Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76984-76986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29140]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0524; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-084-AD; 
Amendment 39-17696; AD 2013-24-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France 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 France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 
and EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires visually inspecting each 
jettisonable emergency exit window panel (window) for sealant, and 
removing any sealant that exists in the window's extruded sections. 
This AD was prompted by jettison tests during routine maintenance 
inspections that showed the windows failed to jettison. The actions of 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the windows to jettison, so 
helicopter occupants can exit the aircraft during an emergency.

DATES: This AD is effective January 24, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of January 24, 
2014.

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 20, 2013, at 78 FR 37156, 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 
AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters that have 
never undergone a window-jettison test. The NPRM proposed to require 
visually inspecting each window for sealant, and removing any sealant 
that exists in the window's extruded sections. The proposed 
requirements were intended to prevent failure of the windows to 
jettison, so helicopter occupants can exit the aircraft during an 
emergency.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2012-0152, dated August 13, 2012, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union. EASA issued AD No. 2012-0152 to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Eurocopter Model AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, 
AS 332 L1, AS 332 L2 and EC 225 LP helicopters. EASA reports that 
during required maintenance checks, there have been problems 
jettisoning emergency exit windows. According to EASA, investigations 
on several windows showed sealant between the extrusion and the window. 
``This condition, if not detected and corrected, could prevent the 
jettisoning of a window, possibly affecting the evacuation of 
passengers in the event of an emergency situation,'' EASA states.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 37156, June 20, 
2013).

[[Page 76985]]

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 applies to Model AS 332 C1 helicopters, and this AD 
does not because that model is not FAA type-certificated. The EASA AD 
requires the inspection of each window within 110 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) or six months, while this AD requires the inspection within 110 
hours TIS.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-56.00.04 
for Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters and 
ASB No. EC225-56A002 for the EC225LP helicopter, both Revision 0, and 
both dated August 8, 2012. Eurocopter advises of difficulties 
jettisoning the window panel when performing a jettison test due to 
sealant installed between the extrusion and the window. According to 
Eurocopter, jettison tests are to be performed every two years. The 
ASBs provide instructions to inspect each jettisonable window panel to 
determine whether there is sealant between the extrusion and the 
window.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 19 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor rates average $85 a work-hour. Based on these estimates, 
we expect the following costs:
    <bullet> Visually inspecting the windows for sealant requires 1 
work-hour for a labor cost of $85 per helicopter, and $1,615 for the 
U.S. fleet.
    <bullet> If needed, removing the sealant from the windows requires 
2 work-hours for a labor cost of $170 per window.

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

    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):

2013-24-19 Eurocopter France Helicopters: Amendment 39-17696; Docket 
No. FAA-2013-0524; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-084-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, 
AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in 
any category, that have never undergone a window-jettison test.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as the presence of sealant 
on an emergency exit window panel. This condition could result in 
the window failing to jettison, preventing the helicopter occupants 
from exiting the aircraft during an emergency.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective January 24, 2014.

(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

    Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS), visually inspect each 
jettisonable emergency exit window panel (window) by doing the 
following:
    (1) Lift the extrusion slightly using a flat tool that does not 
cause scoring.
    (2) Inspect for sealant on the inside and outside of the window 
between the window and the extrusion and between the extrusion and 
the structure.

    Note 1 to paragraph (e)(2) of this AD:  The presence of a 
sealant bead on the extrusion parting lines, on the window pull-out 
seal parting lines, and on the pull-out straps is expected, as shown 
in Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-
56.00.04 or ASB No. EC225-56A002, both Revision 0, and both dated 
August 8, 2012, as applicable to your model helicopter.

    (3) If there is no sealant as shown in Photo 1 of Figure 2 of 
Eurocopter ASB No. AS332-56.00.04 or ASB No. EC225-56A002, as 
applicable to your model helicopter, no further action is required.
    (4) If there is sealant between the structure and the profile as 
shown in Photo 2 of Figure 2 of Eurocopter ASB No. AS332-56.00.04 or 
ASB No. EC225-56A002, as applicable to your model helicopter, or if 
you cannot determine whether there is sealant, remove the extrusion.
    (5) Remove all sealant from the extrusion, the window, and the 
structure.
    (6) If there is any crazing, cracking or other damage on the 
extrusion, replace with an airworthy extrusion.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this

[[Page 76986]]

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. 2012-0152, dated August 13, 2012. You may view 
the EASA AD at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2013-
0524.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5220, Emergency 
Exits.

(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 Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-56.00.04, 
Revision 0, dated August 8, 2012.
    (ii) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC225-56A002, 
Revision 0, dated August 8, 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 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 27, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-29140 Filed 12-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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