Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (ECF) Model SA330F, G, and J; and AS332C, L, L1, and L2 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 17, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70104-70105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28455]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0670; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-42-AD; 
Amendment 39-16513; AD 2010-23-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (ECF) Model SA330F, 
G, and J; and AS332C, L, L1, and L2 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified ECF model helicopters. This AD results from a mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the 
Member States of the European Community. The MCAI AD states that EASA 
received a report of a rear hinged door on a Model AS332L1 helicopter 
opening in flight without loss of the door. Examinations revealed 
incorrect positioning of a door catch that resulted in incorrect 
locking and uncontrolled opening of the door. This condition, if not 
detected and corrected, can lead to the loss of the hinged door in 
flight, damage to the main or tail rotor blades, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 22, 2010.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 22, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations office, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 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 AD Docket: The AD docket contains the Notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the economic evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address and operating hours 
for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) are in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after they are received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Gary Roach, 
ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations 
and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, 
telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that 
would apply to the specified ECF model helicopters on June 11, 2010. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 7, 2010 (75 FR 
38956). That NPRM proposed to require:
    <bullet> Within the next 220 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 6 
months, whichever occurs first, inspecting the positioning of each 
lower and upper door catch; and
    <bullet> If any door catch is improperly installed, before further 
flight, replacing the affected catch, adjusting the micro-switches, and 
doing a functional test of the hinged door indicating system.

Comments

    By publishing the NPRM, we gave the public an opportunity to 
participate in developing this AD. However, we received no comment on 
the NPRM or on our determination of the cost to the public. Therefore, 
based on our review and evaluation of the available data, we have 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed.

Related Service Information

    ECF has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 52.13 for the 
SA330F, G, and J helicopters, and 52.00.38 for the AS332C, C1, L, L1, 
and L2 helicopters, both ASBs dated December 1, 2008. The ASBs specify 
inspecting the upper and lower catches of the hinged doors to ensure 
the catches are correctly positioned. The actions described in the MCAI 
AD are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the 
service information. The AS332C1 is not type certificated in the United 
States.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition 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, their Technical Agent, has 
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    We refer to flight hours as hours TIS. This AD does not apply to 
the Model AS332C1 because that model is not FAA type certificated.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 10 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per 
helicopter to inspect each door catch for correct position of the door 
hinges, replace an affected

[[Page 70105]]

catch, adjust the micro-switches of the hinged door, and do a 
functional test. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. The cost 
of the required parts is minimal. Based on these figures, we estimate 
that the cost of this AD on U.S. operators is $1,700.

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 have 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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); 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. See the AD docket to 
examine the economic evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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:

2010-23-23 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-16513; Docket No. FAA-
2010-0670; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-42-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on 
December 22, 2010.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model SA330F, G, J, and AS332C, L, L1, 
and L2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD 
states that EASA received a report of a rear hinged door on a Model 
AS332L1 helicopter opening in flight without loss of the door. 
Examinations revealed incorrect positioning of a door catch that 
resulted in incorrect locking and uncontrolled opening of the door. 
This condition, if not detected and corrected, can lead to the loss 
of the hinged door in flight, damage to the main or tail rotor 
blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Required as indicated:
    (1) Within the next 220 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 6 months, 
whichever occurs first, unless done previously, inspect the position 
of each upper and lower door catch:
    (i) As depicted in Figures 1 through 4 and by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Table 1 of paragraph 2.B.2., of Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 52.13, dated December 1, 2008 (ASB 52.13) 
for the Model SA330F, G, and J helicopters, or
    (ii) As depicted in Figures 1 through 5 and by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Table 1 of paragraph 2.B.2. of ASB No. 
52.00.38, dated December 1, 2008 (ASB 52.00.38) for the Model 
AS332C, L, L1, and L2 helicopters.
    (2) Before further flight, replace each improperly positioned 
catch by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
2.B.3. and 2.B.4., of ASB 52.13 or ASB 52.00.38, as appropriate for 
your model helicopter.
    (3) Before further flight, adjust each micro-switch, and conduct 
a functional test of the hinged-door indicating system:
    (i) By following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
2.B.5. and 2.B.6., of ASB 52.13, for the Model SA330F, G, and J 
helicopters, or
    (ii) By following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
2.B.5.a. through 2.B.5.b. of ASB 52.00.38 for the Model AS332C, L, 
L1, and L2 helicopters.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    (f) We refer to flight hours as hours TIS. This AD does not 
apply to the Model AS332C1 because that model is not FAA type 
certificated.

Other Information

    (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, ATTN: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Gary Roach, 
ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
Regulations and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137, telephone (817) 222-5130, 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) EASA MCAI AD No. 2009-0015, dated January 21, 2009, contains 
related information.

Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code

    (i) The JASC Code is 5200: Doors.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the specified portions of Eurocopter Alert 
Service Bulletin No.52.00.38 or No. 52.13, both dated December 1, 
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 (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at 
http://www.eurocopter.com.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd, 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 1, 2010.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotocraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-28455 Filed 11-16-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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