[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 10, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21233-21236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07932]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0630; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-010-AD; 
Amendment 39-17409; AD 2013-07-05]
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 
Eurocopter France EC130B4 helicopters. This AD requires visually 
checking the center windscreen panel (center windscreen) for a crack 
and replacing the center windscreen if there is a crack, if the 
windscreen distorts during flight, or within 12 months. This AD was 
prompted by in-flight cracking and failure of a center windscreen. The 
actions of this AD are intended to detect a crack in the blending radii 
of the center windscreen to prevent failure of the windscreen, injury 
to the flight crew, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective May 15, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of May 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this 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 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: Jim Grigg, Manager, Safety Management 
Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 
76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On June 18, 2012, at 77 FR 36213, 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 France 
EC130B4 helicopters with a center windscreen, part number (P/N) 350A25-
9004-00, 350A25-9025-00, or 350A25-9041-20. That NPRM proposed to 
require, before each flight, visually checking the center windscreen 
and replacing the center windscreen panel before further flight if 
there is a crack in the center windscreen panel or if the windscreen 
distorts during flight. The NPRM also proposed to require, within 12 
months, replacing the center windscreen with a certain part-numbered 
windscreen, which would terminate the repetitive inspection 
requirements. The NPRM specified that an owner/operator (pilot) may 
perform the visual check and must enter compliance with the applicable 
paragraph into the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 
CFR 43.9(a)(1)-(4) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may perform this check 
because it involves only a visual check for a crack in the center 
windscreen and can be performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic. 
This authorization is an exception to our standard maintenance 
regulations. The proposed requirements were intended to detect a crack 
in the blending radii of the center windscreen to prevent failure of 
the windscreen, injury to the flight crew, 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, issued EASA AD No. 
2010-0258, dated December 6, 2010 (AD 2010-0258), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the Eurocopter France EC130B4 helicopters. EASA received 
reports that center windscreen panels failed during flights due to a 
crack that started in the blending radius between the lower and upper 
sections of the windscreen. EASA stated that this condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could result in serious injury of the 
helicopter occupants, and therefore, issued Emergency AD 2007-0219-E, 
dated August 24, 2007, (AD 2007-0219-E), requiring a pre-flight 
inspection of the center windscreen, repair or replacement of a cracked 
windscreen, and an airspeed limitation. In AD 2010-0258, EASA notes 
that it approved a modification (MOD 073590) for the EC130B4 
helicopters that incorporates a newly designed center windscreen panel, 
part number (P/N) 350A25-9045-20, to ``eliminate the possibility of 
centre windshield cracks thus providing an alternative terminating 
action for the preflight inspections.''

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 36213, 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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD imposes flight restrictions and replacing the 
windscreen within 50 flight hours or 15 days, whichever occurs first, 
if distortion of the windscreen is detected in-flight. This AD mandates 
replacing the windscreen before further flight if distortion occurs 
during flight. In addition, this AD mandates MOD

[[Page 21234]]

073590 and replacing the affected windscreen with an airworthy 
windscreen, P/N 350A25-9045-20, within 12 months.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
05A005 Revision 2, dated November 22, 2010. The ASB specifies:
     Performing a visual check of the center windscreen before 
each flight.
     Replacing any center windscreen before resuming flight if 
a crack is detected.
     If in-flight distortion is found, immediately restricting 
airspeed to 70 knots or below, and
    [cir] If a crack is found, before next flight, replacing the 
windscreen per Eurocopter Service Bulletin 56-003, dated November 16, 
2010, (SB 56-003), which describes procedures to perform MOD 073590, 
and
    [cir] If no crack is found, affixing an airspeed limitation label 
and within 50 flying hours or 15 days, whichever is earlier, replacing 
the windscreen per MOD 073590.
     That incorporation of MOD 073590 is an alternative to the 
bulletin, relieving users of the inspection requirements.
    EASA has classified this ASB as mandatory and issued AD 2010-0258 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 87 helicopters of U.S. 
registry and that labor costs will average $85 per work-hour. 
Therefore, we estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
     The check of the center windscreen before each flight will 
take about 15 minutes for a labor cost of $21.25 per inspection. No 
parts will be needed, so the total cost for the U.S. 87-helicopter 
fleet is about $1,849 per inspection.
     Replacing the center windscreen will require about 20 
work-hours for a labor cost of $1,700 per helicopter. Parts will cost 
$6,037 for a total cost per helicopter of $7,737.

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):

2013-07-05 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-17409; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0630; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-010-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France EC130B4 helicopters with 
center windscreen panel (center windscreen), part number (P/N) 
350A25-9004-00, 350A25-9025-00, or 350A25-9041-20, certificated in 
any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in the blending 
radii of the center windscreen, which could lead to failure of the 
center windscreen, injury to the flight crew, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 15, 2013.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished 
previously.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Until the center windscreen is replaced with center 
windscreen P/N 350A25-9045-20, before each flight, visually check 
the center windscreen for a crack in the area of the blending radii 
where the front-lower part of the center windscreen joins the front 
fuselage as depicted in Figure 1 to paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. 
This visual check may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) 
holding at least a private pilot certificate, and must be entered 
into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in 
accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 43.9 
(a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained 
as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
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    (2) If there is a crack or if a pilot indicates that the center 
windscreen distorted during flight, before further flight, replace 
the center windscreen with an airworthy center windscreen, P/N 
350A25-9045-20, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 2.B.2.b. through 2.B.2.b.4., of Eurocopter Service 
Bulletin No. 56-003, Revision 0, dated November 16, 2010.
    (3) Within 12 months, replace the center windscreen with an 
airworthy center windscreen, P/N 350A25-9045-20, in accordance with 
the instructions contained in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
    (4) Replacing the center windscreen with center windscreen, P/N 
350A25-9045-20, constitutes terminating action for the requirements 
of this AD.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished, provided that:
    (1) No passengers are onboard;
    (2) The time to fly to the location does not exceed 10 hours 
time-in-service; and
    (3) The airspeed does not exceed 70 knots indicated air speed 
(KIAS).

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Jim Grigg, Manager, Safety 
Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 
Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 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.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency AD No. 2010-0258, dated December 6, 2010.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5600, Window/
Windshield System.

(j) 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 Service Bulletin No. 56-003, Revision 0, dated 
November 16, 2010.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this 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.
    (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.


[[Page 21236]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 22, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-07932 Filed 4-9-13; 8:45 am]
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