Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter France)

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9395-9397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02972]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0737; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-111-AD; 
Amendment 39-17739; AD 2014-03-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Eurocopter France)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and SA330J helicopters. 
This AD requires inspecting the crimping of the ball joint of the 
upper- and lower- end-fittings of the main servo-control and, depending 
on findings, replacing the main servo-control or repairing the ball 
joint. This AD was prompted by incidents of missing crimping on the 
ball joints of servo-control end-fittings. The actions of this AD are 
intended to prevent failure of a main servo-control upper end fitting, 
and subsequent failure of the flight controls and loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective March 26, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of March 26, 2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at 
http://www.airbushelicopters.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

[[Page 9396]]

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: Matt Wilbanks, 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:

Discussion

    On August 20, 2013, at 78 FR 51115, 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 certain Eurocopter 
France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and SA330J 
helicopters. The NPRM proposed visually inspecting the applicable ball 
joint of the upper and lower end-fittings of the main servo control for 
crimping. If the ball joint of the upper end-fitting was not crimped 
and the slipping of the ball joint was one millimeter (mm) or greater, 
the NPRM proposed replacing the servo-control. If the ball joint of the 
upper end-fitting was not crimped and the slipping of the ball joint 
was less than one mm, the NPRM proposed replacing the servo-control or 
crimping the ball joint. If the ball joint of the lower end-fitting was 
not crimped, the NPRM proposed crimping the ball joint. The proposed 
requirements were intended to prevent failure of a main servo-control 
upper end fitting, and subsequent failure of the flight controls and 
loss of control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2012-0248, dated November 20, 2012, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Model 
AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, AS 332 L2, and SA 330 J 
helicopters with certain part-numbered main servo-controls installed. 
EASA advises that several occurrences were reported to Eurocopter of 
missing crimping on ball joints of servo-control end-fittings. EASA 
states that while slipping of the ball joint of the lower end-fitting 
does not affect its service life, slipping of the ball joint of the 
upper end-fitting can lead to a significant reduction of the service 
life of this end-fitting. As a result, the EASA AD requires inspecting 
each ball joint for crimping and, depending on the findings, replacing 
the main servo-control.

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 51115, 
August 20, 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 except for a minor editorial 
change. The type certificate holder's name for the affected models in 
this AD changed from Eurocopter France to Airbus Helicopters on January 
10, 2014. This editorial change is consistent with the intent of the 
proposals in the NPRM (78 FR 51115, August 20, 2013) and will not 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
this AD.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter issued one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) with 
three different numbers, all Revision 1, and all dated December 5, 
2012. EASB No. 67.00.45 applies to civilian Model AS332C, AS332C1, 
AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and military Model AS332B, AS332B1, AS332M, 
AS332M1, and AS332F1 helicopters. EASB No. 67.00.31 applies to military 
Model AS532AC, AS532AL, AS532SC, AS532UC, AS532UE, AS532UL, AS532A2, 
and AS532U2 helicopters. EASB No. 67.19 applies to civilian Model 
SA330J and military Model SA330Ba, SA330Ca, SA330Ea, SA330L, SA330Jm, 
SA330S1, and SA330Sm helicopters. The EASB specifies visually checking 
for crimping of the ball joints of the upper- and lower- servo control 
end-fittings and informing the Eurocopter Technical Support Department 
of any ball joint that is not crimped. For an upper end-fitting ball 
joint that is not crimped and slips one mm or greater, the EASB 
specifies returning the servo-control for replacement of the ball joint 
and the end-fitting. For an upper end-fitting ball joint that is not 
crimped and slips less than one mm, the EASB specifies either crimping 
the ball joint or returning the servo-control for ball joint crimping. 
For a lower end-fitting ball joint that is not crimped, the EASB states 
to crimp the ball joint. The EASB also states that if a ball joint is 
crimped, no action on that ball joint is required in regard to this 
unsafe condition.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 18 helicopters of U.S. Registry. 
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. We estimate it will take 1 work-hour to inspect 
the ball joint for crimping at an average labor cost of $85 per work-
hour. Based on these figures, it will cost about $85 per helicopter for 
the inspection, or $1,530 for U.S. operators. We estimate it will take 
4 work-hours to replace a servo-control and parts will cost 
approximately $60,358 for a total estimated cost of $60,698 for 
replacement.
    According to the Eurocopter 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 
Airbus Helicopters, Eurocopter, or UTC Actuation Systems/Goodrich 
Actuation Systems. 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 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.

[[Page 9397]]

    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):

2014-03-02 Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate previously held by 
Eurocopter France): Amendment 39-17739; Docket No. FAA-2013-0737; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-111-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following model helicopters, certificated 
in any category, with a part-numbered main servo-control listed 
below: overhauled or repaired by UTC Actuation Systems/Goodrich 
Actuation Systems between June 1, 2008, and September 15, 2012, 
inclusive; or with a serial number listed in Appendix 1 of 
Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 67.00.45 (EASB 
67.00.45) or 67.19 (EASB 67.19), both Revision 1, and both dated 
December 5, 2012, as applicable to your model helicopter:
    (1) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters with 
main servo-control, part number (P/N) SC7202, SC7202- (all dash 
numbers), SC7203, SC7203- (all dash numbers), SC7221, or SC7221- 
(all dash numbers), installed; and
    (2) Model SA330J helicopters with main servo-control P/N SC7111, 
SC7111- (all dash numbers) SC7112, or SC7112- (all dash numbers), 
installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as missing crimping on a 
ball joint of a main servo-control end-fitting. This condition could 
result in failure of a main servo-control upper end fitting, failure 
of the flight controls, and loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective March 26, 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) Within 85 hours time-in-service (TIS):
    (i) Using a light source, inspect the ball joint of the upper 
end-fitting of the main servo control for crimping in accordance 
with Detail A and Detail B, Figure 1, of Eurocopter EASB 67.00.45 or 
EASB 67.19, as applicable to your model helicopter.
    (A) If the upper ball joint is not crimped and the ball joint 
slips a distance of 1 millimeter (mm) or greater, replace the servo-
control with an airworthy servo-control.
    (B) If the upper ball joint is not crimped and the ball joint 
slips a distance of less than 1mm, either crimp the ball joint or 
replace the servo-control with an airworthy servo-control.
    (ii) Using a light source, inspect the ball joint of the lower 
end-fitting of the main servo-control for crimping in accordance 
with Detail A and Detail B, Figure 1, of Eurocopter EASB 67.00.45 or 
EASB 67.19, as applicable to your model helicopter. If the lower 
ball joint is not crimped, crimp the ball joint.
    (2) Prior to installing any servo-control that is affected by 
this AD, perform the required actions in accordance with paragraphs 
(e)(1) of 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: Matt Wilbanks, 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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2012-0248, dated November 20, 2012. You may 
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2013-0737.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6730, Rotor Flight 
Control--Rotorcraft Servo System.

(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 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 67.00.45, 
Revision 1, dated December 5, 2012.
    (ii) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 67.19, 
Revision 1, dated December 5, 2012.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i)(2):  Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin (EASB) Nos. 67.00.45 and 67.19, both Revision 1, and both 
dated December 5, 2012, are co-published as one document along with 
Eurocopter EASB No. 67.00.31, Revision 1, dated December 5, 2012, 
which is not incorporated by reference.

    (3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax 
(972) 641-3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.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 24, 2014.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-02972 Filed 2-18-14; 8:45 am]
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