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

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13519-13521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04695]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0872; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-012-AD; 
Amendment 39-17784; AD 2014-05-11]
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 Airbus 
Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, EC225LP, and SA330J 
helicopters with a certain tail rotor control turnbuckle (turnbuckle) 
installed. This AD requires inspecting the turnbuckles for corrosion or 
a crack, and depending on the results, either replacing the turnbuckle 
or treating the turnbuckle for corrosion. This AD was prompted by a 
report that a turnbuckle had failed because of corrosion. The actions 
of this AD are intended to detect corrosion or a crack on a turnbuckle 
and prevent the failure of a turnbuckle, loss of control of the tail 
rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective April 15, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of April 15, 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 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 October 24, 2013, at 78 FR 63429, 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 AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, EC225LP, 
and SA330J helicopters with a turnbuckle, part number (P/N) 330A27-
5031-20, installed. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the 
turnbuckles for corrosion or a crack, and depending on the results, 
either replacing the turnbuckle or treating the turnbuckle for 
corrosion. The proposed requirements were intended to detect corrosion 
or a crack on a turnbuckle and prevent the failure of a turnbuckle, 
loss of control of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2013-0081, dated March 26, 2013, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union. EASA published AD No. 2013-0081 to correct an 
unsafe condition for Eurocopter Model SA330J, AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, 
AS332L1, AS332L2, EC225LP helicopters equipped with tail rotor control 
turnbuckles, part number 330A27-5031-20. EASA advises that one of the 
two turnbuckles installed on the tail rotor's yaw flight control cables 
failed on a helicopter because of corrosion. The subsequent 
investigation revealed a lack of Mastinox sealant coating between both 
sides of the turnbuckle's internal tappings and the interface screws of 
the end-fitting components of the yaw flight control cables. To address 
this condition, EASA issued AD No. 2013-0081, which requires repetitive 
inspections of each turnbuckle and, depending on the results, either 
replacing the turnbuckle or treating the turnbuckle for corrosion. EASA 
revised its AD and issued AD No. 2013-0081R1, dated June 20, 2013, to 
clarify some of the requirements.

[[Page 13520]]

    Since we issued the NPRM, Eurocopter France changed its name to 
Airbus Helicopters. This AD reflects that change and updates the 
contact information to obtain service documentation.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 63429, October 
24, 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 the same type 
designs and that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD requirements as proposed except for the minor change previously 
described. This change is consistent with the intent of the proposals 
in the NPRM (78 FR 63429, October 24, 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 applies to Eurocopter Model AS332C1 helicopters. This 
AD does not because Model AS332C1 helicopters are not type certificated 
in the United States.

Related Service Information

    On March 14, 2013, Eurocopter issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. EC225-05A031 for Model No. EC225LP helicopters; ASB No. AS332-
05.00.95 for Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1 and AS332L2 and for 
military Model AS332B, AS332B1, AS332F1, AS332M and AS332M1 
helicopters; and ASB No. SA330-05.98 for Model SA330J and military 
Model SA330Ba, SA330Ca, SA330Ea, SA330H, SA330L, SA330Jm, SA330S1 and 
SA330Sm helicopters. Eurocopter reports that a tail rotor control 
turnbuckle ruptured because of corrosion. The damage was discovered 
during a flight-control check after the main gearbox was replaced. An 
investigation revealed that Mastinox sealant was missing between the 
turnbuckle tappings and end-fittings and led to the formation of 
galvanic corrosion. To prevent a turnbuckle from splitting, Eurocopter 
called for checking all tail rotor control turnbuckles for cracks and 
corrosion every 12 months. On June 5, 2013, Eurocopter revised all of 
the ASBs with Revision 1 to clarify a requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 46 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on these estimates, 
we expect the following costs:
    <bullet> Inspecting the tail rotor control turnbuckles for 
corrosion or a crack requires 4 work-hours for a labor cost of $340. 
Parts cost $148 for a total cost of $488 per helicopter, $22,448 for 
the U.S. fleet.
    <bullet> Treating the turnbuckle to prevent corrosion require 1 
work-hour for a labor cost of $85. The cost of parts is minimal for a 
total cost of $85 per helicopter.
    <bullet> Replacing the turnbuckle requires no additional labor 
costs because it can be done as part of the inspection. Parts cost $173 
for a total cost of $173 per helicopter.

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):

2014-05-11 Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Eurocopter France): Amendment 39-17784; Docket No. FAA-2013-0872; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-012-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 
EC225LP, and SA330J helicopters with a tail rotor control turnbuckle 
(turnbuckle), part number (P/N) 330A27-5031-20, installed, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a turnbuckle. 
This condition could result in loss of the tail rotor control and 
subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 15, 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) For helicopters delivered before March 1, 2013, within 110 
hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever occurs first, and 
for helicopters delivered on or after March 1, 2013, within 12 
months, and thereafter for all helicopters at intervals not

[[Page 13521]]

to exceed 12 months, using a light source visually inspect the 
tappings, middle hole, and external surface of each turnbuckle for 
corrosion or a crack. Indications of corrosion include dirt, a 
bulge, faded paint, a powdery deposit, or a pit that is white or red 
in color.
    (i) If there is corrosion or a crack on the tappings or middle 
hole of the internal surface of a turnbuckle, replace the turnbuckle 
before further flight.
    (ii) If there is a crack on the external surface of a 
turnbuckle, replace the turnbuckle before further flight.
    (iii) If there is corrosion on the external surface of the 
turnbuckle, remove the corrosion, recondition the surface, and 
measure the corrosion depth in accordance with paragraph 3.B.2.b.2 
of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. EC225-05A031, ASB No. 
AS332-05.00.95, or ASB No. SA330-05.98, all Revision 1, and all 
dated June 5, 2013, as applicable to your model helicopter, except 
that you are not required to interpret the results per ASB paragraph 
1.E.2.
    (A) If the measured corrosion depth is greater than 0.3 mm, 
replace the turnbuckle before further flight.
    (B) If the measured corrosion depth is 0.3 mm or less, do the 
following:
    (1) Before further flight, treat the turnbuckle for corrosion in 
accordance with paragraph 3.B.2.c of ASB No. EC225-05A031, ASB No. 
AS332-05.00.95, or ASB No. SA330-05.98, all Revision 1, and all 
dated June 5, 2013, as applicable to your model helicopter.
    (2) Within 6 months from when the turnbuckle is treated for 
corrosion, replace the turnbuckle.
    (2) After installation of a turnbuckle, P/N 330A27-5031-20, with 
greater than 0 hours TIS, before next flight accomplish the actions 
of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0081, dated March 26, 2013 and EASA 
AD No. 2013-0081R1, dated June 20, 2013. You may view the EASA ADs 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA 
2013-0872.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700, Rotorcraft 
Flight Control.

(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 Alert Service Bulletin No. EC225-05A031, Revision 
1, dated June 5, 2013.
    (ii) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-05.00.95, 
Revision 1, dated June 5, 2013.
    (iii) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. SA330-05.98, 
Revision 1, dated June 5, 2013.
    (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 February 20, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04695 Filed 3-10-14; 8:45 am]
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