[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33764-33766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13297]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0479; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-070-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 AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 
and EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the 
intermediate gearbox (IGB) fairing for a crack and inspecting the IGB 
fairing gutter (gutter), if installed, for a crack, separation, or 
interference. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of cracks, 
separation of the IGB fairing from the gutter and attachment supports, 
and subsequent interference with the tail rotor (TR) inclined drive 
shaft. The proposed actions are intended to detect a crack and prevent 
separation of the IGB fairing, which could result in interference with 
the TR inclined drive shaft and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 5, 2013.

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 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, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 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. 2011-0189-E, dated September 29, 2011 (AD 2011-0189-E), to correct 
an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, 
AS332L1,

[[Page 33765]]

AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters with certain IGB fairings installed. 
EASA advises that cracks are being found on the IGB fairing and the 
gutters, which have caused some fairings to separate and interfere with 
the T/R inclined drive shaft. According to EASA, these cracks are 
occurring along the rivet line joining the IGB fairing to the gutter 
and also in the associated attachment points. Previous corrective 
actions mandated by EASA required repetitive inspections of the IGB 
fairings, reinforcement of the gutter riveting, and removal of the 
gutter. After receiving additional reports of cracks despite those 
actions, EASA issued AD 2011-0189-E to continue to require inspecting 
the IGB fairing gutter and also require inspecting the IGB fairing and 
attachment supports for cracks every 15 flight hours.

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 the same type design.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued one emergency alert service bulletin (ASB) 
with three numbers, revision 4, dated September 27, 2011: ASB No. 
53.01.47 for Model AS 332 series helicopters, ASB No. 53.00.48 for 
Model AS532 series helicopters, and ASB No. 53A001 for Model EC225 and 
EC725 helicopters. That ASB requires inspecting the IGB fairings and 
their attachment supports and replacing any cracked or damaged parts 
every 15 flight hours.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require:
     For helicopters with an IGB fairing, part number (P/N) 
332A24-0303-0501 or 332A24-0303-0601 (with a gutter), installed, within 
15 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 15 hours TIS, inspecting the gutter, IGB fairing, and attachment 
supports for a crack, separation, or interference between the gutter 
and the T/R inclined drive shaft, hydraulic pipes, or flight controls.
     For helicopters with an IGB fairing, P/N 332A081391.00 or 
332A081391.01 (without a gutter), installed, within 15 hours TIS and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15 hours TIS, inspecting the IGB 
fairing and attachment supports for a crack.
     If during any inspection required by this proposed AD 
there is a crack, interference, or separation, replacing the cracked or 
damaged part with an airworthy part.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 10 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD. Inspecting the IGB fairing and 
attachment supports would require about 0.5 work hours at an average 
labor rate of $85 per work hour, for a total cost per helicopter of $43 
per inspection cycle. The total cost to the U.S. operator fleet would 
be $430 per inspection cycle. Replacing a cracked IGB fairing would 
require about 2 work hours at an average labor rate of $85 per work 
hour, and required parts would cost $1,905, for a total cost per 
helicopter of $2,075. Replacing a damaged T/R inclined drive shaft tube 
would require about 2 work hours, and required parts would cost 
$16,726, for a total cost per helicopter of $16,896. Replacing a 
damaged hydraulic pipe would require about 2 work hours and required 
parts would cost $1,202, for a total cost per helicopter of $1,372. 
Replacing a damaged flight control component would require about 2 work 
hours, and required parts would cost $440, for a total cost per 
helicopter of $610.

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.

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

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):

Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2013-0479; Directorate Identifier 
2011-SW-070-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, 
AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters with an 
intermediate gearbox (IGB) fairing, part number (P/N) 332A24-0303-
0501, P/N 332A24-0303-0601, P/N 332A081391.00, or P/N 332A081391.01 
installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in the IGB 
fairing, which could result in separation of the IGB fairing from 
its attachment supports, resulting in interference with the tail 
rotor (T/R) inclined driveshaft, failure of the T/R inclined 
driveshaft, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

[[Page 33766]]

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 5, 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

    Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 15 hours TIS:
    (1) For all helicopters, inspect the IGB fairing and both 
attachment supports for a crack. If there is a crack, replace the 
cracked part with an airworthy part.
    (2) For helicopters with an IGB fairing, part number (P/N) 
332A24-0303-0501 or P/N 332A24-0303-0601, installed, inspect the IGB 
fairing gutter (gutter) for a crack. If there is a crack, replace 
the gutter with an airworthy gutter, and inspect the IGB fairing for 
separation, or interference between the gutter and the tail rotor 
(T/R) inclined drive shaft, hydraulic pipes, or flight controls.
    (i) If there is interference between the gutter and the T/R 
inclined drive shaft tube, replace the T/R inclined drive shaft tube 
and the IGB fairing/gutter assembly with an airworthy T/R inclined 
drive shaft tube and IGB fairing/gutter assembly.
    (ii) If there is interference between the gutter and the 
hydraulic pipes, replace the IGB fairing/gutter assembly with an 
airworthy IGB fairing/gutter assembly. Inspect the hydraulic pipes 
for a dent, score, distortion, or chafing. If there is a dent, 
score, distortion, or chafing, replace the affected hydraulic pipe 
with an airworthy hydraulic pipe.
    (iii) If there is interference between the gutter and the flight 
controls, replace the IGB fairing/gutter assembly with an airworthy 
IGB fairing/gutter assembly. Inspect the cables on the left hand 
side of the pylon, the quadrant on which the cables are coiled, the 
flight control lever, the rod, and the T/R servo-control operating 
mechanism for friction, chafing, broken strands, buckling, 
distortion, or scoring. If there is any friction, chafing, broken 
strands, buckling, distortion, or scoring, replace the affected 
flight control component with an airworthy flight control component.
    (iv) If there is any separation of the gutter, replace the IBG 
fairing/gutter assembly with an airworthy fairing/gutter assembly.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 
53.01.47 for Model AS 332 helicopters, EASB No. 53.00.48 for Model 
AS532 helicopters, and EASB No. 53A001 for Model EC225 and EC725 
helicopters, all revision 4, dated September 27, 2011, 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 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 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 Emergency AD No. 2011-0189-E, dated September 29, 
2011.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5350: Aerodynamic 
Fairings.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 28, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-13297 Filed 6-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P