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

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11701-11703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04314]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0770; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-057-AD; 
Amendment 39-17771; AD 2014-04-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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 Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD adds a new 
operating limitation that requires increasing the minimum density 
altitude flight limitation for helicopters without certain Eurocopter 
modifications installed. This AD is prompted by a report that flights 
below a certain density altitude create oscillations in the main rotor 
which can transfer dynamic loads to the structure, the main gearbox 
(MGB), and the main servo-control inputs, which could result in 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective April 7, 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, 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, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On September 6, 2013, at 78 FR 54792, 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 
France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC225LP helicopters, except those 
with certain modifications (MODs) installed. The NPRM proposed to 
require, within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), amending the Rotorcraft 
Flight Manual (RFM) to limit minimum flight altitude to -2,000 feet 
density altitude. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent 
oscillations in the main rotor that can transfer dynamic loads to the 
structure, the MGB, and the main servo-control inputs, which could 
result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2008-0007R3, dated May 12, 2010, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union. EASA issued AD No. 2008-0007R3 to correct an unsafe 
condition for Model EC 225 LP helicopters that are ``not equipped of 
all three modifications MOD 0726582, MOD 0726477, and MOD 0726583, or, 
if not equipped of MOD 0726592, or, if equipped with all three 
modifications MOD 0726606, MOD 0726610, MOD 0726611 and missing 
accomplishment

[[Page 11702]]

of MOD 0726632.'' EASA advises that the main rotor control linkage has 
a coupling between the MGB motion and the main servo-control inputs. 
According to EASA, in certain flight conditions with increased air 
density, this design generates ``spurious'' 14 Hertz control inputs in 
the main rotor, which, in return, transfer dynamic loads to the 
structure. These return dynamic loads give feedback to the MGB motion, 
inducing a continuous vibration phenomenon. EASA states that flight 
tests have demonstrated that below certain density altitudes, the 
occurrence of the vibration phenomenon is significantly increased or 
even diverges, which could lead to the loss of control of the 
helicopter. EASA advises that Eurocopter has continued to develop MODs 
for correcting the vibrations below certain density altitudes, and 
therefore, helicopters with certain MODs installed are exempt from the 
applicability of EASA AD No. 2008-0007R3.
    To correct this unsafe condition, EASA issued AD No. 2008-0007R3, 
which requires revising the RFM to prohibit operation below -2,000 feet 
density altitude for helicopters without certain modifications 
installed.
    Since we issued the NPRM, Eurocopter France has changed its name to 
Airbus Helicopters. This AD reflects that change and updates the 
contact information to obtain service information.

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 54792, 
September 6, 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 the name change 
from Eurocopter France to Airbus Helicopters. This change is consistent 
with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM (78 FR 54792, September 6, 
2013) and will not increase the economic burden on any operator nor 
increase the scope of the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD specifies a compliance time of 30 days, while this AD 
requires compliance within 50 hours TIS.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 04A001, 
Revision 3, dated May 6, 2010, which specifies inserting RFM revision 
``Normal Revision RN11 (10-04) or later, associated with conditional 
revision RCe (10-04) or later'' into the RFM for helicopters equipped 
with screen air intakes and inserting ``Normal Revision RN21 (10-05) or 
later, associated with conditional revision RCe (10-04) or later'' into 
the RFM for helicopters equipped with multi-purpose air intakes. Both 
RFM revisions limit the minimum altitude for flight to -2,000 feet 
density altitude.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect three helicopters of U.S. 
Registry and that the costs to comply with this AD by revising the RFM 
are negligible.

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):

2014-04-12 Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Eurocopter France): Amendment 39-17771; Docket No. FAA-2013-0770; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-057-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC225LP helicopters, certificated in 
any category, except helicopters with the following modifications 
(MOD) installed:
    (1) MOD 0726582, MOD 0726477, and MOD 0726583;
    (2) MOD 0726592; or
    (3) MOD 0726632.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as oscillations in the main 
rotor which can transfer dynamic loads to the structure, the main 
gearbox (MGB), and the main servo-control inputs, which could result 
in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 7, 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.

[[Page 11703]]

(e) Required Action

    Within 50 hours time-in-service, revise the Operating 
Limitations section of the Eurocopter EC225LP Rotorcraft Flight 
Manual (RFM) by inserting a copy of this AD into Section 2.3 of the 
RFM, or by making pen and ink changes as follows. Under paragraph 1, 
Altitude Limits, add the phrase:
    The minimum altitude is limited to -2,000 feet density altitude.

(f) 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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 04A001, 
Revision 3, dated May 4, 2010, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. 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.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2008-0007R3, dated May 12, 2010. You may 
view the EASA AD in the AD docket on the Internet at http:/
www.regulations.gov.

 (h) Subject.

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2200: Auto Flight 
System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 19, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04314 Filed 2-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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