[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 110 (Friday, June 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34288-34290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13487]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0487; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-056-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 AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. 
This proposed AD would require inspecting the torque value of the bolts 
that secure the front and rear main gearbox (MGB) suspension bar 
attaching fittings, and re-torqueing the bolts to the proper value if 
the torque value is out of tolerance. This proposed AD would also 
require, if the torque value is out of tolerance by more than 20 
percent, inspecting the bolts, frames, and related equipment for a 
crack and repairing or replacing them if cracked. This proposed AD is 
prompted by reports of cracks on Frame 5295 of Model AS332L2 
helicopters. These actions are intended to detect the torque loss of 
the bolts that secure the MGB bar attaching fittings and to prevent 
cracks that could lead to failure of the MGB supporting structure, 
detachment of the MGB, and loss of helicopter control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 6, 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

[[Page 34289]]

expense or delay. We may change this proposal in light of the comments 
we receive.

Discussion

    Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
aviation authority for France, has issued AD No. F-2006-020 for Model 
AS 332 L2 helicopters and AD No. F-2006-021 for Model EC 225 LP 
helicopters, both dated February 1, 2006, to correct an unsafe 
condition in those model helicopters. The DGAC ADs require conducting 
visual checks after the last flight of each day for cracks in the outer 
skin paneling and the butt strap of the MGB sliding cowling left and 
right attachment points on Frame 5295. If a crack is found in the outer 
skin paneling Zone 2, then the DGAC ADs require visually inspecting the 
corresponding Zone 2 of Frame 5295 for a crack and suspending all 
flights if a crack is found. If no crack is found through visual 
inspections, the DCAG ADs provide instructions for further inspections 
and repairs. Issues with the outer skin paneling were resolved by the 
time the FAA certificated the EC225 on January 30, 2008.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, issued AD No. 
2006-102-E, which superseded DGAC AD F-2006-021, and AD No. 2006-103-E, 
which superseded DGAC AD F-2006-020. Both EASA ADs are dated April 25, 
2006. AD Nos. 2006-102-E and 2006-103-E retain the requirements of the 
DGAC ADs but expand the area to be inspected.
    EASA then issued AD No. 2006-0163, dated June 9, 2006, to 
supplement the requirements of AD Nos. 2006-102-E and 2006-103-E by 
mandating that the bolts securing the front and rear of the MGB bar 
attaching fittings be inspected for tightening torque loss. According 
to EASA, analysis of the tightening torques revealed some cases of 
tightening torque loss, which can lead to the formation of a crack at 
the MGB bar attaching fittings. EASA subsequently issued AD No. 2006-
0163 R1, dated December 13, 2007, which revises and replaces AD No. 
2006-0163, retaining its requirements but extending the compliance 
interval for inspecting the bolts on Model EC 225 LP helicopters.

 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

    We reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05.00.65, 
Revision 0, dated March 28, 2006, for Model AS332L2 helicopters, and 
ASB No. 05A002, Revision 1, dated December 6, 2007, for Model EC225LP 
helicopters. The ASBs specify inspecting the tightening torque of the 
bolts that secure the front and rear of the MGB bar attaching fittings. 
If more than a 20 percent tightening torque load loss is discovered, 
the ASBs require inspecting the frames 3855 and 5295 for a crack in the 
area of the MGB bar attaching fittings. EASA classified these ASBs as 
mandatory and issued EASA AD No. 2006-0163 R1, dated December 13, 2007, 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the 
tightening torque value of the bolts that secure the front and rear MGB 
suspension bar attaching fittings. If the torque value is out of 
tolerance 20 percent or less, then the proposed AD would require that 
each bolt be re-torqued to the proper value. If the torque value is out 
of tolerance more than 20 percent, then this proposed AD would require 
re-torqueing each bolt to the proper value and inspecting the bolts, 
frame, and related equipment for a crack. If a cracked bolt is 
detected, this AD would require replacing all four attaching fitting 
bolts. If a crack in the frame or other equipment is detected, this 
proposed AD would require repairing or replacing the cracked frame and 
other equipment.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    This AD differs from the EASA AD in that we use the word 
``inspect'' to describe actions required by a mechanic versus the word 
``check,'' which is how we describe actions allowed by a pilot. We also 
require that if you find a crack in a frame or fitting, you repair or 
replace the cracked part instead of contacting the manufacturer. Also, 
we have different compliance times for the initial inspection for the 
tightening torque of the bolts that secure the MGB attaching fitting.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 4 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs would average $85 a work-hour. Based 
on these estimates, we would expect the following costs:
     Inspecting the torque of each bolt that secures the front 
and rear MGB attaching fitting would require 1 work-hour and no parts 
for a total cost of $85 per helicopter, and $340 for the U.S. fleet.
     Readjusting the torque would add another 0.25 work-hour 
for a total cost of about $21 per helicopter.
     Replacing all four nuts and bolts of an attachment fitting 
would require 4 work-hours. Parts would cost $1,000 for a total cost of 
$1,340 per helicopter.
     Replacing the attachment fitting or plate would require 16 
work-hours respectively. Parts would cost $2,000 respectively for a 
total cost of $3,360 to replace each part per helicopter.
     Replacing frames 3855 and 5295 would require 40 work-hours 
respectively. Parts would cost $5,000 to replace each frame for a total 
cost of $8,400 per frame per helicopter.

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:

[[Page 34290]]

    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-2013-0487; Directorate Identifier 
2010-SW-056-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332L2 
and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as loss of tightening 
torque of a bolt that secures the front and rear main gearbox (MGB) 
suspension bar attaching fittings, which can change the loads on the 
frames and cause cracking. This condition could lead to failure of 
the MGB supporting structure, detachment of the MGB, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 6, 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) Within 500 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 825 hours TIS, inspect the tightening torque 
of each bolt that secures the front and rear MGB attaching fitting 
by using as reference Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. 05.00.65, Revision 0, dated March 28, 2006, for the Model 
AS332L2 helicopters; and ASB No. 05A002, Revision 1, dated December 
6, 2007, for the Model EC225LP helicopters.
    (2) If the loss of tightening torque of a nut is less than or 
equal to 20 percent of the minimum tightening torque, before further 
flight, readjust the tightening torque.
    (3) If the loss of tightening torque of any nut (front or rear) 
is greater than 20 percent of the minimum tightening torque, before 
further flight:
    (i) Inspect each bolt and nut that secures the attachment 
fitting for a crack, and
    (ii) Inspect for a crack in the attachment area of the 
attachment fitting, the attachment plate, and Frame 3855 for the 
front fitting and Frame 5295 for the rear fitting.
    (A) If no crack exists, readjust the tightening torque.
    (B) If there is a crack in any nut or bolt, before further 
flight, replace all four nuts and bolts of the affected attachment 
fitting.
    (C) If there is a crack in the attachment area of the attachment 
fitting or the attachment plate, before further flight, replace the 
cracked attachment fitting or plate with an airworthy fitting or 
plate.
    (D) If there is a crack in Frame 3855 for the front fitting or 
Frame 5295 for the rear fitting, before further flight, repair or 
replace the frame.

(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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency AD No. 2006-0163 R1, dated December 13, 2007.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6330, Main Rotor 
Transmission Mount.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-13487 Filed 6-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P