Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Formerly Eurocopter France)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7288-7290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01803]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0133; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-066-AD; 
Amendment 39-18088; AD 2014-22-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Formerly Eurocopter 
France)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter France) Model EC130T2 
helicopters, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and 
operators of these helicopters. This AD requires repetitively 
inspecting the attachment points where the fan attaches to the main 
gearbox (MGB) oil cooler hopper (hopper) and replacing any cracked 
hopper with an airworthy hopper. This AD is prompted by several cases 
of a cracked hopper. The cracks were found on the hopper at the fan 
attachment points. These actions are intended to detect a crack in the 
hopper at a fan attachment point to prevent failure of the fan 
attachment, interference of the fan with the control rod of the front 
servo-control or with the flight control bellcrank, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 25, 2015 to all persons 
except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by 
Emergency AD (EAD) 2014-22-51, issued on October 29, 2014, which 
contained the requirements of this AD.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of February 25, 
2015.
    We must receive comments on this AD by April 13, 2015.

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 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0133.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Haight, 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

    On October 29, 2014, we issued EAD 2014-22-51, which requires, 
before further flight and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 
hours time-in-service (TIS), visually inspecting the hopper for a crack 
at the four attachment points. If there is a crack, EAD 2014-22-51 
requires replacing the hopper with an airworthy hopper, which is not 
terminating action for the repetitive visual inspections. EAD 2014-22-
51 was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
helicopters and resulted from several cases of a cracked MGB oil cooler 
hopper.
    EAD 2014-22-51 was prompted by EAD No. 2014-0229-E, dated October 
20, 2014, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for the 
Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters. EASA advises of several 
cases of cracked MGB oil cooler fan attachments to the hopper. EASA EAD 
No. 2014-0229-E requires repetitive visual inspections of the MGB oil 
cooler fan attachment to the hopper and, depending on findings, 
replacement of cracked parts.

FAA's Determination

    This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of 
France and is

[[Page 7289]]

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 EAD. 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 design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
05A020 Revision 0, dated October 20, 2014 (EASB), specifying periodic 
visual checks for cracks in the engine MGB oil fan hopper. The EASB 
states that a crack could lead to the total failure of the fan 
attachment and that this condition, if not detected and corrected, 
could lead to interference of the fan with the control rod of the front 
servo-control or with the flight control bellcrank, possibly resulting 
in reduced control of the helicopter. Also, the EASB states that 
pending modification, the periodic visual check of the hopper is 
necessary. This service information is reasonably available; see 
ADDRESSES for ways to access this service information.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, before further flight and thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 10 hours TIS, visually inspecting the hopper for a crack 
at the four fan attachment points. If there is a crack in the hopper, 
this AD requires replacing the hopper with an airworthy hopper. 
Replacing the hopper does not constitute terminating action for the 
repetitive visual inspections required by this AD.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    We do not use the compliance time option of every 7 days.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. The design approval 
holder is currently developing a modification that will address the 
unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is 
developed, approved, and available, we might consider additional 
rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 60 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 hour. We 
estimate 0.2 work hour to inspect the hopper at an estimated $17 per 
helicopter and a total cost of $1,020 for the fleet. If a hopper is 
replaced, we estimate 6 hours to replace it and $1,000 for required 
parts for a total of $1,510.

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. Therefore, we found and 
continue to find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving 
notice and comment prior to the adoption of this rule because the 
previously described unsafe condition can adversely affect the 
controllability of the helicopter and the required corrective actions 
must be accomplished before further flight and in 10-hour intervals.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment before issuing this AD 
were impracticable and contrary to the public interest and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by EAD 2014-22-51, issued 
on October 9, 2014, to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
helicopters. These conditions still exist and the AD is hereby 
published in the Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to 
all persons.

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.

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):

    2014-22-51 Airbus Helicopters (Formerly Eurocopter France): 
Amendment 39-18088; Docket No. FAA-2015-0133; Directorate Identifier 
2014-SW-066-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in 
any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in the main 
gearbox oil cooler fan hopper. This condition could result in 
failure of the fan attachment, interference of the fan with the 
control rod of the front servo-control or with the flight control 
bellcrank, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 25, 2015 to all persons 
except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by 
Emergency AD 2014-22-51, issued on October 29, 2014, which contains 
the requirements of this AD.

[[Page 7290]]

(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

    Before further flight and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
10 hours time-in-service, using a light and a mirror, visually 
inspect the hopper for a crack at the four fan attachment points. 
The hopper is depicted as item ``a'' and the fan as item ``b'' in 
Figure 1 of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
05A020, Revision 0, dated October 20, 2014 (EASB). If there is a 
crack in the hopper, replace the hopper with an airworthy hopper. 
Examples of a crack are shown in Figure 2 of the EASB. Replacing the 
hopper does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive 
visual inspections required by this AD.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits may be issued provided that the fan is 
removed.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this EAD. Send your proposal to: Eric Haight, 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 EAD through an AMOC.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) Emergency AD No. 2014-0229-E, dated October 20, 2014. 
You may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2015-0133.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Tracking Code: 6322 Main 
Rotor Drive Rotorcraft Cooling Fan System.

(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) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
05A020, Revision 0, dated October 20, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Airbus Helicopters 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 16, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-01803 Filed 2-9-15; 8:45 am]
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