Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7386-7388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01952]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0039; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-058-AD; 
Amendment 39-17737; AD 2014-02-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) 
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 Model EC225LP and AS332L1 helicopters with emergency 
floatation gear. The AD requires, before the next overwater flight, 
inspecting the strap installation on the hinged rods of the emergency 
flotation gear on both rear cradles for correct installation. If a 
strap is installed under the hinged rod median plate rather than over 
it, reinstalling the strap is required. The AD is prompted by incorrect 
routing of the straps on the hinged rods of the emergency flotation 
gear rear cradles. The actions are intended to detect incorrect strap 
installation and prevent failure of the rods or straps upon deployment 
of the emergency flotation gear, incorrect float position, and 
subsequent capsizing of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 24, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of February 24, 
2014.
    We must receive comments on this AD by April 8, 2014.

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 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 (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: Gary Roach, 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.

Discussion

    We are adopting a new AD for Eurocopter Model EC225LP and

[[Page 7387]]

AS332L1 helicopters. The AD requires, before the next overwater flight, 
inspecting the strap installation on the hinged rods of the emergency 
flotation gear for both rear cradles for correct installation. If at 
least one strap is incorrectly installed, the AD requires reinstalling 
the strap over the hinged rod median plate rather than under it. The AD 
is prompted by incorrect routing of the straps on Model EC225LP. 
Investigation indicates that the maintenance work cards and tasks for 
Model EC225LP and AS332L1 helicopters are not specific enough to 
describe the removal or installation of the emergency flotation gear 
rear cradle assembly, which can lead to incorrect routing of the 
straps. The maintenance work cards and tasks for other Eurocopter 
helicopters are more precise about the removal or installation for the 
rear cradle.
    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2013-0237-E, dated September 26, 
2013, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Model EC225LP 
helicopters equipped with emergency flotation gear and Model AS332L1 
helicopters equipped with emergency flotation gear with Eurocopter 
Modification (MOD) OP26277. EASA advises of incorrect routing of the 
straps on the hinged rods of left-hand (LH) side and right-hand (RH) 
side rear cradles of the emergency flotation gear installation on 
several recently delivered Model EC225 helicopters. According to EASA, 
the straps were routed over the median plate of the hinged rod instead 
of under it. EASA further advises that some Model AS332L1 helicopters 
(those incorporating MOD OP26277) are equipped with an emergency 
flotation gear of similar design. EASA states that this condition, if 
not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of the hinged rods 
and straps upon deployment of the emergency flotation gear during 
ditching and consequent unsafe positioning of the rear floats, possibly 
resulting in a helicopter capsizing. Therefore, the EASA AD requires a 
one-time inspection of the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear 
LH and RH rear cradles and accomplishing applicable corrective actions.

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.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter issued one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB), 
Revision 0, dated September 25, 2013, with four different numbers: No. 
25.02.76 relates to the FAA type-certificated Model AS332L1 helicopter 
and to the military Model AS332M1 helicopter. No. 25.01.62 relates to 
military Model AS532AL and UL helicopters. No. 25A142 relates to the 
FAA type-certificated Model EC225LP helicopter. No. 25A060 relates to 
the military Model EC725AP helicopter. The EASB specifies checking the 
routing of the straps on the hinged rods of the emergency flotation 
gear LH and RH rear cradles and making the installation compliant if 
necessary.

AD Requirements

    The AD requires before the next overwater flight:
    <bullet> Inspecting the strap installation on the hinged rods of 
the emergency flotation gear on both rear cradles for correct 
installation.
    <bullet> If any strap is routed under the hinged rod's median 
plate, reinstalling the strap so that the strap is routed over the 
median plate.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 14 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work 
hour. We estimate 0.25 work-hour to inspect each helicopter for correct 
installation of the strap for a total of $21 per helicopter and $294 
for the fleet. We estimate 0.5 work-hour to correct any improper 
installation of the straps for a total of $43 per helicopter.

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. The required corrective 
actions must be done prior to the next overwater flight, which are 
prohibited until the inspection of the strap for incorrect routing on 
the hinged rods of the rear cradles of the emergency flotation gear 
installation is done. Therefore, we find that the risk to the flying 
public justifies waiving notice and comment period prior to adopting 
this rule because some of these helicopters are used exclusively for 
offshore operations.
    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.

[[Page 7388]]

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):

2014-02-09 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-17737; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0039; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-058-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC225LP helicopters with emergency 
flotation gear installed and Model AS332L1 helicopters with 
emergency flotation gear with Eurocopter Modification OP26277 
installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as incorrect routing of a 
strap under the hinged rod median plate of an emergency flotation 
gear rear cradle. This condition could result in failure of the rods 
or straps upon deployment of the emergency flotation gear, incorrect 
float position, and subsequent capsizing of the helicopter.

 (c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 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

    (1) Before the next overwater flight, inspect each left hand and 
right hand rear cradle strap on the hinged rods of the emergency 
flotation gear for correct installation as shown in Photo 1, Figure 
1, of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 25A142, 
Revision 0, dated September 25, 2013 (EASB No. 25A142), for Model 
EC225LP helicopters or EASB No. 25.02.76, Revision 0, dated 
September 25, 2013 (EASB No. 25.02.76), for Model AS332L1 
helicopters. Both straps must be installed over the hinged rod's 
median plate.
    (2) If any strap is installed under the plate as shown in Photo 
2, Figure 1, of EASB No. 25A142 or No. 25.02.76, reinstall each 
incorrectly routed strap so that each strap is installed over the 
plate as depicted in Figure 2 and Figure 3 of EASB No. 25A142 or No. 
25.02.76, as applicable to your model helicopter.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited for flights over water.

(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, 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.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0237-E, dated September 26, 2013. You may 
view the EASA AD at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-
2014-0039.

 (i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212 Emergency 
Flotation Section.

 (j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 EASB No. 25.02.76, Revision 0, dated September 
25, 2013.
    (ii) Eurocopter EASB No. 25A142, Revision 0, dated September 25, 
2013.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i)(2): Eurocopter EASB No. 25.02.76, 
Revision 0, dated September 25, 2013, and Eurocopter EASB No. 
25A142, Revision 0, dated September 25, 2013, are co-published as 
one document along with Eurocopter EASB No. 25.01.62, Revision 0, 
dated September 25, 2013, and Eurocopter ASB No. 25A060, Revision 0, 
dated September 25, 2013, which are not incorporated by reference.

    (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 January 10, 2014.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-01952 Filed 2-6-14; 8:45 am]
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