[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 164 (Friday, August 23, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52407-52410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19438]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0341; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-025-AD; 
Amendment 39-17557; AD 2013-16-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC120B and EC130B4 helicopters 
with a certain emergency flotation gear (float) installed. This AD 
requires inspecting the float for chafing of the fabric covering and 
adding protectors to the float installation to prevent contact between 
the float and the protruding

[[Page 52408]]

sections of the installation. This AD was prompted by a report of a 
float that would not inflate during overhaul because one of the float 
compartments was punctured due to chafing. The actions of this AD are 
intended to prevent failure of float and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter during an emergency water landing.

DATES: This AD is effective September 27, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of September 27, 
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, the foreign authority's 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: 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: 

Discussion

    On April 15, 2013, at 78 FR 22213, 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 
EC120B helicopters with a left-hand (LH) emergency flotation gear, part 
number (P/N) 215674-0, 215674-1, or 215674-2 installed, fitted with a 
float, P/N 215481-0; or with a right-hand (RH) emergency flotation 
gear, P/N 215675-0, 215675-1, or 215675-2 installed, fitted with a 
float, P/N 215482-0; and Model EC130B4 helicopters with a LH emergency 
flotation gear P/N 217227-0 installed, fitted with a float P/N 217174-
0; or with a RH emergency flotation gear P/N 217228-0 installed, fitted 
with a float, P/N 217195-0. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the 
float for chafing of the fabric covering and adding protectors to the 
float installation to prevent contact between the float and the 
protruding sections of the installation. The proposed requirements were 
intended to prevent failure of float and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter during an emergency water landing.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2011-0185, dated September 23, 2011 
(AD 2011-0185), issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), 
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European 
Union. EASA issued AD 2011-0185 to correct an unsafe condition for 
Eurocopter Model EC120 and EC130 helicopters. EASA advises that during 
overhaul of an emergency flotation gear installation, it was impossible 
to inflate the RH float according to the instructions in the equipment 
manufacturer's manual. An investigation revealed that one of the 
compartments in the float was punctured and several areas of the LH and 
RH floats were damaged, caused by chafing between the float and the 
protruding sections of the supply bars and banjo unions. To address 
this potentially unsafe condition, EASA issued AD No. 2009-0190, dated 
August 26, 2009 (AD 2009-0190), which required repetitive inspections 
of the floats to detect chafing. Aerazur, the float manufacturer, later 
developed protectors to be installed on the floats to eliminate 
interference between the float and the blunt parts of the installation. 
EASA then issued AD 2011-0185, which superseded AD 2009-0190 and 
required installation of the protectors on the floats as terminating 
action for the repetitive inspections.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 22213, 
April 15, 2013).

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

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05A011, 
Revision 0, dated June 8, 2009 (ASB 05A011), for Model EC120B 
helicopters and ASB No. 05A008, Revision 0, dated June 8, 2009 (ASB 
05A008), for Model EC130B4 helicopters. Both ASBs specify inspecting 
the floats for deterioration and chafing at specified intervals and, if 
necessary, repairing the floats.
    Eurocopter has also issued ASB No. EC120-25A026, Revision 0, dated 
July 11, 2011 (ASB EC120-25A026), for Model EC120B helicopters and ASB 
No. EC130-25A042, Revision 0, dated July 11, 2011 (ASB EC130-25A042), 
for Model EC130B4 helicopters. Both ASBs specify modifying certain 
part-numbered LH and RH emergency flotation gear by adding protectors 
onto the rear bracket and supply couplings of the float installation. 
The ASBs specify following procedures in Aerazur Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. 25-69-87, dated March 14, 2011, for floats installed on Model 
EC120B helicopters and Aerazur SB No. 25-69-58, dated March 14, 2011, 
for floats installed on Model EC130B4 helicopters. Each Aerazur SB is 
incorporated as an appendix to the corresponding Eurocopter ASB.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 60 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Based on an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour, we 
estimate that operators may incur the following costs to comply with 
this AD. Inspecting the floats for chafing will require about .5 hour, 
for a cost per helicopter of $43, and a cost to U.S. operators of 
$2,580. Modifying the floats with protective covers will require about 
1 hour and required parts cost about $500, for a cost per helicopter of 
$585, and a cost to U.S. operators of $35,100. The total estimated cost 
of this AD is $628 per helicopter and $37,680 for the U.S. operator 
fleet.

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

[[Page 52409]]

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):

2013-16-19 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-17557; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0341; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-025-AD.

(a) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated 
in any category:
    (i) Model EC120B helicopters with a left-hand (LH) emergency 
flotation gear, part number (P/N) 215674-0, 215674-1, or 215674-2 
installed, fitted with a float, P/N 215481-0; or with a right-hand 
(RH) emergency flotation gear, P/N 215675-0, 215675-1, or 215675-2 
installed, fitted with a float, P/N 215482-0; and
    (ii) Model EC130B4 helicopters with a LH emergency flotation 
gear P/N 217227-0 installed, fitted with a float P/N 217174-0; or 
with a RH emergency flotation gear P/N 217228-0 installed, fitted 
with a float, P/N 217195-0.

 (b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as chafing of the float due 
to contact with the protruding sections of the supply bars and banjo 
sections of the emergency flotation gear installation. This 
condition could result in the float becoming punctured, failure of 
the float to inflate, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter during an emergency water landing.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 27, 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 emergency flotation gear that have accumulated 250 or 
more hours time-in service (TIS), within 50 hours TIS, accomplish 
the following:
    (i) Undo the Velcro tapes and remove the break laces. Remove the 
caps from the cover end. Unfold the cover.
    (ii) Inspect each float area in contact with the emergency 
flotation gear protruding parts (supply bar, banjo union, and 
fittings) for chafing as shown in Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05A011, Revision 0, dated June 8, 2009, 
or Eurocopter ASB No. 05A008, Revision 0, dated June 8, 2009, as 
appropriate for your model helicopter.
    (iii) If there is any chafing between the protruding parts and 
the float fabric, before further flight, inspect the flotation gear.
    (A) Unfold and visually inspect the float assemblies for any 
cuts, tears, punctures, or abrasion. Replace the cover if the 
internal polycarbonate sheet is cut or if the cover is cut or 
punctured.
    (B) Lightly inflate the floats to approximately 50 hectopascals 
through the manual inflating valve and inspect the fabric panels and 
girts for any cuts, tears, punctures, or abrasion. If there is a 
cut, tear, puncture, or any abrasion, repair the float.
    (2) For emergency floatation gear that have accumulated less 
than 250 hours TIS, on or before accumulating 300 hours TIS, inspect 
the float gear as described in paragraph (e)(1)(i) through (iii) of 
this AD.
    (3) Within 300 hours TIS:
    (i) For Model EC120B helicopters, install protectors on and re-
identify the P/N of each LH and RH emergency floatation gear as 
described in the Operating Instructions, paragraph 2.C., of Aerazur 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 25-69-87, dated March 14, 2011. The 
Aerazur SB is attached as an appendix to Eurocopter Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. EC120-25A026, Revision 0, dated July 11, 2011.
    (ii) For Model EC130B4 helicopters, install protectors on and 
re-identify the P/N of each LH and RH emergency floatation gear as 
described in the Operating Instructions, paragraph 2., of Aerazur SB 
No. 25-69-58, dated March 14, 2011. The Aerazur SB is attached as an 
appendix to Eurocopter ASB No. EC130-25A042, Revision 0, dated July 
11, 2011.

(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) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD No. 2011-0185, dated September 23, 2011, which can 
be found in the AD Docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Eurocopter ASB No. EC120-25A026, Revision 0, dated July 11, 
2011, and Eurocopter ASB No. EC130-25A042, Revision 0, dated July 
11, 2011, which are not incorporated by reference, contain 
additional information about the subject of this AD. You may view 
this service information at the 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.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212: Emergency 
Flotation Section.

(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.

[[Page 52410]]

    (i) Aerazur SB No. 25-69-58, dated March 14, 2011, which is 
attached as an appendix to Eurocopter ASB No. EC130-25A042, Revision 
0, dated July 11, 2011.
    (ii) Aerazur SB No. 25-69-87, dated March 14, 2011, which is 
attached as an appendix to Eurocopter ASB No. EC120-25A026, Revision 
0, dated July 11, 2011.
    (iii) Eurocopter ASB No. 05A008, Revision 0, dated June 8, 2009.
    (iv) Eurocopter ASB No. 05A011, Revision 0, dated June 8, 2009.
    (3) For Eurocopter and Aerazur 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 that is incorporated 
by reference in the AD Docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    (5) You may also 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 August 2, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-19438 Filed 8-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P