[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14310-14312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5620]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0222; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-007-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 Model AS350 helicopters. This proposed AD is 
prompted by an in-flight fire caused by ignition of hydraulic fluid 
leaking from a damaged forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hose. 
The proposed actions are intended to prevent the forward servo-control 
hydraulic hoses from becoming damaged and leaking hydraulic fluid that 
could ignite in flight, which can result in loss of main rotor control, 
power loss, structural damage, propagation of fire, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 8, 2012.

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 
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 copies of 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, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5051; 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 AD No. 
2011-0033, dated March 1, 2011 (AD 2011-0033) to correct an unsafe 
condition for the Eurocopter AS350 B, BA, BB, D, B1, B2, and B3 
helicopters with a single hydraulic power system and forward (pitch) 
servo-control hydraulic hoses part number (P/N) 704A34-412-033 (other 
reference manufacturer's part number (MP/N) 675-102-05-01) and P/N 
704A34-412-035 (other reference MP/N 675-102-06-01) installed. EASA

[[Page 14311]]

advises that an in-flight fire in the main gearbox compartment occurred 
on an AS350B2 helicopter, ``caused by ignition of hydraulic fluid 
leaking from a hydraulic hose that had been damaged following an 
electrical fault in a circuit located in the compartment, which is not 
fire protected. An in-flight fire in the main gearbox compartment 
during a continued flight, when undetected or where a landing could not 
be performed immediately, could result in loss of hydraulics, shutdown 
of the engine because of fire effects, and damage to the Main Rotor (M/
R) control system.'' This condition, if not prevented, could lead to 
loss of M/R control, power loss, structural damage, propagation of fire 
into the cabin or other compartments, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter. For these reasons, AD 2011-0033 requires installation 
of protection sleeves on the affected hydraulic hoses.

FAA's Determination

    These products 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, their technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
their 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 helicopters of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 29.00.13, dated 
July 26, 2010 (ASB 29.00.13), which specifies installing two siliconed 
glass wool sleeves over both forward main rotor servo-control hydraulic 
hoses. EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and issued AD 2011-0033 to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 30 days, installing 
protection sleeves over the forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic 
hoses in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2 of ASB 29.00.13.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to the Eurocopter Model AS350 BB. The proposed 
AD does not, as this model is not type certificated in the U.S.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 695 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD. Disconnecting the servo control hoses, 
installing the protective sleeves, reconnecting the hoses, and testing 
for interference requires one work hour at an average labor rate of $85 
per hour. Required parts cost $212, for a total cost of $297 for each 
helicopter. Based upon these costs, we estimate a total cost to the 
U.S. operator fleet of $206,415.

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

    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

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
Airworthiness Directive (AD):

Eurocopter France Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2012-0222; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-SW-007-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350BA, 
AS350D, AS350B1, AS350B2, and AS350B3 helicopters, certificated in 
any category, with a single hydraulic power system and either of the 
following forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hoses installed: 
Part number (P/N) 704A34-412-033 (other reference manufacturer's 
part number (MP/N) 675-102-05-01), or P/N 704A34-412-035 (other 
reference MP/N 675-102-06-01); excluding those helicopters that have 
been modified in accordance with modification 074238.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as unprotected forward 
(pitch) servo-control hydraulic hoses, which could become damaged 
and leak hydraulic fluid that could ignite in flight. This condition 
could result in loss of main rotor control, power loss, structural 
damage, propagation of fire into the cabin or other compartments, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(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 30 days, install sleeve P/N 706A34-402-225 over 
hydraulic hose P/N 704A34-412-033 and sleeve P/N 706A34-402-224 over 
hydraulic hose P/N 704A34-412-035 in accordance with Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2, of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 
No. 29.00.13, dated July 26, 2010.
    (2) Do not install an affected hydraulic hose on any helicopter 
without a sleeve in accordance with paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this

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AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Wilbanks, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5051, email 
[email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a Part 119 operating 
certificate or under 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 European Aviation Safety 
Agency AD No. 2011-0033, dated March 15, 2011.

(g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2900: Hydraulic 
Power System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 24, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-5620 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P