[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44513-44515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18463]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0794; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-04-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, 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 AS350B3 and EC130B4 helicopters. 
This proposed AD would require revising the Limitations section of the 
Rotorcraft flight Manual (RFM) to reduce the starter generator 
operating current to 180 amperes (amps) and installing a placard in the 
instrument panel indicating the revised limitation. This proposed AD is 
prompted by the determination that the manufacturer-installed Aircraft 
Parts Corporation (APC) starter generator has exceeded the shaft horse 
power extractions allowed for Turbomeca engines. The proposed actions 
are intended to prevent the engine surge margin being reduced, which 
can result in engine failure.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 28, 
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.
     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

[[Page 44514]]

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: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5110, 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 AD No. 
2006-0337, dated November 7, 2006, to correct an unsafe condition for 
the Eurocopter Model AS350B3 and EC130B4 helicopters. EASA advises that 
the power drawn by an APC 200 amps starter generator from the engine is 
above the consumption capacity for the specified Eurocopter model 
helicopters. Excessive power consumption of the starter generator 
reduces the engine surge margin, which can result in engine failure.

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 
its 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 products of these same type designs.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) No. 01.00.57 
for the Model AS350B3 helicopters and No. 04A002 for the Model EC130B4 
helicopters. Both ASBs are Revision 1 and both are dated September 14, 
2006. The ASBs specify defining the limitation for the APC 200-amp 
starter generator. EASA classified these ASBs as mandatory and issued 
AD No. 2006-0337, dated November 7, 2006, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within the next 100 hours time-in-
service (TIS), revising the Limitations section of the RFM to reduce 
the starter generator rating to 180 amps and installing a placard on 
the instrument panel below the vehicle engine multifunction display 
indicating the starter generator reduced limitation: ``MAXIMUM 
CONTINUOUS GENERATOR LOAD 180A.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    We would require that this proposed AD be accomplished within 100 
hours TIS, rather than 110 flight hours or 12 months as stated in the 
EASA AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 363 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD: It would cost $21.25, assuming it 
takes 15 minutes to revise the RFM and install a placard on the 
instrument panel of each helicopter at an average labor rate of $85 per 
work hour, or $7,714 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 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.

[[Page 44515]]

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-2012-0794; Directorate Identifier 
2006-SW-04-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model AS350B3 and EC130B4 helicopters with an 
Aircraft Parts Corporation (APC) 200-ampere (amp) starter generator, 
part number (P/N) 200SGL130Q, installed, certificated in any 
category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as excessive power 
consumption of the starter generator, which reduces the engine surge 
margin. This condition could result in engine failure 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) Revise Paragraph 2, Limitations, of the Rotorcraft Flight 
Manual (RFM) Supplement 29 to reduce the maximum current of the 
starter generator to 180 amps Max. continuous.
    (2) Install a placard, 125 millimeters long by 10 millimeters 
wide, on the instrument panel below the vehicle engine multifunction 
display indicating the starter generator reduced limitation: 
``MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS GENERATOR LOAD = 180A.''

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal 
to: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5110, fax (817) 222-5961, 
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.

(f) Additional Information

    (1) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletins No. 01.00.57 and No. 
04A002, both Revision 1, and both dated September 14, 2006, which 
are not incorporated by reference, contain additional information 
about the subject of this AD. 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. 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.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD No. 2006-0337, dated November 7, 2006.

(g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: Starter-Generator 
2435.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 20, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-18463 Filed 7-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P