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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 50 (Thursday, March 14, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16200-16202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05876]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0240; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-060-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350 and AS355 
helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting

[[Page 16201]]

the tail rotor control stop screws to determine if they are correctly 
aligned and adjusting the screws if they are misaligned. This proposed 
AD is prompted by the discovery of a loose nut on the tail rotor 
control stop and a misaligned tail rotor control stop screw. The 
proposed actions are intended detect a loose nut or a misaligned stop 
screw, which, if not corrected, could limit yaw authority, and 
consequently, result in a loss of helicopter control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 13, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking 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.

Examing 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 proposed AD, 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 proposed AD, contact 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; 
or at http://www.eurocopter.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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Continued Operational Safety, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
matthew.fuller@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    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 might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
No. 2011-0164, dated August 31, 2011, to correct an unsafe condition 
for Eurocopter Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2, 
AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP 
helicopters with either an autopilot or certain modifications 
installed. EASA advises that during take-off with a sling load, the 
pilot of a Model AS350B3 helicopter reached one of the yaw stops before 
its usual position. The inspection that followed revealed that a tail 
rotor control stop nut was loose and that the corresponding tail rotor 
control stop screw was ``out of adjustment.'' EASA states that this 
condition, if not detected and corrected, ``can lead to the loss of 
adjustment of the affected stop and consequently limit yaw authority, 
possibly resulting in loss of control of the helicopter.''

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 
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known 
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS350-
05.00.64 for Model AS350B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D civil helicopters 
and Model AS350L1 military helicopters, and ASB No. AS355-05.00.59 for 
Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, N, and NP civil helicopters, both Revision 0 
and both dated August 30, 2011. The ASBs specify inspecting the locking 
of the stop screws and, if warranted, adjusting the stops, marking the 
screw/nut assembly with a red line of paint, and periodically 
inspecting the paint line's alignment on the screw/nut assembly.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require inspecting the locking of the stop 
screws within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS). If the stop screw turns, 
the proposed AD would require adjusting the stops. After adjusting the 
stops or if the screw does not turn, this proposed AD would require 
marking a line of red paint on the screw-nut assembly.
    Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, this proposed 
AD would require inspecting the locking of the screws and determining 
whether the red paint line on the screw and nut is aligned. If not 
aligned, this proposed AD would require removing the paint, readjusting 
the stops, and marking a new line of paint.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD would require contacting Eurocopter if the red paint 
line on the screw/nut assembly is not aligned after an inspection. This 
proposed AD would not. The EASA AD applies to Eurocopter Model AS350BB 
helicopters. This proposed AD would not because Model AS350BB does not 
have an FAA type certificate. However, the proposed AD would apply to 
Eurocopter Model AS350C and AS350D1 helicopters because they have an 
FAA type certificate and because they have similar tail rotor stop 
screw assemblies as the other applicable helicopter models. The EASA AD 
does not apply to the Model AS350C and AS350D1 helicopters.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD to be an interim action because 
Eurocopter is

[[Page 16202]]

developing a modification that would address the unsafe condition 
identified in this AD. After this modification is developed, approved, 
and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 911 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Inspecting the locking of the stop screws would take about 
0.4 hour for a labor cost of about $34 per helicopter and $30,974 for 
the U.S. fleet. No parts would be needed.
     Adjusting the stop screws, if needed, would require about 
0.2 hour for a labor cost of $17. No parts would be needed.
     Painting the line would require 0.1 hour for a labor cost 
of about $9 per helicopter and $8,199 for the U.S. fleet. No parts 
would be needed.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2013-0240; Directorate Identifier 
2011-SW-060-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in 
any category:
    (1) Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350C, AS350D, 
AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters with an 
autopilot installed;
    (2) Model AS350B3 helicopters with an autopilot or modification 
073252 installed; and
    (3) Model AS355N and AS355NP helicopters with an autopilot or 
modification 071908 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a loose nut or 
misaligned tail rotor control stop screw (stop screw). This 
condition could result in limited yaw authority and subsequent loss 
of helicopter control.

(c) 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.

(d) Required Actions

    (1) Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the locking 
of the stop screws to determine whether the stop screws turn.
    (i) If any stop screw turns, adjust the stop screw.
    (ii) Mark a line of red paint on the screw-nut assembly as 
depicted in Section B-B, Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. AS350-05.00.64 or ASB No. AS355-05.00.59, as 
applicable to your model helicopter. Both ASBs are Revision 0 and 
dated August 30, 2011.
    (2) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, 
inspect the stop screws to determine whether the paint lines on the 
screw and the nut are aligned. If the red paint lines are not 
aligned, remove the paint, adjust the stop screw, and mark a new 
line of paint on the screw-nut assembly as depicted in Section B-B, 
Figure 1 of the ASB applicable to your helicopter model.

(e) Special Flight Permit

    A one-time flight permit may be granted, provided that the pilot 
has full yaw authority before flight.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Continued Operational Safety, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5110; 
email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.
    (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 the European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD No. 2011-0164, dated August 31, 2011.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720, tail rotor 
control system.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 6, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05876 Filed 3-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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