Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70202-70205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27637]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0354; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-072-AD; 
Amendment 39-17665; AD 2013-23-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010- 21-01 
for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D, 
AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N

[[Page 70203]]

helicopters. AD 2010-21-01 required an inspection to determine whether 
a cross-member is installed at station X 2165 and doublers at X 2325 
and Y 269, and installing them if they are missing. This new AD retains 
the requirements of AD 2010-21-01 but clarifies the inspection 
procedures and limits the applicability to only those helicopters with 
collective-to-yaw control coupling. This AD is prompted by a crack 
discovered in the area of the center cross-member at station X 2325, at 
the attachment point of the yaw channel ball-type control sheath stop, 
of a Model AS355N helicopter fitted with the collective-to-yaw control 
coupling. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent reduced yaw 
control and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

DATES: This AD is effective December 30, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of December 30, 
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: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2010-21-01, Amendment 39-16461 (75 FR 63050, 
October 14, 2010), which applied to Eurocopter Model AS350B, BA, B1, 
B2, B3, D, AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters. The NPRM was published 
in the Federal Register on July 3, 2013 (78 FR 40045). AD No. 2010-21-
01 required within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 1 month, 
inspecting the helicopters to determine whether a cross-member is 
installed at station X 2165 and doublers at X 2325 and Y 269. If the 
cross-member and doublers are not installed, AD No. 2010-21-01 required 
inspecting for a crack in the center cross-member, and replacing the 
center cross-member if there is a crack before further flight. If a 
crack does not exist, AD No. 2010-21-01 required inspecting the tail 
rotor control rigging before further flight. Lastly, if needed, AD 
2010-21-01 required installing a cross-member and two doublers within 
55 hours TIS. AD 2010-21-01 was prompted by AD No. 2007-0139-E, dated 
May 15, 2007 (corrected May 23, 2007), issued by EASA, which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA 
advised that a crack was discovered in the area of the center cross-
member at station X 2325, at the attachment point of the yaw channel 
ball-type control sheath stop, of a Model AS355N helicopter fitted with 
the collective-to-yaw control coupling.
    Since we issued AD No. 2010-21-01, we discovered that we included 
all helicopters in the AD applicability rather than limiting it to only 
those helicopters with collective-to-yaw control coupling. Therefore, 
this new AD retains the requirements in AD No. 2010-21-01 with some 
revisions for the inspection of the tail rotor control rigging to 
clarify those procedures. This AD also reduces the applicability to 
only those Model AS350 and AS355 helicopters with collective-to-yaw 
control coupling installed.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 40045, July 3, 
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

    This AD differs from the EASA AD as follows:
    <bullet> We require the installation of the cross-member at station 
X 2165 and the two doublers at stations X 2325 and Y 269 within 55 
hours time-in-service. The EASA AD requires that this action be 
accomplished within 12 months.
    <bullet> We do not require repetitive inspections if no crack 
exists in the center cross-member, whereas the EASA AD does.
    <bullet> We do not include military model helicopters in the 
applicability.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB), 
Revision 0, dated April 11, 2007, that contains three different numbers 
(Nos. 53.00.37, 53.00.11, and 53.00.23) for Eurocopter Model 350, 355, 
550, and 555 helicopters. EASB No. 53.00.37 relates to two Model 350 
(350 BB and 350 L1) helicopters that are not type certificated in the 
United States. EASB No. 53.00.11 relates to four Model 550 and six 
Model 555 military helicopters that are not type-certificated in the 
United States. The EASB describes procedures for checking the 
conformity for the cross member at X 2325 under the cabin floor. The 
actions in the EASA AD are intended to correct the same unsafe 
condition as that identified in the service bulletin.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 72 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. It takes about one work-
hour to perform the inspections, and if needed, to install the cross-
member, two doublers and an airworthy center-cross member. Required 
parts cost about $161 per helicopter. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of the AD to be $246 per helicopter and $17,712 for 
the fleet if all repairs are needed.

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:

[[Page 70204]]

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

    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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2010-21-01, Amendment 39-16461 (75 FR 63050, October 14, 2010), and 
adding the following new AD:

2013-23-10 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-17665; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0354; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-072-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, 
B3, D, AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters with collective-to-yaw 
control coupling, part number 350A27-2178-04, 350A27-2178-06, or 
350A27-2178-0601, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as reduced yaw control 
travel, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2010-21-01, Amendment 39-16461 (75 FR 
63050, October 14, 2010).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 30, 2013.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within one month, 
whichever occurs first, determine whether the cross-member (numbered 
``1'') at station X 2165 and the two doublers (numbered ``2'' and 
``3'') at stations X 2325 and Y 269 are installed as shown in Figure 
1 of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 
53.00.37, Revision 0, dated April 11, 2007 (EASB 53.00.37), for 
Model AS350 helicopters and EASB No. 53.00.23, Revision 0, dated 
April 11, 2007 (EASB 53.00.23), for Model AS355 helicopters.
    (2) If the cross-member (numbered ``1'') and doublers (numbered 
``2'' and ``3'') are not installed, before further flight, inspect 
for a crack in the center cross-member (numbered ``4'') in the area 
around the attachment point of the tail rotor directional ball-type 
control as shown in Figure 1 of EASB 53.00.37 for Model AS350 
helicopters or EASB 53.00.23 for Model AS355 helicopters.
    (i) If a crack exists, before further flight, replace the 
unairworthy center cross-member (Numbered ``4'') with an airworthy 
center cross-member as described in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.
    (ii) If a crack does not exist, before further flight, inspect 
the tail rotor control rigging to determine whether it meets 
conformity limits.
    (A) If all items of the tail rotor control rigging are found 
within conformity limits, install the cross-member and doublers as 
described in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.
    (B) For any items of the tail rotor control rigging found 
outside of conformity limits, perform appropriate corrective action 
in accordance with FAA-accepted procedures, and install the cross-
member and doublers as described in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.
    (3) Within 55 hours TIS, if the cross member (Numbered ``1'') is 
not installed, install the cross-member at station X 2165 and the 2 
doublers (Numbered ``2'' and ``3'') at stations X 2325 and Y 269 by 
following the Appendix, the referenced figures 2 and 3 of EASB 
53.00.37 for Model AS350 helicopters or EASB 53.00.23 for Model 
AS355 helicopters.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 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.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2007-0139-E, dated May 15, 2007 
(corrected May 23, 2007). You may view the EASA AD at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0354.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5320, Fuselage 
Miscellaneous Structure.

(j) 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 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.37, 
Revision 0, dated April 11, 2007.
    (ii) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.23, 
Revision 0, dated April 11, 2007.

    Note 1 to paragraph (j)(2):  Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin (EASB) No. 53.00.37, Revision 0, dated April 11, 2007, and 
Eurocopter EASB No. 53.00.23, Revision 0, dated April 11, 2007, are 
co-published as one document along with Eurocopter EASB No. 
53.00.11, Revision 0, dated April 11, 2007, which is not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.

    (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)

[[Page 70205]]

641-3775; or at http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may 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 November 5, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-27637 Filed 11-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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