[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43801-43803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17757]



[[Page 43801]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0721; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-56-AD; 
Amendment 39-16370; AD 2010-15-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (ECF) Model EC225LP 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
specified ECF Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD results from a 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the 
aviation authority of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which 
is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. 
The MCAI AD states there have been a ``few'' reports of cracks and 
failure of the main rotor hub (MRH) cone restrainer support lugs at 
their attachment points on the reinforcement ring where the dome 
fairing is secured. Also, cracks on the dome fairing support have been 
reported. Failure of the cone restrainer support or the dome fairing 
support attachment lugs may lead to loss of the dome fairing, damage to 
the rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 11, 2010.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 11, 2010.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 27, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this AD from 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com.
    Examining the 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 economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is stated in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Gary Roach, 
ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations 
and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, 
telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Community, has issued EASA AD 2009-0024, dated February 20, 
2009, to correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Model EC225LP 
helicopters.
    The MCAI AD states there have been a ``few'' reports of cracks and 
failure of the MRH cone restrainer support lugs in the area of their 
attachment points on the reinforcement ring where the dome fairing is 
secured. Also, cracks on the dome fairing support have been reported. 
Failure of the cone restrainer support or the dome fairing support 
attachment lugs may lead to loss of the dome fairing, damage to the 
rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter or 
injury to persons on the ground.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI AD and any 
related service information in the AD docket.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) 
No. 05A003, Revision 2, dated February 3, 2009 (EASB No. 05A003) for 
two different helicopters: the Model EC225LP and the military Model 
EC725AP, a non-FAA type certificated helicopter. Eurocopter has also 
issued EASB No. 62-007, dated July 10, 2009 (SB 62-007), which 
corresponds to MOD 0743718. EASB 05A003 specifies checking the MRH in 
the area of the cone restrainer support attachment lugs and the dome 
fairing support attachment lugs for a crack. If a crack is found in one 
of the five lugs of the cone restrainer support or the dome fairing 
support, the EASB specifies complying with SB 62-007 before further 
flight. SB 62-007 specifies modifying the MRH by replacing the cone 
restrainer support and the dome fairing support, reidentifying those 
parts and balancing the main rotor blades if they were removed. The 
actions described in the MCAI AD are intended to correct the unsafe 
condition identified in the service information.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of 
France and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, their Technical Agent, has 
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 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 this same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    We do not specify dates because the dates have already passed nor 
do we specify the compliance time in days but rather only in hours 
time-in-service (TIS). We also use a different compliance time. Also, 
we use inspect rather than check when referring to an action required 
by a mechanic as opposed to a pilot.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 4 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 30 work-hours per 
helicopter to inspect and modify the MRH. The average labor rate is $85 
per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $18,981 per helicopter. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators will be $86,124, assuming a crack is found in each MRH cone 
restrainer support or dome fairing support attachment lugs.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this

[[Page 43802]]

AD. We find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice 
and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of the short 
compliance time of 15 hours TIS to conduct the inspection for a crack 
in the attachment lugs. Failure of these lugs could result in loss of 
control of the helicopter. Therefore, we have determined that notice 
and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send us any written data, views, or 
arguments concerning this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section of this AD. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-
0721; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-56-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to  http://www.regulations.gov including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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 product(s) identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that 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.
    Therefore, I certify this AD:
    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); and
    3. 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

0
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):

2010-15-04 EUROCOPTER FRANCE: Amendment 39-16370. Docket No. FAA-
2010-0721; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-57-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on August 11, 2010.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model EC225LP helicopters, except those 
that have been modified with MOD 0743718, certificated in any 
category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD 
states there have been a ``few'' reports of cracks and failure of 
the main rotor hub (MRH) cone restrainer support lugs at their 
attachment points on the reinforcement ring where the dome fairing 
is secured. Also, cracks on the dome fairing support have been 
reported. Failure of the cone restrainer support or the dome fairing 
support attachment lugs may lead to loss of the dome fairing, damage 
to the rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Required as indicated:
    (1) Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless already done, 
and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15 hours TIS, visually 
inspect for a crack in the area of the attachment points on the MRH 
reinforcement ring of the lugs securing the cone restrainer support 
and also of the lugs securing the dome fairing support as depicted 
in Figures 1 and 2 of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 
No. 05A003, Revision 2, dated February 3, 2009 (EASB No. 05A003) and 
by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.1, of 
EASB No. 05A003.

    Note:  The one EASB No. 05A003 applies to two different model 
helicopters: Eurocopter Model EC225LP helicopters that are type-
certificated in the United States and Eurocopter Model EC725AP 
military helicopters that are not type-certificated in the United 
States.

    (2) If a crack is found in the area of any of the lugs of the 
cone restrainer support or the dome fairing support, as depicted in 
Figures 1 and 2 of EASB No. 05A003, before further flight, modify 
the MRH by replacing both the cone restrainer support and the dome 
fairing support assembly by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 2.B.1. and 2.B.2., reidentify the cone 
restrainer support and dome fairing assembly by following paragraph 
2.D., and if removed, track and balance the main rotor blades by 
following paragraph 3.B.3. of Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 62-
007, Revision 1, dated July 10, 2009.
    (f) Replacing and reidentifying both the cone restrainer support 
and the dome fairing support assembly in accordance with paragraph 
(e)(2) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the 
requirements of this AD.

Differences Between this AD and the MCAI AD

    (g) We do not specify dates because the dates are already passed 
nor do we specify the time in days but rather only in hours TIS. We 
also use a different initial compliance time. Also, we use inspect 
rather than check when referring to an action required by a mechanic 
as opposed to a pilot.

Other Information

    (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, ATTN: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Gary Roach, 
ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
Regulations and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested, using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

[[Page 43803]]

    (i) A special flight permit may be issued to ferry the 
helicopter to a location where the modification can be done, 
provided the dome fairing and its attachment screws are removed. 
When allowing flight with the dome fairing removed, the special 
flight permit must contain information that alerts the flight crew 
that when flying without the dome fairing, the lateral vibrations of 
the helicopter significantly increase at speeds of 70 to 120 knots. 
These lateral vibrations do not affect flight safety.

Related Information

    (j) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness 
Directive No. 2009-0024, dated February 20, 2009, contains related 
information.

Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code

    (k) The JASC Code is 6220: Main Rotor Head.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use the specified portions of Eurocopter Emergency 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 05A003, Revision 2, dated February 3, 
2009, and Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 62-007, Revision 1, dated 
July 10, 2009, to do the actions required.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at 
http://www.eurocopter.com.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas, 
76137; or 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 July 13, 2010.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-17757 Filed 7-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P