Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, and EC130 B4 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 18, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28637-28639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11795]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1228; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-12-AD; 
Amendment 39-16693; AD 2011-10-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, B1, B2, 
B3, BA, and EC130 B4 Helicopters

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
specified Eurocopter France (ECF) helicopters. This AD results from a 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the 
aviation authority of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which 
is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. 
The superseding MCAI AD states that several engine flameouts have 
involved failure of the 41-tooth pinion in the engine accessory 
gearbox. Each affected helicopter had a starter-generator manufactured 
by one company. Investigation revealed the torque damping system of the 
starter-generator was inoperative due to incorrect adjustment that 
caused bending stresses on the 41-tooth pinion. Failure of the pinion 
causes the engine fuel pump to stop operating, resulting in an engine 
flameout. The EASA AD requires a new adjustment procedure to optimize 
the performance of the specified starter-generator damping assembly. 
This AD is intended to prevent failure of a pinion and a fuel pump, 
engine flameout, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 22, 2011.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications is approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 22, 2011.

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 972-641-3460, fax 972-641-3527, or at http://www.eurocopter.com.
    Examining the AD Docket: The AD docket contains this Final rule, 
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, Ed Cuevas, 
ASW-112, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety 
Management Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, 
telephone 817-222-5355, 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 helicopters on December 6, 2010. That 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2010 (75 FR 
79988). That NPRM proposed to require within 110 hours time-in-service 
or 3 months, whichever occurs first:
    <bullet> Modifying and marking the Aircraft Parts Corporation (APC) 
starter generator; and
    <bullet> Before installing an APC starter-generator with a part 
number (P/N) of 150SG122Q or 200SGL130Q, complying with the 
requirements of the proposed AD.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI AD and any 
related service information in the AD docket.

Comments

    By publishing the NPRM, we gave the public an opportunity to 
participate in

[[Page 28638]]

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. 80.00.07, Revision 
1, dated February 6, 2009, for the Model AS350B, BA, BB, B1, B2, and B3 
helicopters; and ASB No. 80A003, Revision 1, dated February 6, 2009, 
for the Model EC130 B4 helicopters. The Model AS350 BB helicopter is 
not type certificated in the United States. These ASBs specify 
disassembly of the damping system, replacing the Belleville springs 
(cup springs) and the self-locking nut, and aligning the shaft damping 
system of the APC starter-generator.
    The actions described in the MCAI AD are intended to correct the 
same unsafe condition as that identified in the service information.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    The MCAI AD refers to flight hours instead of hours time-in-
service.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 847 helicopters. We also 
estimate that it will take about 3 work-hours per helicopter to modify 
the starter-generator. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. ECF 
states in its ASBs that one nut (P/N 150SG1071, $36.12) and two springs 
(P/N 150SG1093, $29.14 each) are required for the P/N 150SG122Q 
starter-generator and one nut (P/N 150SG1071, $36.12) and two springs 
(P/N 200SGL1093, $33.64 each) are required for the P/N 200SGL130Q 
starter-generator. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
AD on U.S. operators to be $299,749 ($215,985 for labor and $83,764 for 
parts), assuming that both starter-generators are evenly distributed in 
the fleet and that the entire fleet is modified.

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 helicopters 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

    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:

2011-10-12 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-16693; Docket No. FAA-
2010-1228; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-12-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on June 
22, 2011.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, and EC130 
B4 helicopters with ARRIEL engines with Aircraft Parts Corporation 
(APC) starter-generators, part number (P/N) 150SG122Q or P/N 
200SGL130Q, without ``004'' marked on the identification plate, 
installed, certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD 
states that several engine flameouts involved failure of the 41-
tooth pinion in the engine accessory gearbox that caused the engine 
fuel pump to fail. Each affected helicopter had an APC (currently 
UNISON) starter-generator installed. Investigation revealed the 
torque damping system of the starter-generator was inoperative. The 
EASA AD requires a new adjustment procedure to optimize the 
performance of the specified starter-generator damping assembly. The 
required actions are intended to prevent failure of a pinion and a 
fuel pump, engine flameout, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, 
whichever occurs first, unless already accomplished, do the 
following:
    (1) Replace the cup springs and fan nut, functionally test the 
damping system, and after this modification, mark ``004'' on the 
identification plate of the APC starter generator, as depicted in 
Figures 1 and 2, and by following the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2.B.2., of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
80.00.07, Revision 1, dated February 6, 2009, for the Model AS350B, 
BA, B1, B2, and B3 helicopters; or ASB No. 80A003, Revision 1, dated 
February 6, 2009, for the Model EC130 B4 helicopter.
    (2) Before installing an APC starter-generator with P/N 
150SG122Q or P/N 200SGL130Q, comply with the requirements of this 
AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    (f) The MCAI AD refers to flight hours instead of hours time-in-
service.

Other Information

    (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, Attn: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Ed Cuevas, 
ASW-112, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety 
Management Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, 
telephone 817-222-5355, 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 AD No. 2009-0027, dated February 18, 2009, which 
supersedes and cancels EASA AD No. 2009-0004, dated January 12, 
2009, contains related information.

[[Page 28639]]

Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code

    (i) The JASC Code is 2435: Starter-Generator.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the specified portions of Eurocopter Alert 
Service Bulletin No. 80.00.07, Revision 1, dated February 6, 2009; 
or Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 80A003, Revision 1, dated 
February 6, 2009, 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, 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 April 28, 2011.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-11795 Filed 5-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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