[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31855-31857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12717]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0984; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-022-AD;
Amendment 39-17859; AD 2014-11-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Previously
Eurocopter France) (Airbus Helicopters) Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus
Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters to require measuring the
operating load of the cockpit fuel shut-off controls and replacing the
tangential gearbox if the operating load threshold is exceeded. This AD
was prompted by the jamming of the left-hand (LH) side of the fuel
shut-off and general cut-off controls (controls). The actions of this
AD are intended to prevent the jamming of the controls so that a pilot
can shut down an engine during an engine fire or during an emergency
landing.
DATES: This AD is effective July 8, 2014.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052;
telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at
http://www.airbushelicopters.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, the European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, 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: James Blyn, 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 November 25, 2013, at 78 FR 70242, the Federal Register
published our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Eurocopter
France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC225LP helicopters with a
tangential gearbox, part number 200181 or 704A34112012. The NPRM
proposed to require measuring the operating load of the cockpit fuel
shut-off controls and replacing the tangential gearbox if the operating
load threshold is exceeded. The proposed requirements were intended to
prevent the jamming of the controls so that a pilot can shut down an
engine during an engine fire or during an emergency landing.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2013-0098-E, dated April 24, 2013,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter
France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC 225 LP helicopters. EASA
advises that during maintenance on a helicopter, the LH side of the
cockpit's emergency shutdown controls were reported jammed, making it
impossible to operate the LH fuel shut-off and the general cut-out
handles. EASA states that this condition could lead to failure to
manually operate the emergency shutdown controls during an emergency
landing or fire. To address this unsafe condition, EASA AD No. 2013-
0098-E requires an operating load check of the two cockpit fuel shut-
off handles and, depending on findings, lubrication and/or replacement
of the two tangential gearboxes.
Since we issued the NPRM, Eurocopter France changed its name to
Airbus Helicopters, Inc. This AD reflects that change and updates the
contact information to obtain service documentation.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 70242, November
25, 2013).
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 for the minor changes
previously described. These changes are consistent with the intent of
the proposals in the NPRM (78 FR 70242, November 25, 2013) and will not
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
this AD.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires differing compliance times based on when the
helicopter's original Certificate of Airworthiness or Export
Certificate of Airworthiness was issued. This AD makes no distinction
regarding compliance times because there are only 4 affected aircraft
on the U.S. registry.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 76A001,
Revision 0, dated April 22, 2013, for the Model
[[Page 31856]]
EC225LP civil helicopter and the Model EC725AP military helicopter to
notify its operators that during a scheduled inspection of the fuel
shut-off controls, a mechanic noticed that one of the shut-off controls
jammed. This jamming made maneuvering the fuel shut-off and the general
cut-out controls impossible. After an investigation, Eurocopter
determined that the jamming originated in the tangential gearbox
installed on this control. Traces of corrosion were observed on the
internal bearings of the LH tangential gearbox, Eurocopter reported.
The jamming of the fuel cut-off control prevents the engine input fuel
valve and the engine compartment ventilation flap from closing and
prevents the activation of the general cut-out control.
Eurocopter consequently called for a mandatory ``check'' of the
fuel shut-off valve maneuvering loads, lubricating the tangential
gearbox bearings, and depending on the load measurement, replacing the
tangential gearbox.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 4 helicopters of U.S. Registry and
that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on these estimates, we
expect the following costs:
Measuring the operating load of the two cockpit fuel shut-
off controls require .25 work-hours for a labor cost of about $21, or
$84 for the U.S. fleet. No parts are needed.
Lubricating the tangential gearbox requires 4 work-hours.
The cost of consumable materials is minimal for a total cost of $340
per helicopter.
Replacing the tangential gearbox requires 4 work-hours for
a labor cost of $340. Parts cost $4,943 for a total cost of $5,283 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 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):
2014-11-08 Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter France):
Amendment 39-17859; Docket No. FAA-2013-0984; Directorate Identifier
2013-SW-012-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model EC225LP helicopters with a tangential
gearbox, part number (P/N) 200181 or 704A34112012, installed,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as the jamming of the fuel
shut-off and the general cut-off controls. This condition could
prevent a pilot from shutting down an engine during an engine fire
or emergency landing.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective July 8, 2014.
(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 15 hours time-in-service or 7 days, whichever occurs
first, measure the operating load of each cockpit fuel shut-off
control.
(i) If the operating load is more than 3 daN (6.74 ft-lb),
before further flight, lubricate each tangential gearbox and measure
the operating load of each cockpit fuel shut-off control.
(ii) If the operating load is less than or equal to 3 daN (6.74
ft-lb), within 6 months, lubricate each tangential gearbox and
measure the operating load of each cockpit fuel shut-off control.
(iii) If the operating load is more than 3 daN (6.74 ft-lb)
after lubricating the tangential gearbox, replace the affected
tangential gearbox before the next flight.
(2) Before installing a tangential gearbox, P/N 200181 or
704A34112012, lubricate the upper and lower bearings.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: James Blyn, 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. 76A001,
Revision 0, dated April 22, 2013, which is not incorporated by
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this
AD. For service information, contact Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701
N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or
(800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.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. 2013-0098-E, dated April 24, 2013. You
may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
in Docket No. FAA-2013-0984.
[[Page 31857]]
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: Engine Controls,
7600.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 21, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-12717 Filed 6-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P