Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 18 (Thursday, January 28, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4475-4477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-1515]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1146; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-38-AD; 
Amendment 39-16184; AD 2010-03-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L1, 
AS332L2, and EC225LP Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. This AD results 
from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by 
the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community. The MCAI states: 
``Recently, a report was received concerning the discovery of fragments 
of a plastic blanking plug (fitted to the harness belt buckle 5th 
attachment point) inside a seat harness belt buckle. Over time, this 
blanking plug hardens and becomes brittle. This condition, if not 
corrected, can lead to failure of the plug and fragments being caught 
inside the buckle, causing interference and preventing the belt from 
being released during an emergency evacuation of the aircraft.'' This 
AD requires actions that are intended to address this unsafe condition.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 12, 2010.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications is approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 12, 2010.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 29, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this AD from 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com.
    Examining the 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 economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is stated in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Schwab, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5114, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Community, has issued EASA AD No. 2008-0075, dated April 22, 
2008, to correct an unsafe condition for the ECF Model AS332L1, 
AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. EASA received a report concerning the 
discovery of fragments of a plastic blanking plug (fitted to the 
harness belt buckle 5th attachment point) inside a seat harness belt 
buckle. Over time, this blanking plug hardens, becomes brittle, and 
starts to deteriorate. This condition, if not corrected, can lead to 
fragments of the plug being caught inside the buckle, preventing the 
belt from releasing during an emergency evacuation of the aircraft.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI and any 
related service information in the AD docket.

Related Service Information

    ECF has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.72 for 
the Model AS332L1 and L2 helicopters and No. 04A003 for the Model 
EC225LP helicopters, both dated April 15, 2008. The seat buckles 
installed on the specified helicopters have five attachment points, and 
the seat harness belts have four attachment points only. Therefore, the 
5th belt buckle attachment point is blanked using a plastic blanking 
plug. These plastic blanking plugs harden and become brittle over time. 
Mishandling of the buckle can cause the blanking plug to fail and 
fragments may be caught inside the buckle. Any fragments inside the 
buckle can lead to interference and may prevent the buckle from 
releasing the belts. The service information specifies removing all 
seat harness belt buckle blanking plugs, part number (P/N) 332V85134620 
or P/N 332V85134621. The actions described in the MCAI are intended to 
correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in the service 
information.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral

[[Page 4476]]

agreement with France, they have notified us of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI. 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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    This AD does not require you to return the parts to the 
manufacturer. Also, we refer to the compliance time as 30 days rather 
than 1 month.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 6 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about .4 work-hour per 
helicopter to inspect for a failed blanking plug and replace the belt 
buckle with an airworthy belt buckle if the plug has failed. The 
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about 
$250 per belt buckle. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators will be $1,692, assuming 1 belt buckle per 
helicopter is replaced.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. We find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving 
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because this unsafe 
condition requires immediate adoption of this AD due to possible 
inability to release the seat belts from the seat harness belt buckle 
during an emergency evacuation of the helicopter. Therefore, we have 
determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before 
issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send us any written data, views, or 
arguments concerning this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section of this AD. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-
1146; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-38-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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 product(s) identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that 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.
    Therefore, I certify this AD:
    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); and
    3. 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

0
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 AD:

2010-03-01 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-16184. Docket No. FAA-
2009-1146; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-38-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on 
February 12, 2010.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP 
helicopters with the following seat harnesses, fitted with blanking 
plugs, part number (P/N) 332V85134620 or P/N 332V85134621, except 
seat harnesses modified by Eurocopter MOD 332V080169, installed, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Harness manufacturer                   Seat harness P/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schroth......................  P/N 1-10-725203.
                               P/N 1-10-P65203.
                               On Fisher Harmony single seats, P/N
                                03140000011X205 (Eurocopter P/N
                                704A41210112).
                               On Fisher Harmony two-seat benches, P/N
                                03150000011XX205 (Eurocopter P/N
                                704A41210113).
AM-SAFE......................  P/N 503583-407-2251.
                               P/N 503583-408-2251.
                               On Sicma single seats with the following
                                P/Ns:
                                  P/N 17911-02-00 (Eurocopter P/N
                                   704A41210102).
                                  P/N 17911-03-00 (Eurocopter P/N
                                   704A41210105).
                                  P/N 17912-02-00 (Eurocopter P/N
                                   704A41210103).

[[Page 4477]]

 
                                  P/N 17912-03-00 (Eurocopter P/N
                                   704A41210106).
                               On Sicma two-seat benches with the
                                following P/Ns:
                                  P/N 17920-02-00 (Eurocopter P/N
                                   704A41210104).
                                  P/N 17920-03-00 (Eurocopter P/N
                                   704A41210107).
                                  P/N 504729-401-2251 on rear bench
                                   seats (all P/Ns).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note: Embodiment of MOD 332V080169 can be checked visually by 
verifying that no blanking plug is fitted on the 5th attachment 
point of the buckle plus verifying that aircraft records indicate 
the blanking plug has been removed by following MOD 332V080169.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states: ``Recently, a report was received concerning the discovery 
of fragments of a plastic blanking plug (fitted to the harness belt 
buckle 5th attachment point) inside a seat harness belt buckle. Over 
time, this blanking plug hardens and becomes brittle. This 
condition, if not corrected, can lead to failure of the plug and 
fragments being caught inside the buckle, causing interference and 
preventing the belt from being released during an emergency 
evacuation of the aircraft.''

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously, do 
the following:
    (1) Within 30 days, pry out the blanking plug from each seat 
harness belt buckle.
    (2) If the removed blanking plug has deteriorated (fragmented), 
before further flight, replace the belt buckle with an airworthy 
belt buckle without a plastic blanking plug. Do this replacement as 
depicted in Figures 7 and 8 for the ``AM-SAFE'' belt buckle and 
Figure 9 for the ``SCHROTH'' belt buckle of Eurocopter Emergency 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 01.00.72 for the Model AS332L1 and 
L2 and ASB No. 04A003 for the Model EC225LP helicopters, both dated 
April 15, 2008. To replace a belt buckle, follow the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.b. of ASB 01.00.72 or ASB 04A003, both 
dated April 15, 2008, as applicable to your model helicopter, except 
this AD does not require you to return the harness belt buckle to 
the manufacturer.
    (i) Conduct a buckle fastening release test to ensure the buckle 
works correctly.
    (ii) Inspect the positioning of the seat harness belt on the 
buckle to assure that it is as depicted in Figure 6 of the ASB, as 
applicable to your model helicopter.
    (3) If the blanking plug has not deteriorated, return the buckle 
to service without the blanking plug.

    Note: This modifies the buckle to be airworthy without the 
blanking plug.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    (f) This AD does not require you to return the harness belt 
buckle to the manufacturer. Also, we use a compliance time of 30 
days rather than 1 month.

Other Information

    (g) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, ATTN: George 
Schwab, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5114, fax (817) 222-5961 has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested, using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2008-0075, 
dated April 22, 2008, contains related information.

Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code

    (i) JASC Code 2500: Cabin Equipment & Furnishings.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the specified portions of Eurocopter Emergency 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.72 for the Model AS332L1 and L2 
helicopters and No. 04A003 for the Model EC225LP helicopters, both 
dated April 15, 2008, to do the actions required.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527, or at 
http://www.eurocopter.com.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137; or 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 November 24, 2009.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-1515 Filed 1-27-10; 8:45 am]
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