[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47230-47233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18854]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0679; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-015-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model 
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 Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, 
AS350D, and AS350D1 helicopters. This proposed AD would require 
measuring the distance between the end of the main rotor collective 
pitch lever (collective) locking stud (locking stud) and the locking 
strip and repairing the locking stud if the clearance is insufficient. 
This proposed AD is prompted by a report that insufficient distance 
between the locking stud and the locking strip may cause the collective 
to become inadvertently locked in the low pitch (low) position. The 
proposed actions are intended to prevent the collective from becoming 
inadvertently locked in the low position and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 4, 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: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, 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

[[Page 47231]]

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. 2009-0019, dated February 3, 2009, to correct an unsafe condition 
for the Eurocopter Model AS350 helicopters. EASA advises that the 
clearance between the collective locking stud and the locking strip may 
be insufficient when the collective is positioned in the low pitch 
stop. During an autorotation test flight, the collective rubbed against 
the locking strip in the low pitch position. The rubbing was due to 
inadequate clearance and could result in the collective being 
inadvertently locked in the low pitch position.

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 issued Service Bulletin No. 67.00.37, Revision 2, dated 
December 2, 2008, originally issued on September 27, 2007, and also 
identified as modification (MOD) 073237, which contains procedures for 
replacing the locking stud on the collective levers with a new locking 
stud with higher wear resistance. The new locking stud is longer than 
the previous one and has reduced the distance between the locking stud 
and the locking strip. In some cases, the reduced distance is 
insufficient when the collective is positioned in the low pitch 
position causing the collective to lock in that position. As a result, 
Eurocopter has issued one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB), 
Revision 0, dated January 12, 2008, with two numbers. EASB No. 05.00.58 
is for civil Model AS350B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D helicopters and 
military Model AS350L1 helicopters. EASB No. 05.00.35 is for military 
Model AS550A2, C2, C3, and U2 helicopters. The EASB specifies measuring 
to ensure a required minimum distance between the locking stud and the 
locking strip and specifies a repair solution in case the distance is 
insufficient. As a precaution, Eurocopter extended the measure and 
repair to helicopters with locking studs before MOD 073237. Eurocopter 
also revised Service Bulletin No. 67.00.37 to include these procedures.

Proposed AD Requirements

    The proposed AD would require measuring the clearance between the 
collective locking stud and the locking strip. If insufficient 
clearance exists, corrective actions are defined based on the installed 
locking strip and locking stud designs. Corrective actions include 
restoring the original profile of certain locking strips and adjusting 
the length of certain collective locking studs.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD does not apply to Model AS350C or AS350D1 helicopters, 
and the proposed AD would apply to these models because they have a 
similarly-designed collective pitch lock. The EASA AD applies to the 
Model AS350BB, and the proposed AD does not because that model does not 
have a U.S. type certificate. The proposed AD would require an initial 
inspection within 100 hours time-in-service, while the EASA AD requires 
this inspection ``after the last flight of the day.''

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 651 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD. It would take 1 work hour to measure the 
clearance and repair the locking stud and locking strip at $85 per work 
hour. Required parts would cost $95 per helicopter. Based on these 
estimates, the total cost per helicopter would be $180, and the total 
cost for the fleet would be $117,180.

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,

[[Page 47232]]

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-2013-0679; Directorate Identifier 
2009-SW-015-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, 
AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1 helicopters, certificated 
in any category, without modification (MOD) 073175 installed; with 
MOD 073237 installed in accordance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin 
No. 67.00.37 Revision 0, dated September 27, 2007, or Revision 1, 
dated February 6, 2008; or with one of the following serial numbers: 
3972, 3973, 3982, 3987, 4003, 4023, 4046, 4050, 4086, 4120, 4122, 
4132, 4143, 4152, 4172, 4194, 4259, 4314, 4324, 4378, 4392, 4447, 
4452, 4477, 4489, 4490, 4501, 4523, 4546, 4560, 4589, 4594, 4599, 
4632, 4659, 4666, or 4671.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as the main rotor 
collective pitch lever (collective) locking stud (locking stud) 
inadvertently locking in the low pitch (low) position, which could 
result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 4, 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) For helicopters with MOD 073237 installed, within 100 hours 
time-in-service (TIS):
    (i) With the collective (item b) in the low position but not 
locked on the locking strip (item a), measure the distance between 
the end of the locking stud (item c) and the locking strip as 
indicated by dimension ``J'' in Figure 2 of Eurocopter Emergency 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.58, Revision 0, dated January 12, 
2008 (EASB 05.00.58).
    (ii) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and the 
locking strip is equal to or more than 3 millimeters (mm), no 
further action is required.
    (iii) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and 
the locking strip is less than 3 mm and MOD 073175 is not installed, 
inspect to determine whether the grommet in the locking strip is 
seated against the console as shown in Figure 2 of the EASB.
    (A) If the grommet is not seated against the console, restore 
the original profile of the locking strip by doing the following:
    (1) Clamp the locking strip in a vice with soft jaws and apply 
load progressively to the locking strip to restore the original 
profile of the locking strip.
    (2) With the collective in the low position but not locked on 
the locking strip, measure the distance between the end of the 
locking stud and the locking strip as indicated by dimension ``J'' 
in Figure 2 of the EASB.
    (3) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and the 
locking strip is equal to or more than 3 mm, no further action is 
required.
    (4) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and the 
locking strip is less than 3 mm, adjust the length of the locking 
stud and re-identify the locking stud by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.c., of the EASB, except 
you are not required to comply with paragraph 2.B.4 of the EASB.
    (B) If the grommet is seated against the console, adjust the 
length of the locking stud and re-identify the locking stud by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.c, of the 
EASB, except you are not required to comply with paragraph 2.B.4 of 
the EASB.
    (iv) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and the 
locking strip is less than 3 mm and MOD 073175 is installed, adjust 
the length of the locking stud and re-identify the locking stud by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.c., of 
the EASB, except you are not required to comply with paragraph 2.B.4 
of the EASB.
    (v) After adjusting the length of the locking stud in accordance 
with paragraph 2.B.2.c of the EASB, determine whether the distance 
between the end of the locking stud and the locking strip is equal 
to or more than 3 mm.
    (A) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and the 
locking strip is equal to or more than 3 mm, no further action is 
required.
    (B) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and the 
locking strip is less than 3 mm, do not approve the helicopter for 
return to service until the distance between the end of the locking 
stud and the locking strip is equal to or more than 3 mm.
    (2) For helicopters without MOD 073237 installed, within 100 
hours TIS:
    (i) With the collective in the low position but not locked on 
the locking strip, measure the distance between the end of the 
locking stud and the locking strip as indicated by dimension ``J' in 
Figure 2 of the EASB.
    (ii) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and the 
locking strip is equal to or more than 3 mm, no further action is 
needed.
    (iii) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and 
the locking strip is less than 3 mm and MOD 073175 is not installed, 
inspect to determine whether the grommet in the locking strip is 
seated against the console as shown in Figure 2 of the EASB.
    (A) If the grommet is not seated against the console, restore 
the original profile of the locking strip by doing the following:
    (1) Clamp the locking strip in a vice with soft jaws and 
applying load progressively to the locking strip.
    (2) With the collective in the low position, but not locked on 
the locking strip, measure the distance between the end of the 
locking stud and the locking strip as indicated by dimension ``J'' 
in Figure 2 of the EASB.
    (3) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and the 
locking strip is equal to or more than 3 mm, no further action is 
required.
    (4) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and the 
locking strip is less than 3 mm, do not approve the helicopter for 
return to service until the distance between the end of the locking 
stud and the locking strip is equal to or more than 3 mm.
    (B) If the grommet is seated against the console, do not approve 
the helicopter for return to service until the distance between the 
end of the locking stud and the locking strip is equal to or more 
than 3 mm.
    (iv) If the distance between the end of the locking stud and the 
locking strip is less than 3 mm and MOD 073175 is installed, do not 
approve the helicopter for return to service until the distance 
between the end of the locking stud and the locking strip is equal 
to or more than 3 mm.
    (3) Repeat the measurement requirement in paragraphs (e)(1) or 
(e)(2) of this AD as applicable to your helicopter each time the 
collective, locking stud, or locking strip is replaced; each time 
the locking strip setting is readjusted; or at intervals not 
exceeding 660 hours time-in-service or 2 years, whichever occurs 
first.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
[email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under 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. 
05.00.58, Revision 0, dated January 12, 2008, is co-published in one 
document with EASB No. 05.00.35, which is not incorporated by 
reference in this AD. Eurocopter Service Bulletin (SB) No. 67.00.21, 
Revision 1, dated June 21, 2006, and SB No. 67.00.37, Revision 2, 
dated December 2, 2008, which are not incorporated by reference, 
contain additional information about the subject of this AD.
    (2) 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

[[Page 47233]]

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.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2009-0019, dated February 3, 2009. You 
may view the EASA AD at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0679.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6710 Main Rotor 
Control.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 26, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18854 Filed 8-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P