### 5994 Federal Register 

### I Vol. 77, 

### No

. 25 

### I Tuesday, February 7, 

### 2012 

### I Rules and Regulations

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas , on De cember 28 , 2011

. M. Monica Merritt, ActingManager , Rotorcraft Dir ectorate, Aircraft Certification Servic e. [FR Doc. 2012-1118 File d 2-6-12 ; 8 :45am) BILLING CODE 491G-13-P

DEPARTMENT OF T RANSPORTATION Federal Av iat i o n Adm in ist rati on 14 CFR Pa rt 39 [D ocke t No

. FAA-2 012-Q086 ; D irecto rat e Identifier 2011-SW-Q45-AD ; Amendmen t 39- 1 693 6; AD 2012-Q2-13) R I N 2120-AA64 Airworthiness D i rectives ; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACT I ON : Final rule; reques t or comments. SUMMARY : We are adoptin a w airworthiness directive (AI ) fo Eurocopter France EC130B el that have not had Euroco r Modification 073880 inc p a AD is prompted by severa reg rts o cracks in the tailboom/Fen ron junction frame, which could result in structural failure of the tail boom, resulting in detachment of the Fenestron (tail rotor) and subsequent loss of control ofthe helicopter. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these helicopters. DATES: Th is AD b ecomes effective February 22, 2012

.

The Director of the Federal Register approve d the incorporation by reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of February 22, 2012.

We must receive comments on this AD by April 9, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the fo ll owing methods:



### • Federal eRu lemaking Docket: Go to 

### http://www.regulations.gov

. Follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.

• Fax : 202-493-2251. 

### • 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.



### • 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 Intern et 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 economic evaluation , any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 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, te lephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232

- 0323, fax (972) 641

- 3775, or at 

### http:// www.eurocop ter. com/tech u . o review copies of there re c d s i information a f · e f th Regio o sel , 

### S s 

### R g1 each 

## m'f, 63, 

### T as 6ift

. R I FOR ATI

This AD is a final rule that invo lves 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 re lating to the economic, environmental , energy, or federalism impacts that resulted from adopting this AD

. The most he lpful 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

The European Aviation Safet y Agency (EASA) , which is the Technical Agent for the Memb er State s of the European Union , h as is sued EASA AD No

. 2011- 0116, dated July 6 , 2011 (AD 2011- 0116) to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter EC 130 B4 helicopters

. EASA advises of several reports of cracks in the tailboom/Fenestron junction frame

. Prompted by these reports , Eurocopter published Information Notice No

. 2167-I-53 (2167

- I

- 53)

. Since publication of 2167- I-53, new cases of cracks in the tailboom/Fenestron junction frame have been reported

. Examination of the parts revealed the cracks were longer than the previously reported crac ks and started to develo · he plane of the rivet head cou nk on the right hand (RH) side
o the F io and spread to the web o t a . is condition, if not r,,,.....,,,..t ,., rt, o l lead to structural

· ure, c c uld result in Fenestron ta n consequent loss of ol o licopter. AD 2011-0116 fdrnl.i<.-f>d epet' ive inspections of the

ecte and depending on

· gs, accomplishing corrective actions. FAA' s Determin ation

These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bi lateral agreement with France, EASA , their 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 is like ly to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs. Relate d Service Information

We reviewed Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bull etin 53A019 , dated June 14, 2011 (EASB). The EASB describes procedures for inspecting the RH side of the tailboom/Fenestron junction frame from the inside and outside for cracks

. If a crack is present, the EASB requires contacting Eurocopter for approved repair instructions

. AD Requir em ents

This AD requires compliance with specified portions of the manufacturer ' s service bulletin , except as dis cussed under " Differences Between this AD and the EASA AD ." Differences Between This AD and the EASAAD

The EASA AD allow s for flight s f or a certain period of time with known cracks

. Except for limited ferry fli ght s, this AD does not permit op erati ons w ith known cracks. The EAS A AD all ow s f or an initial insp ection whi ch d oes n otFederal Register 

### I Vol. 77, No. 25 

### I Tuesday, February 7, 2012 

### I Rules and Regulations 

### 5995
require stripping the paint, and then stripping the paint prior to inspection within 110 flight hours. This AD mandates stripping the paint as part of the initial inspection. Costs ofCompliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 109 helicopters of U.S. Registry.

We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. To inspect the tailbooml Fenestron junction frame for a crack will require 1 work-hour at an average labor cost of $85 per hour, for a total cost per inspection cycle of $85 per helicopter and $9,265 for the entire fleet. To replace a tailboom with an airworthy tailboom will require 50 work-hours and a parts cost of $60,000, for a total cost per helicopter of $64,2 FAA's Ju stification and De of the Effe c tive D at e

These helicopters are u e by air tour and helicopte Em medical services

. Helicop ers u these industries average in ce hours TIS per month

. Th a primary structure of th h 1c p r that may prevent further e ight. Therefore, we find that the nsk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to the adoption of this rule because the required corrective actions must be accomplished within 10 hours TIS, a very short time period based on the average flight-hour utilization rate of these helicopters. 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 T h is Rul emaking

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 d etail the scope of the Agency's authority.

We are issuing this rul ema king 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, m e thods, 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

a 1 · 1 cant a t , ositive or negative, n a s bs 1al number of small entities nder e criteria of the Regulatory lexibility Act. We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. List of S ub jects in 14 CFR P art 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference , Safety. Adoption ofthe Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows : PART 39-AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

• 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows :

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g) , 40113,44701

. §39

. 13 [ Amended]

• 2

. The FAA amends§ 39.13 by adding the following new AD: 2012-02-13 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39

- 16936; Docket No. FAA

- 2012

- 0086; Dir ectorate Identifier 2011-SW-{)45-AD. (a) Applicability. This AD applies to Model EC130B4 helicopters that do not have Eurocopter Modification (MOD) 073880 incorporated, all serial numbers, cer tifica ted in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition. This AD defines the unsafe condition as cracks on the tailboom/ Fenestron junction frame

. This condition could result in structural failure of the tailboom, detachment of the Fenestron, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date. This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 22, 2012

.

(d) Compliance. You are responsible for performing each action required by thi s AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished previously.

(e) Corrective Actions. (1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS): (i) Inspect the right hand side of the tailboom/Fenestron junction frame for cracks in the web from the inside as depicted in Details C and of Figure 2 of Eurocopter e Service Bulletin 53A019, d J u 14, 2 11 (EASB). (ii) S

**a** nt on the areas of the right h side of th t ilboom/Fenestron junction

**fiJilllJ;:~ p**  d i Detail E of Figure 3 of the SB. l c at of primer to the stripped a. y · h to the stripped area. (i ' ) I ns e stripped area of the frame e outside. at intervals not to exceed 50 h urs , mspect the frame by following the i ection requirements of paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(iii) of this AD.

(3) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the tailboom with an airworthy tailboom that incorporates Eurocopter MOD 073880

.

(4) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a tailboom that does not incorporate Eurocopter MOD 073880 on any helicopter

.

(f) Specialflight permits. Special flight permits may be issued for up to 2 hours TIS to ferry the helicopter to a repair facility if the crack does not extend into the web ofthe tailboom/Fenestron junction frame.

(g) Alternative Methods ofCompliance (AMOCs)

.

(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to : Jim Grigg , Manager, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137, telephone (817) 222- 5126 , email: jim .g rigg@faa

.gov. (2) For operations conducted under a Part 119 operating certificate or under Part 91 , Subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards dist rict office or certificate holding district office , before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(h) Subject. Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code : 5302: Rotorcraft Tail Boom

.

(i) Additional Information. The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (France) AD No

. 2011

- 0116 , dated July 6, 2011.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

. You must us e the specified portions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 53A019 , dated June 14, 2011, to do the specified actions required by this AD.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S. C. 552(a ) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, telephone (972) 641-0000

### 5996 Federal Register 

### I Vol. 77, 

### No. 25 

### I Tuesday, February 7, 

### 2012 

### I Rules and Regulations

or (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3775, or at http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub.

(3) You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region , 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth Texas 76137 or 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/code_ofJederal _regulations/ ibr locations

.html

.

Issued in Fort Worth , Texas, on January 23, 2012. Kim Smith, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc

. 2012-2418 Filed 2-6-12; 8:45am] BI L LIN G CODE

**91~1 3-**  **P**
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No

. FAA-2011-117

**;IDII~·orb** Identifier 2011

- NM -1 01-A ; 39-1 6932; AD 2012-02-09] RIN 2 1 20-AA64 A i rworth i ness Di rective Company Airplanes
A GENCY : Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTI O N: Final rule

. SU MMA RY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, and -300 series airplanes

. This AD was prompted by a report from the airplane manufacturer that airplanes were assembled with air distribution ducts in the environmental control system (ECS) wrapped with Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 or Aeronautical Materials Specifications (AMS) 3570 polyurethane foam insulation , a material with fire-retardant

Action
Duct asse mbly rework/part marking



### .. .. . . . .

# . .... . . . . . .
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 properties that deteriorate with age. This AD requires reworking certain air distribution ducts in the ECS

. We are issuing this AD to prevent ignition of the BMS 8-39 or AMS 3570 polyurethane foam insulation on the duct assemblies of the ECS due to a potential electrical arc, which could start a small fire and lead to a larger fire that may spread throughout the airplane through the ECS. DAT E S: This AD is effective March 13, 2012.

The Director ofthe Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 13,2012.

Examin ing the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at 

### http :// www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m
. and 5 p.m
. , Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation , any comments received, and other information

. The address for the Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is Document Management Facility, U

. S. Department of Transportation , Docket Opera tions, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. ESTIMATED COSTS

Labor cost
250 work

- hours x $85 per hour 

## =$21 ,250

........

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 FOR FU RTHER IN F ORM AT ION CONTACT: Kimberly A

. DeVoe, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM150S , FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW ., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: (425) 917-6495; fax: (425) 917-6590; email: 

### Kimberly.Devoe@jaa .gov. S U P P LEME NTARY I NFO RM ATION: Discussion

We the pub lic the opportunity to

1cipate in developing this AD. We have considered the comments received. Boeing supports the NPRM (76 FR 68666, November 7, 2011). Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed

- except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 68666, November 7, 2011) for correcting the unsafe condition; and

• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 68666, November 7, 2011). Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affect s 292 airplanes of U

. S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Parts cost Cost per Cost on U.S

. product operators $3 ,545 $24 ,795 $7,240,140

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