Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64706-64709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25894]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1128; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-064-AD; 
Amendment 39-17225; AD 2012-21-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France 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 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC225 helicopters with certain 
epicyclic modules installed. This AD requires inspecting the epicyclic 
module for the presence of a through-hole upstream of the magnetic 
plug. This AD is prompted by a report of a missing through-hole between 
the integrated collector and the magnetic plug, which would prevent the 
flow of chips from the integrated collector to the magnetic plug. This 
could result in the chip-detector system failing to detect 
deterioration of the main rotor mast lift bearing (lift bearing). These 
actions are intended to detect a missing through-hole and prevent lift 
bearing failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 7, 2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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 economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rao Edupuganti, 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:

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we 
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the 
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that 
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

[[Page 64707]]

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Emergency AD No. 2012-0144-E, dated August 1, 2012 (EAD 2012-0144-E), 
to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Model EC225 LP 
helicopters, delivered before August 1, 2012, with an epicyclic module 
part number (P/N) 332A32-5021-00 or P/N 332A32-5021-01 installed. EASA 
advises that the main rotor transmission incorporates a metal chip 
detection system to detect possible metal deterioration inside the 
assembly. EASA states the tapered housing of the epicyclic module is 
fitted with a magnetic plug, located downstream of the integrated 
collector, designed to detect possible deterioration of the lift 
bearing by attracting any metallic particles or chips suspended in the 
oil flow. According to EASA, it was reported that the hole joining the 
integrated collector and the magnetic plug was not a through hole, 
which prevented oil flow to the magnetic plug. This condition resulted 
in a functional loss of the magnetic plug to detect any particles or 
chips which may have been shed by the lift bearing. Because the root 
cause of the missing through-hole has not been identified, and is still 
under investigation, it cannot be determined if this unsafe condition 
is limited to one helicopter. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in failure of the main rotor transmission and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter. To address this condition, EAD 2012-0144-E 
requires inspecting for the presence of a through hole between the 
integrated collector and the magnetic plug in the epicyclic module. If 
the through hole is missing, EAD 2012-0144-E requires repetitive 
inspections of the two rotor revolution (NR) sensors for the presence 
of any particles.

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 the same type 
design.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has published Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) 
No. 63A011, Revision 0, dated August 1, 2012, for Model EC225 
helicopters. The EASB describes procedures to inspect the epicyclic 
module chip detection system for the presence of a through-hole in the 
tapered housing. The EASB also describes procedures for a repetitive 
inspection for any chips on the two NR sensors if the through-hole is 
not present.
    EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and issued EAD 2012-0144-E to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting 
the epicyclic module for a through-hole above the magnetic plug. If the 
hole is not a through-hole, this AD requires replacing the epicyclic 
module before further flight.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    If there is not a through-hole in the epicyclic module, the EASA AD 
requires a repetitive inspection for any chips on the two NR sensors, 
while this AD requires replacing the epicyclic module.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 3 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. Inspecting the epicyclic module will 
require .5 work-hour, at an average labor rate of $85 per hour, for a 
cost of $43 per helicopter, and a total cost to U.S. operators of $129. 
If required, replacing the epicyclic module will require 10 work-hours, 
at an average labor rate of $85 per hour, and required parts will cost 
$554,204, for a total cost per helicopter of $555,054.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting 
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions 
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that 
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment 
prior to the adoption of this rule because the required corrective 
actions must be accomplished within 10 hours TIS.
    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we 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 less than 30 days.

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 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, 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:

[[Page 64708]]

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):

2012-21-09 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-17225; Docket No. FAA-
2012-1128; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-064-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC225 LP 
helicopters, with an epicyclic module, part number (P/N) 332A32-
5021-00 or 332A32-5021-01, installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a missing through-hole, 
joining the integrated collector to the magnetic plug. This 
condition could result in failure of the chip-detector system to 
detect deterioration of the main rotor mast lift bearing, failure of 
the lift bearing, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 7, 2012.

(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) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the tapered 
housing of the epicyclic module to determine if there is a through-
hole upstream of the magnetic plug.
    (i) Remove the magnetic plug and support from the housing.
    (ii) Determine if the hole above the magnetic plug is a through-
hole as shown in figures 1 and 2 to paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23OC12.000

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23OC12.001

    (2) If the hole above the magnetic plug is not a through-hole, 
before further flight, replace the epicyclic module with an 
airworthy epicyclic module.
    (3) Do not install an epicyclic module, P/N 332A32-5021-00 or 
332A32-5021-01, on

[[Page 64709]]

any helicopter unless it has been inspected as required by this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, 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) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 63A011, 
Revision 0, dated August 1, 2012, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. 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 a copy of the service information at the FAA, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth Texas 76137.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD No. 2012-0144-E, dated August 1, 2012.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320: Main Rotor 
Gearbox.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 15, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-25894 Filed 10-22-12; 8:45 am]
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