54796 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 173 / Thursday, September 6, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

to the attention of the person identified in the 

Related Information section of this AD. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(i) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Serj Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140L, FAA, Los 

Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 

Lakewood, California 90712–4137; phone: 

562–627–5254; fax: 562–627–5210; email: 

serj.harutunian@faa.gov. 

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 

6, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–21838 Filed 9–5–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0222; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–SW–007–AD; Amendment 

39–17166; AD 2012–17–03] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

France Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Eurocopter France Model AS350 

helicopters. This AD requires installing 

protection sleeves over certain forward 

(pitch) servo-control hydraulic hoses. 

This AD was prompted by an in-flight 

fire caused by the ignition of hydraulic 

fluid leaking from a damaged forward 

servo-control hydraulic hose. This AD’s 

actions are intended to prevent the 

forward servo-control hydraulic hoses 

from becoming damaged and leaking 

hydraulic fluid that could ignite in 

flight, which could result in loss of 

main rotor (M/R) control, power loss, 

structural damage, propagation of fire, 

and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: This AD is effective October 11, 

2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain documents listed in this AD 

as of October 11, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this 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. 

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, 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: Matt 

Wilbanks, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 

Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and 

Policy Group, 2601 Meacham 

Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 

telephone (817) 222–5051; email 

matt.wilbanks@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On March 9, 2012, at 77 FR 14310, the 

Federal Register published our notice of 

proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which 

proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 

include an AD that would apply to 

Eurocopter AS350 B, BA, D, B1, B2, and 

B3 helicopters with a single hydraulic 

power system and forward (pitch) servocontrol hydraulic hoses part number (P/ 

N) 704A34–412–033 (other reference 

manufacturer’s part number (MP/N) 

675–102–05–01) or P/N 704A34–412– 

035 (other reference MP/N 675–102–06– 

01) installed. That NPRM proposed to 

require installing protection sleeves 

over certain forward servo-control 

hydraulic hoses. The proposed 

requirements were intended to prevent 

the forward servo-control hydraulic 

hoses from becoming damaged and 

leaking hydraulic fluid that could ignite 

in flight. Such an ignition could result 

in loss of M/R control, power loss, 

propagation of fire, structural damage, 

and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

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– 

0033, dated March 1, 2011 (AD 2011– 

0033), to correct an unsafe condition for 

the Eurocopter helicopters. EASA 

advises that an in-flight fire in the main 

gearbox compartment occurred on an 

AS350B2 helicopter. The fire was 

‘‘caused by ignition of hydraulic fluid 

leaking from a hydraulic hose, which 

had been damaged following an 

electrical fault in a circuit located in the 

compartment that is not fire protected. 

An in-flight fire in the main gearbox 

compartment during a continued flight, 

when undetected or if a landing could 

not be performed immediately, can 

result in loss of hydraulics, shutdown of 

the engine because of fire effects, and 

damage to the Main Rotor (MR) control 

system.’’ This condition, if not 

prevented, could lead to loss of M/R 

control, power loss, structural damage, 

propagation of fire into the cabin or 

other compartments, and subsequent 

loss of control of the helicopter. For 

these reasons, AD 2011–0033 requires 

installation of protection sleeves on the 

affected hydraulic hoses. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD, but 

we did not receive any comments on the 

NPRM. 

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. 

Related Service Information 

Eurocopter has issued Alert Service 

Bulletin No. 29.00.13, dated July 26, 

2010, which specifies installing two 

siliconed glass wool sleeves over both 

forward main rotor servo-control 

hydraulic hoses. EASA classified this 

ASB as mandatory and issued AD 2011– 

0033 to ensure the continued 

airworthiness of these helicopters. 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 173 / Thursday, September 6, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 54797 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

695 helicopters of U.S. Registry and that 

operators will incur the following costs 

to comply with this AD: 

Disconnecting the servo control hoses, 

installing the protective sleeves, 

reconnecting the hoses, and testing for 

interference requires one work hour at 

an average labor rate of $85 per hour. 

Required parts cost $212, for a total cost 

of $297 for each helicopter. Based upon 

these costs, we estimate a total cost to 

the U.S. operator fleet of $206,415. 

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 

■ 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 airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

2012–17–03 Eurocopter France Helicopters: 

Amendment 39–17166; Docket No. 

FAA–2012–0222; Directorate Identifier 

2011–SW–007–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Eurocopter France 

Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350D, 

AS350B1, AS350B2, and AS350B3 

helicopters, certificated in any category, with 

a single hydraulic power system and either 

of the following forward (pitch) servo-control 

hydraulic hoses installed: part number (P/N) 

704A34–412–033 (other reference 

manufacturer’s part number (MP/N) 675– 

102–05–01), or P/N 704A34–412–035 (other 

reference MP/N 675–102–06–01). Helicopters 

that have been modified in accordance with 

modification 074238 are excluded. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

unprotected forward (pitch) servo-control 

hydraulic hoses, which could become 

damaged and leak hydraulic fluid that could 

ignite in flight. This condition could result in 

loss of main rotor control, power loss, 

structural damage, propagation of fire into 

the cabin or other compartments, and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 

(c) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective October 11, 

2012. 

(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) Within 30 days, install sleeve P/N 

706A34–402–225 over hydraulic hose P/N 

704A34–412–033 and sleeve P/N 706A34– 

402–224 over hydraulic hose P/N 704A34– 

412–035 in accordance with 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

2.B.2, of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 

No. 29.00.13, dated July 26, 2010. 

(2) Do not install an affected hydraulic 

hose on any helicopter without a sleeve in 

accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Wilbanks, 

Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 

2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 

76137, telephone (817) 222–5051, email 

matt.wilbanks@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 EASA 

AD No. 2011–0033, dated March 1, 2011. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 2900: Hydraulic Power System. 

(i) 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. 

29.00.13, dated July 26, 2010. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) For Eurocopter service information 

identified in this 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. 

(4) You may review a copy of the 

referenced service information at the 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/ 

code_of_federal_regulations/ 

ibr_locations.html. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 16, 

2012. 

Kim Smith, 

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–21261 Filed 9–5–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


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