[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35346-35348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14248]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0551; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-013-AD;
Amendment 39-16714; AD 2011-12-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365C, SA-
365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
the specified Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) helicopters. This action
requires visually inspecting the adhesive bead between the bushing and
the Starflex star (Starflex) arm for a crack, a gap, or loss of the
adhesive bead, inspecting the Starflex arm ends for delamination, and
replacing the Starflex if any of these conditions are found. This
amendment is prompted by three cases of deterioration of a Starflex
arm. In two of these cases, the deterioration caused high amplitude
vibrations in flight, compelling the pilot to make a precautionary
landing. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent
failure of the Starflex, high-amplitude vibrations in flight, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective July 5, 2011.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 5, 2011.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before August 16, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
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 docket that contains the
AD, any comments, and other information 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 Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Grigg, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group (ASW-112), 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5126; fax: (817)
222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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. 2008-0165, dated August 28, 2008 (AD No. 2008-0165), which
supersedes EASA Emergency AD No. 2006-0321-E, dated October 18, 2006,
to correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Model SA-365C, SA-
365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1
helicopters. EASA issued AD No. 2008-0165 as a result of the issuance
of Revision 3 of Eurocopter
[[Page 35347]]
Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) Numbers 05.00.51, 05.35, 05.28,
and 05.00.21 (military only). EASA advises that their AD was issued
following three reported cases of deterioration of a Starflex arm end.
They state that in two of these cases, the deterioration caused high
amplitude vibrations in flight, compelling the pilot to carry out a
precautionary landing. EASA further states that if the Starflex arm end
fails, high-amplitude vibrations could make it difficult to control the
helicopter.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued one EASB, which applies to four different
series helicopters, each with a different EASB number: No. 05.00.51 for
the 365N series; No. 05.35 for the 366G1; No. 05.28 for the 365C
series; and No. 05.00.21 for non-type certificated military
helicopters; all Revision 3, and all dated August 18, 2008. This EASB
specifies ``checks of the bushes'' installed on Starflex arm ends and
reduces the interval between successive checks ``in order to be able to
detect any bush bonding failure or distortion of a Starflex arm end as
rapidly as possible.'' EASA classified this EASB as mandatory and
issued AD No. 2008-0165 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
helicopters.
FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
member states of the European Union and are approved for operation in
the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with France,
EASA, their technical representative, has notified us of the unsafe
condition described in their 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 the same type designs. Therefore, this AD is being issued to prevent
the failure of the Starflex, high amplitude vibrations in flight, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD requires, within
10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 10 hours TIS, visually inspecting the adhesive bead between the
bushing and the Starflex arm for a crack, a gap, or loss of the
adhesive bead, inspecting the Starflex arm ends for delamination, and
replacing the Starflex if any of these conditions are found. Accomplish
the actions by following specified portions of the EASB described
previously.
The short compliance time involved is required because the
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the
structural integrity and controllability of the helicopter. Therefore,
the actions described previously are required at very short TIS
intervals, and this AD must be issued immediately.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
We have reviewed the EASA AD, and our AD differs from the EASA AD
as follows:
The EASA AD uses the term ``check.'' We instead use the
term ``inspect.''
The EASA AD uses the terms ``bush'' and ``bushes.'' We
instead use the terms ``bushing'' and ``bushings.''
The EASA AD uses the term ``flying hours.'' We instead use
the term ``time-in-service.''
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect about 37 helicopters of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 0.25 work-hour per
helicopter to inspect the Starflex arm end, and 10 work-hours to remove
and replace the Starflex star, if necessary. The average labor rate is
$85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $33,794. Based on
these figures, we estimate that the total annual cost of this AD on
U.S. operators is $50,369, assuming 20 inspections are conducted on
each helicopter and assuming one Starflex star is replaced each year.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0551; Directorate
Identifier 2009-SW-13-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 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
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the
docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
Regulatory Findings
We have 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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); 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. See the AD docket to examine the economic evaluation.
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.
[[Page 35348]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends Part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
2011-12-07 Eurocopter France (Eurocopter): Amendment 39-16714;
Docket No. FAA-2011-0551; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-013-AD.
Applicability: Models SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-
365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters; certificated
in any category.
Compliance: Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS.
To prevent the failure of the Starflex star (Starflex) arm, high
amplitude vibrations in flight, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Visually inspect the adhesive bead between the bushing and
the Starflex arm for a crack, a gap, or loss of the adhesive bead,
and inspect the Starflex arm ends for delamination in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.1 and 2.B.2 of
Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 05.00.51 for
the 365N series helicopters, No. 05.35 for the 366G1 model
helicopter, or No. 05.28 for the 365C series helicopters, all
Revision 3, and all dated August 18, 2008.
Note 1: The one Eurocopter EASB contains four different service
bulletin numbers: No. 05.00.51, No. 05.35; and No. 05.28 for the
model helicopters affected by this AD; and No. 05.00.21 for non-type
certificated military helicopters.
(b) If there is a crack in the shockproof paint around the
entire adhesive bead where the Starflex arm joins the bushing (as
shown in Figure 2 of the applicable EASB), a gap between the
adhesive bead and the bushing (as shown in Figure 3 of the
applicable EASB), delamination of a Starflex arm end (as shown in
Figure 4 of the applicable EASB), or loss of adhesive bead (as shown
in Figure 5 of the applicable EASB), replace the Starflex before
further flight.
(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Manager, Safety Management Group, Attn: DOT/FAA
Southwest Region, Jim Grigg, ASW-112, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5126;
fax: (817) 222-5961, for information about previously approved
alternative methods of compliance.
(d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6200:
Main Rotor System.
(e) The inspection shall be done in accordance with the
specified portions of Eurocopter France Emergency Alert Service
Bulletins No. 05.00.51, No. 05.35, or No. 05.28. All three of the
Alert Service Bulletins are Revision 3 and all are dated August 18,
2008. The Director of the Federal Register approved this
incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1
CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained 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. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas, 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
This amendment becomes effective on July 5, 2011.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in European
Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2008-0165, dated August 28, 2008.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 25, 2011.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-14248 Filed 6-16-11; 8:45 am]
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