Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35346-35348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14248]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0551; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-013-AD; 
Amendment 39-16714; AD 2011-12-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365C, SA-
365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) helicopters. This action 
requires visually inspecting the adhesive bead between the bushing and 
the Starflex star (Starflex) arm for a crack, a gap, or loss of the 
adhesive bead, inspecting the Starflex arm ends for delamination, and 
replacing the Starflex if any of these conditions are found. This 
amendment is prompted by three cases of deterioration of a Starflex 
arm. In two of these cases, the deterioration caused high amplitude 
vibrations in flight, compelling the pilot to make a precautionary 
landing. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the Starflex, high-amplitude vibrations in flight, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective July 5, 2011.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 5, 2011.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before August 16, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <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 docket that contains the 
AD, any comments, and other information 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 Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Grigg, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group (ASW-112), 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5126; fax: (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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. 2008-0165, dated August 28, 2008 (AD No. 2008-0165), which 
supersedes EASA Emergency AD No. 2006-0321-E, dated October 18, 2006, 
to correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Model SA-365C, SA-
365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 
helicopters. EASA issued AD No. 2008-0165 as a result of the issuance 
of Revision 3 of Eurocopter

[[Page 35347]]

Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) Numbers 05.00.51, 05.35, 05.28, 
and 05.00.21 (military only). EASA advises that their AD was issued 
following three reported cases of deterioration of a Starflex arm end. 
They state that in two of these cases, the deterioration caused high 
amplitude vibrations in flight, compelling the pilot to carry out a 
precautionary landing. EASA further states that if the Starflex arm end 
fails, high-amplitude vibrations could make it difficult to control the 
helicopter.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued one EASB, which applies to four different 
series helicopters, each with a different EASB number: No. 05.00.51 for 
the 365N series; No. 05.35 for the 366G1; No. 05.28 for the 365C 
series; and No. 05.00.21 for non-type certificated military 
helicopters; all Revision 3, and all dated August 18, 2008. This EASB 
specifies ``checks of the bushes'' installed on Starflex arm ends and 
reduces the interval between successive checks ``in order to be able to 
detect any bush bonding failure or distortion of a Starflex arm end as 
rapidly as possible.'' EASA classified this EASB as mandatory and 
issued AD No. 2008-0165 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
member states of the European Union and are approved for operation in 
the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with France, 
EASA, their technical representative, has notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in their 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 the same type designs. Therefore, this AD is being issued to prevent 
the failure of the Starflex, high amplitude vibrations in flight, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD requires, within 
10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 10 hours TIS, visually inspecting the adhesive bead between the 
bushing and the Starflex arm for a crack, a gap, or loss of the 
adhesive bead, inspecting the Starflex arm ends for delamination, and 
replacing the Starflex if any of these conditions are found. Accomplish 
the actions by following specified portions of the EASB described 
previously.
    The short compliance time involved is required because the 
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the 
structural integrity and controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, 
the actions described previously are required at very short TIS 
intervals, and this AD must be issued immediately.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    We have reviewed the EASA AD, and our AD differs from the EASA AD 
as follows:
    <bullet> The EASA AD uses the term ``check.'' We instead use the 
term ``inspect.''
    <bullet> The EASA AD uses the terms ``bush'' and ``bushes.'' We 
instead use the terms ``bushing'' and ``bushings.''
    <bullet> The EASA AD uses the term ``flying hours.'' We instead use 
the term ``time-in-service.''

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 37 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 0.25 work-hour per 
helicopter to inspect the Starflex arm end, and 10 work-hours to remove 
and replace the Starflex star, if necessary. The average labor rate is 
$85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $33,794. Based on 
these figures, we estimate that the total annual cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators is $50,369, assuming 20 inspections are conducted on 
each helicopter and assuming one Starflex star is replaced each year.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0551; Directorate 
Identifier 2009-SW-13-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 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 
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the 
docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You 
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

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.

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.

[[Page 35348]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2011-12-07 Eurocopter France (Eurocopter): Amendment 39-16714; 
Docket No. FAA-2011-0551; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-013-AD.

    Applicability: Models SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-
365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters; certificated 
in any category.
    Compliance: Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS.
    To prevent the failure of the Starflex star (Starflex) arm, high 
amplitude vibrations in flight, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Visually inspect the adhesive bead between the bushing and 
the Starflex arm for a crack, a gap, or loss of the adhesive bead, 
and inspect the Starflex arm ends for delamination in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.1 and 2.B.2 of 
Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 05.00.51 for 
the 365N series helicopters, No. 05.35 for the 366G1 model 
helicopter, or No. 05.28 for the 365C series helicopters, all 
Revision 3, and all dated August 18, 2008.

    Note 1: The one Eurocopter EASB contains four different service 
bulletin numbers: No. 05.00.51, No. 05.35; and No. 05.28 for the 
model helicopters affected by this AD; and No. 05.00.21 for non-type 
certificated military helicopters.

    (b) If there is a crack in the shockproof paint around the 
entire adhesive bead where the Starflex arm joins the bushing (as 
shown in Figure 2 of the applicable EASB), a gap between the 
adhesive bead and the bushing (as shown in Figure 3 of the 
applicable EASB), delamination of a Starflex arm end (as shown in 
Figure 4 of the applicable EASB), or loss of adhesive bead (as shown 
in Figure 5 of the applicable EASB), replace the Starflex before 
further flight.
    (c) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Manager, Safety Management Group, Attn: DOT/FAA 
Southwest Region, Jim Grigg, ASW-112, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5126; 
fax: (817) 222-5961, for information about previously approved 
alternative methods of compliance.
    (d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6200: 
Main Rotor System.
    (e) The inspection shall be done in accordance with the 
specified portions of Eurocopter France Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletins No. 05.00.51, No. 05.35, or No. 05.28. All three of the 
Alert Service Bulletins are Revision 3 and all are dated August 18, 
2008. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 
CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained 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. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas, 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    This amendment becomes effective on July 5, 2011.

    Note 2:  The subject of this AD is addressed in European 
Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2008-0165, dated August 28, 2008.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 25, 2011.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-14248 Filed 6-16-11; 8:45 am]
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