[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 144 (Thursday, July 26, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43738-43740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18256]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0772; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-053-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 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC130 B4 helicopters with a cabin 
vibration damper installed. This proposed AD is prompted by a crack and 
failure of a cabin vibration damper

[[Page 43739]]

blade. The proposed actions are intended to modify the cabin vibration 
damper assembly to prevent contact with the flight controls in the 
event of a cabin vibration blade failure, jamming of a flight control, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 24, 
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 Forum Drive Grand Prairie, TX 
75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com. 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: Gary Roach, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 
76137; telephone: (817) 222-5130, fax: 817-222-5961; 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. 2006-0278, dated September 7, 2006 (AD 2006-0278), to correct an 
unsafe condition for Eurocopter Model EC130 B4 helicopters. EASA 
advises of a cracked cabin vibration damper blade, which could lead to 
jamming of a flight control.

FAA's Determination

    This helicopter model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to the 
applicable bilateral agreement, EASA has kept the FAA informed of the 
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of EASA, 
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for helicopters of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    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 (ASB) No. 53A008, 
Revision 0, dated July 19, 2006 (ASB 53A008), which supersedes ASB No. 
05A002, Revision 0, dated July 18, 2006, and specifies installing a 
cabin vibration damper containment device. EASA classified ASB 53A008 
as mandatory and issued AD 2006-0278 to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, depending on the modification 
status of the helicopter, complying with certain portions of ASB 
53A008.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires two daily visual inspections for cracks in the 
blade of each cabin vibration damper and replacement of a blade if 
there is a crack; this proposed AD does not. The EASA AD requires 
compliance by a calendar date. This proposed AD requires compliance 
within 100 hours time-in-service.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 122 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD.
     $340 for 4 work hours to install a vibration damper casing 
assembly at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour,
     $1,500 for required parts per helicopter, and
     $224,480 total cost for the fleet.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a

[[Page 43740]]

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: Docket No. FAA-2012-0772; Directorate Identifier 
2007-SW-053-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC130 B4 helicopters with a cabin 
vibration damper installed, except those modified in accordance with 
Modification 073565, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a cracked cabin 
vibration damper blade. This condition could result in failure of 
the blade, jamming of the flight controls, 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

    Within the next 100 hours time-in-service:
    (1) For helicopters that have not been modified in accordance 
with Modification 073521 or Modification 073525, install a vibration 
damper casing assembly on both sides of the helicopter by following 
paragraphs 2.B.2.a, and 2.B.5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (SB) No. 53A008, dated July 19, 
2006 (ASB 53A008).
    (2) For helicopters that have been modified in accordance with 
Modification 073521 either at the time of manufacture or pursuant to 
Eurocopter SB No. 53-006, Revision 1, dated September 30, 2004; or 
Modification 073525 either at the time of manufacture or pursuant to 
Eurocopter SB No. 53-007, Revision 1, dated February 19, 2007, 
install a vibration damper casing assembly on both sides of the 
helicopter by following paragraphs 2.B.3.a, 2.B.3.b, and 2.B.5 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 53A008.

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to Gary Roach, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 
telephone: (817) 222-5130, fax 817-222-5961; email 
[email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under 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.

(f) Additional Information

    (1) Eurocopter Service Bulletin (SB) No. 53-006, Revision 1, 
dated September 30, 2004; SB No. 53-007, Revision 1, dated February 
19, 2007; and Alert SB No. 05A002, Revision 0, dated July 18, 2006, 
which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional 
information about the subject of this AD. For service information 
identified in this proposed 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. 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 AD No. 2006-0278, dated September 7, 2006.

(g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 1810 Helicopter 
Vibration Analysis.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 18, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-18256 Filed 7-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P