[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1739-1742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31682]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0632; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-044-AD; 
Amendment 39-17305; AD 2012-26-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 
365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2, and SA-366G1 
helicopters. This AD requires inspecting portions of the main gearbox 
(MGB) for the presence of sealing compound and corrosion. This AD was 
prompted by reports of corrosion on the main MGB casing lower area 
between the two servo-control anchoring fitting attachment ribs. An 
investigation determined that the corrosion was associated with sealing 
compound on the lower part of the fitting/casing attachment. The 
actions in this AD are intended to detect corrosion on the MGB casing, 
which could lead to a crack, failure of the MGB, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective February 13, 2013.

[[Page 1740]]

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of February 13, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 
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.

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 AD, any incorporated-by-reference 
service information, the economic evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations 
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-
140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-4389; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On June 18, 2012, at 77 FR 36220, the Federal Register published 
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Eurocopter Model SA-
365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-366G1, SA-
365C, SA-365C1, and SA-365C2 helicopters, with an MGB installed. That 
NPRM proposed to require inspecting the lower parts of the MGB casing 
anchoring fittings for sealing compound, and if there is sealing 
compound on the lower parts of the anchoring fittings, removing the 
sealing compound and inspecting the anchoring fittings for corrosion. 
If there is corrosion, the NPRM proposed repairing the affected area. 
If there is no corrosion, the NPRM proposed applying touch up 
protective treatment and renewing any damaged sealing compound bead in 
the lower part of the anchoring fitting.
    The proposed requirements were intended to detect corrosion on the 
MGB casing, which could lead to a crack, failure of the MGB, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued AD No.: 
2011-0127, dated July 1, 2011 (AD No. 2011-0127), which supersedes 
Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC France) AD F-2008-04, 
dated June 4, 2008, for the Eurocopter Model EC 155 B, EC 155 B1, SA 
365 N, SA 365 N1, AS 365 N2, AS 365 N3, SA 366 G1, SA 365 C, SA 365 C1, 
SA 365 C2, and SA 365 C3 helicopters with a MGB, all part numbers, that 
was delivered before December 5, 2007, installed on helicopters 
delivered before December 5, 2007, or overhauled or repaired before 
September 30, 2008. EASA states that in 2008, it received two reports 
of atmospheric corrosion on the MGB casing lower area of two 
helicopters between the two servo-control anchoring fitting attachment 
ribs. The investigation showed that the corrosion occurred in this area 
due to the presence of ``PR sealing compound'' on the lower part of the 
fitting/casing attachment. The ``PR sealing compound'' may have been 
applied incorrectly on some helicopters due to a misinterpretation of 
the Eurocopter documentation during installation. EASA states that this 
condition, if not corrected, could lead to ``crack initiation and crack 
growth in the affected area of the casing,'' which could cause this 
area to fail and result in loss of control of the helicopter.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (77 FR 36220, 
June 18, 2012).

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 
the EASA 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 these same 
type designs and that air safety and the public interest require 
adopting the AD requirements as proposed, except we have removed the 
words ``with a main gearbox installed'' from the applicability 
paragraph because that language is unnecessary. This minor change is 
consistent with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM and will not 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires inspecting the anchoring fittings for ``PR 
sealing compound'' within 15 flight hours, while this AD requires 
inspecting within 30 hours TIS. The EASA AD applies to the Model SA-
365C3, and this AD does not include this model because it does not have 
an FAA-issued type certificate. This AD does not allow the compliance 
times provided in Appendix 1 of the EASA AD, since it is desirable to 
accomplish any required repairs before further flight.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB), 
Revision 0, dated May 7, 2008, with five different numbers. EASB No. 
63.00.17 is for the Model AS 365-series helicopters; EASB No. 63.00.12 
is for the military Model AS 565-series helicopters, which are not FAA 
type certificated; EASB No. 63A011 is for the Model EC 155-series 
helicopters; EASB No. 65.03 is for the Model SA 366-series helicopters; 
and EASB No. 65.47 is for the Model SA 365-series helicopters and the 
non-FAA type certificated Model SA 360-series helicopters. The EASB 
specifies inspecting for ``PR sealing compound'' on the lower parts of 
the MGB anchoring fittings, removing any ``PR sealing compound,'' and 
repairing any corrosion. EASA classified this EASB as mandatory and 
issued AD No. 2011-0127 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 31 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. Inspecting the anchor fittings for 
sealing compound and corrosion will require about 0.5 work hour at an 
average labor rate of $85 per hour, for a cost per helicopter of about 
$43 and a cost to the entire U.S. fleet of $1,318. Removing any sealing 
compound and repairing any corrosion damage will require about 8 work 
hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour, for a cost per 
helicopter of $680.

[[Page 1741]]

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

    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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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

    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):

2012-26-10 Eurocopter France Helicopters: Amendment 39-17305; Docket 
No. FAA-2012-0632; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-044-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA-365N, 
SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-366G1, SA-365C, 
SA-365C1, and SA-365C2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as corrosion on the main 
gearbox (MGB) casing lower area between the servo-control anchoring 
ribs, caused by sealing compound on the lower part of the fitting/
casing attachment. This condition could result in a crack, failure 
of the MGB, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 13, 2013.

(d) 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.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Within 30 hours time-in-service, inspect the lower parts of 
the MGB servo-control anchoring fittings (anchor fittings) for 
sealing compound, referring to Figure 1 of Eurocopter Emergency 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 63.00.17 (for Models SA-365N, SA-365N1, 
AS-365N2 and AS 365 N3); No. 63A011 (for Models EC 155B and 
EC155B1); No. 65.03 (for Model SA-366G1); and No. 65.47 (for Models 
SA-365C, SA-365C1, and SA-365C2), Revision 0, dated May 7, 2008 
(EASB).

    Note 1 to paragraph (e)(1):  The Eurocopter EASB is one document 
with multiple EASB numbers, each applicable to different base model 
Eurocopter helicopters.

    (2) If there is sealing compound on the lower part of an MGB 
anchor fitting, remove the sealing compound and inspect for 
corrosion in the lower area of the MGB casing.
    (i) If there is corrosion, before further flight, repair the 
corrosion area.
    (ii) If there is no corrosion, apply touch up protective 
treatment, if required, and renew the bead of any damaged sealing 
compound in the upper part of the anchor fitting.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-
4389; 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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Eurocopter Repair Sheet 365-63-36-08, dated April 4, 2008, 
and Standard Practices Manual (MTC) Work Cards 20.04.04, 20.04.05, 
and 20.05.01, which are not incorporated by reference, contain 
additional information regarding the subject of this AD and in 
particular regarding the procedures for corrosion repair, protective 
treatment touch-up, and renewing the damaged sealing bead. For 
service information identified in this AD, contact American 
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 
75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at 
http://www.eurocopter.com. You may review a copy of the 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. 2011-0127, dated July 1, 2011.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320: Main Rotor 
Gearbox.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 63.00.17, 
Revision 0, dated May 7, 2008.
    (ii) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 63A011, 
Revision 0, dated May 7, 2008.
    (iii) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.03, 
Revision 0, dated May 7, 2008.
    (iv) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.47, 
Revision 0, dated May 7, 2008.

    Note 2 to paragraph (i)(2): Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) Nos. 63.00.17, 63A011, 65.03, and 65.47, all Revision 
0, and all dated May 7, 2008 are co-published as one document along 
with Eurocopter Emergency ASB No. 63.00.12, Revision 0, dated May 7, 
2008, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

    (3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD, 
contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-
3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com.

[[Page 1742]]

    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 December 20, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-31682 Filed 1-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P