping of the ball joint of the upper- and lower- end-
fittings of the main servo-control and, depending on findings,
replacing the main servo-control or repairing the ball joint. This
proposed AD is prompted by incidents of missing crimping on the ball
joints of servo-control end-fittings. The proposed actions are intended
to prevent failure of a main servo-control upper end fitting, and
subsequent failure of the flight controls and loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 21,
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.
[[Page 51116]]
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: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, 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. 2012-0248, dated November 20, 2012, to correct an unsafe condition
for Eurocopter AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, AS 332 L2, and
SA 330 J helicopters with certain part-numbered main servo-controls
installed. EASA advises that several occurrences were reported to
Eurocopter of missing crimping on ball joints of servo-control end-
fittings. EASA states that while slipping of the ball joint of the
lower end-fitting does not affect its service life, slipping of the
ball joint of the upper end-fitting can lead to a significant reduction
of the service life of this end-fitting. As a result, the EASA AD
requires inspecting each ball joint for crimping and, depending on the
findings, replacing the main servo-control.
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
Eurocopter issued one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) with
three different numbers, all Revision 1, and all dated December 5,
2012. EASB No. 67.00.45 applies to civilian Model AS332C, AS332C1,
AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and military Model AS332B, AS332B1, AS332M,
AS332M1, and AS332F1 helicopters. EASB No. 67.00.31 applies to military
Model AS532AC, AS532AL, AS532SC, AS532UC, AS532UE, AS532UL, AS532A2,
and AS532U2 helicopters. EASB No. 67.19 applies to civilian Model
SA330J and military Model SA330Ba, SA330Ca, SA330Ea, SA330L, SA330Jm,
SA330S1, and SA330Sm helicopters. The EASB specifies visually checking
for crimping of the ball joints of the upper- and lower- servo control
end-fittings and informing the Eurocopter Technical Support Department
of any ball joint that is not crimped. For an upper end-fitting ball
joint that is not crimped and slips one millimeter (mm) or greater, the
EASB specifies returning the servo-control for replacement of the ball
joint and the end-fitting. For an upper end-fitting ball joint that is
not crimped and slips less than one mm, the EASB specifies either
crimping the ball joint or returning the servo-control for ball joint
crimping. For a lower end-fitting ball joint that is not crimped, the
EASB states to crimp the ball joint. The EASB also states that if a
ball joint is crimped, no action on that ball joint is required in
regard to this unsafe condition.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require visually inspecting the applicable
ball joint of the upper and lower end-fittings of the main servo
control for crimping. If the ball joint of the upper end-fitting is not
crimped and the slipping of the ball joint is one mm or greater, then
this proposed AD would require replacing the servo-control with an
airworthy servo-control. If the ball joint of the upper end-fitting is
not crimped and the slipping of the ball joint is less than one mm,
then this proposed AD would require replacing the servo-control with an
airworthy servo-control or crimping the ball joint. If the ball joint
of the lower end-fitting is not crimped, this proposed AD would require
crimping the ball joint.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 18 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs
in order to comply with this AD. We estimate it would take 1 work-hour
to inspect the ball joint for crimping at an average labor cost of $85
per work-hour. Based on these figures, it would cost about $85 per
helicopter for the inspection, or $1,530 for U.S. operators. We
estimate it would take 4 work-hours to replace a servo-control and
parts would cost approximately $60,358 for a total estimated cost of
$60,698 for replacement.
According to Eurocopter's service information some of the costs of
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty
coverage by
[[Page 51117]]
Eurocopter or UTC Actuation Systems/Goodrich Actuation Systems.
Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.
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 proposed 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 (Eurocopter) Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2013-
0737; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-111-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to the following model helicopters, certificated
in any category, with a part-numbered main servo-control listed
below: overhauled or repaired by UTC Actuation Systems/Goodrich
Actuation Systems between June 1, 2008, and September 15, 2012,
inclusive; or with a serial number listed in Appendix 1 of
Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 67.00.45 or 67.19,
both Revision 1, and both dated December 5, 2012 (EASB):
(1) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters with
main servo-control, part number (P/N) SC7202, SC7202-(all dash
numbers), SC7203, SC7203-(all dash numbers), SC7221, or SC7221-(all
dash numbers), installed; and
(2) Model SA330J helicopters with main servo-control P/N SC7111,
SC7111-(all dash numbers) SC7112, or SC7112-(all dash numbers),
installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as missing crimping on a
ball joint of a main servo-control end-fitting. This condition could
result in failure of a main servo-control upper end fitting, failure
of the flight controls, and loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by October 21, 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 85 hours time-in-service (TIS):
(i) Using a light source, inspect the ball joint of the upper
end-fitting of the main servo control for crimping in accordance
with Detail A and Detail B, Figure 1, of the EASB applicable to your
model helicopter.
(A) If the upper ball joint is not crimped and the ball joint
slips a distance of 1 millimeter (mm) or greater, replace the servo-
control with an airworthy servo-control.
(B) If the upper ball joint is not crimped and the ball joint
slips a distance of less than 1mm, either crimp the ball joint or
replace the servo-control with an airworthy servo-control.
(ii) Using a light source, inspect the ball joint of the lower
end-fitting of the main servo-control for crimping in accordance
with Detail A and Detail B, Figure 1, of the EASB applicable to your
model helicopter. If the lower ball joint is not crimped, crimp the
ball joint.
(2) Prior to installing any servo-control that is affected by
this AD, perform the required actions in accordance with paragraphs
(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: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 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
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2012-0248, dated November 20, 2012. You may
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in
Docket No. FAA-2013-0737.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6730, Rotor Flight
Control--Rotorcraft Servo System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 12, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-20312 Filed 8-19-13; 8:45 am]
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