Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60681-60683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23092]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0480; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-090-AD; 
Amendment 39-17589; AD 2013-19-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, 
EC155B1, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters with 
certain EADS Sogerma pilot and co-pilot seats installed. This AD 
requires inspecting the rear beam of

[[Page 60682]]

each seat to determine if all of the weld beads are present and 
replacing the seat if any weld bead is missing. This AD is prompted by 
a maintenance inspection that discovered a missing weld bead on the 
rear beam of a pilot seat. These actions are intended to prevent 
failure of the pilot and co-pilot seats and subsequent injury to the 
pilot or co-pilot.

DATES: This AD is effective November 6, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of November 6, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: 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.

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 European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD, any incorporated-by-reference service information, 
the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, 
M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On June 5, 2013, at 78 FR 33766, the Federal Register published our 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Eurocopter Model SA-365N, 
SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, AS332C, AS332L, 
AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters with an EADS Sogerma pilot or 
co-pilot seat, part number (P/N) 2510106-03-00 or P/N 2510106-06-00, 
with a serial number 720 through 1451, installed. The NPRM proposed to 
require, within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting the rear 
beam of each pilot and co-pilot seat to determine if any weld beads are 
missing. If any weld beads are missing, before further flight, the NPRM 
proposed removing the seat from the helicopter and replacing it with an 
airworthy seat. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent 
failure of the pilot and co-pilot seats and subsequent injury to the 
pilot or co-pilot.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2012-0206, dated October 2, 2012 
(AD 2012-0206), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the 
Member States of the European Union. EASA advised that during a 
maintenance inspection, a weld bead was found missing on the rear beam 
of an EADS Sogerma pilot seat. According to EASA, this non-conformity 
impairs the seat anti-crash function and may be present on a limited 
number of seats installed on Eurocopter helicopters. EASA states that 
this condition, if not corrected, could lead to pilot injury following 
a hard landing following an emergency.
    To address this unsafe condition, EASA issued AD No. 2012-0084, 
dated May 16, 2012 (AD 2012-0084), to require inspecting the flight 
crew seats, replacing any improperly welded seat, and marking all 
correctly welded seats. After issuing AD 2012-0084, a missing weld bead 
was discovered on another part of the seat rear beam that was not 
required to be inspected. As a result, EASA issued AD 2012-0206, which 
superseded AD 2012-0084, to revise the inspection procedure and add new 
areas of the rear beam of the seat to be inspected.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 33766, 
June 5, 2013).

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 these same 
type designs and that air safety and the public interest require 
adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD allows compliance within 3 months or 50 flight hours, 
whichever occurs earlier; this AD requires compliance within 50 hours 
TIS. The EASA AD applies to Model AS332C1 helicopters. This AD does not 
because this model is not FAA type-certificated.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS365-
25.01.18 for Model SA-365N, SA-365 N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 
helicopters; ASB No. EC155-25A114 for Model EC155 B and EC155B1 
helicopters; ASB No. AS332-25.02.49 for model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, 
and AS332L2 helicopters; and ASB No. EC225-25A110 for Model EC225LP 
helicopters; all Revision 1, dated August 9, 2012. The ASBs incorporate 
the procedures in EADS Sogerma Inspection Service Bulletin No. 2510106-
25-888, Revision 1, dated July 16, 2012, for inspecting the rear beam 
of the pilot and co-pilot seats to verify all of the weld beads are 
present. The complete EADS Sogerma bulletin is contained in the 
Appendix of the ASBs. EASA classified these ASBs as mandatory and 
issued AD 2012-0206 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 65 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, 
inspecting the seats will require about .2 work-hour, for a cost per 
helicopter of $17 and a total cost to U.S. operators of $1,105. 
Replacing a seat with a missing weld bead will require about 1 work-
hour, and required parts will cost about $30,251, for a cost per 
helicopter of $30,336.
    According to Eurocopter's service information some of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by 
Eurocopter. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

[[Page 60683]]

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

    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 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:

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):

2013-19-07 Eurocopter France (Eurocopter): Amendment 39-17589; 
Docket No. FAA-2013-0480; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-090-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, 
AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and 
EC225LP helicopters with an EADS Sogerma pilot or co-pilot seat, 
part number (P/N) 2510106-03-00 or P/N 2510106-06-00, with a serial 
number 720 through 1451, installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a missing weld on a seat 
rear beam, which could result in failure of the seat and injury to 
the pilot during a hard landing.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 6, 2013.

(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 50 hours time-in-service, using a mirror, inspect the 
rear beam of each seat for weld beads in the areas depicted in the 
Appendix, Figure 1, of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
AS365-25.01.18 for model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 
helicopters; ASB No. EC155-25A114 for model EC155 B and EC155B1 
helicopters; ASB No. AS332-25.02.49 for model AS332C, AS332L, 
AS332L1, and AS332 L2 helicopters; and ASB No. EC225-25A110 for 
model EC225LP helicopters. All ASBs are Revision 1 and dated August 
9, 2012.
    (2) If any weld bead is missing from the rear beam, before 
further flight, remove the seat and replace it with an airworthy 
seat.
    (3) Do not install a seat listed in paragraph (a) of this AD on 
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: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, 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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2012-0206, dated October 2, 2012. You may view 
the EASA AD on the internet in the AD Docket at http://www.regulations.gov.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2510: Flight 
Compartment Equipment.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Eurocopter ASB No. AS365-25.01.18, Revision 1, dated August 
9, 2012.
    (ii) Eurocopter ASB No. AS332-25.02.49 Revision 1, dated August 
9, 2012.
    (iii) Eurocopter ASB No. EC155-25A114, Revision 1, dated August 
9, 2012.
    (iv) Eurocopter ASB No. EC225-25A110 Revision 1, dated August 9, 
2012.
    (3) For Eurocopter 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.
    (4) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    (5) You may also view this service information that is 
incorporated by reference 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 September 13, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23092 Filed 10-1-13; 8:45 am]
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