79988 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–1228; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–SW–12–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

France Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, 

and EC130 B4 Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

specified Eurocopter France (ECF) 

helicopters. This proposed AD results 

from a mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) AD 

issued by the European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Community. The superseding 

MCAI AD states that several engine 

flameouts have involved failure of the 

41-tooth pinion in the engine accessory 

gearbox. Each affected helicopter had a 

starter-generator manufactured by one 

company. Investigation revealed the 

torque damping system of the startergenerator was inoperative due to 

incorrect adjustment and caused 

bending stresses on the 41-tooth pinion. 

Failure of the pinion causes the engine 

fuel pump to stop operating and results 

in an engine flameout. The EASA AD 

requires a new adjustment procedure to 

optimize the performance of the 

specified starter-generator damping 

assembly. These proposed AD actions 

are intended to prevent failure of a 

pinion and a fuel pump, engine 

flameout, and subsequent loss of control 

of the helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by January 20, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

You may get the service information 

identified in this proposed AD from 

American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 

Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75053– 

4005, telephone (972) 641–3460, fax 

(972) 641–3527, or at http:// 

www.eurocopter.com. 

Examining the 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 stated in the 

ADDRESSES section of this proposal. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Ed 

Cuevas, ASW–112, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety 

Management Group, 2601 Meacham 

Blvd. Fort Worth, Texas 76137, 

telephone (817) 222–5355, fax (817) 

222–5961. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

data, views, or arguments about this 

proposed AD. Send your comments to 

an address listed in the ADDRESSES

section of this proposal. Include ‘‘Docket 

No. FAA–2010–1228; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–SW–12–AD’’ at the 

beginning of your comments. We 

specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

this proposed AD. We will consider all 

comments received by the closing date 

and may amend this proposed AD based 

on those comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

The EASA, which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Community, has issued EASA 

AD No. 2009–0027, dated February 18, 

2009, which supersedes and cancels 

EASA AD No. 2009–0004, dated January 

12, 2009, to correct an unsafe condition 

for the specified ECF model helicopters. 

Pending additional investigations, 

EASA AD No. 2009–0004, dated January 

12, 2009, required an inspection of the 

alignment and torque of the Aircraft 

Parts Corporation (APC) (currently 

UNISON) starter-generator damping 

assembly and, in case of discrepancies, 

conducting corrective actions. The 

MCAI AD states that failure of the 41- 

tooth pinion in the engine accessory 

gearbox resulted in engine flameouts. 

Each affected helicopter was equipped 

with starter-generators manufactured by 

APC. The additional investigations 

revealed the torque damping system of 

the starter-generator was inoperative 

due to incorrect adjustment. EASA AD 

No. 2009–0004 required a check of the 

tightness of the starter-generator 

damping system and angle 

measurements. 

After further investigation, EASA 

issued AD 2009–0027, dated February 

18, 2009, to require disassembling the 

damping system, replacing the cup 

springs and self-locking nut, and 

reassembling by following a new 

procedure, which has proven to be more 

reliable and optimizes the performance 

of the APC starter-generator damping 

assembly. The proposed actions are 

intended to prevent failure of a pinion 

and a fuel pump, engine flameout, and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

You may obtain further information 

by examining the MCAI AD and any 

related service information in the AD 

docket. 

Related Service Information 

ECF has issued Alert Service Bulletin 

(ASB) No. 80.00.07, Revision 1, dated 

February 6, 2009, for the Model AS350 

B, BA, BB, B1, B2, and B3 helicopters 

(ASB 80.00.07); and ASB No. 80A003, 

Revision 1, dated February 6, 2009, for 

the Model EC130 B4 helicopter 

(80A003). The Model AS350 BB 

helicopter is not type certificated in the 

United States. ECF has received reports 

of ARRIEL engine flameouts due to 

failure of the 41-tooth pinion in the 

engine accessory gearbox. The failure of 

this pinion causes the fuel pump to stop 

and results in engine flameout. The 

affected helicopters had an APC startergenerator installed. Investigation 

revealed the torque damping system of 

the starter-generator to be inoperative 

due to incorrect adjustment. These 

ASBs specify disassembly of the 

damping system, replacing the 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 79989 

Belleville springs (cup springs) and the 

self-locking nut, and aligning the shaft 

damping system of the APC startergenerator. The actions described in the 

MCAI AD are intended to correct the 

unsafe condition identified in the 

service information. 

FAA’s Evaluation and Unsafe Condition 

Determination 

These products 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, their 

Technical Agent, has notified us of the 

unsafe condition described in the MCAI 

AD. We are proposing 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 products of these same 

type designs. This proposed AD would 

require, within 110 hours time-inservice or 3 months, whichever occurs 

first: 

• Modifying and marking the APC 

starter generator; and 

• Before installing an APC startergenerator with a part number (P/N) of 

150SG122Q or 200SGL130Q, complying 

with the requirements of this proposed 

AD. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the MCAI AD 

The MCAI AD refers to flight hours 

instead of hours time-in-service. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect about 847 helicopters. We 

also estimate that it would take about 3 

work-hours per helicopter to modify the 

starter-generator. The average labor rate 

is $85 per work-hour. ECF states in its 

ASBs that one nut (P/N 150SG1071, 

$36.12) and two springs (P/N 

150SG1093, $29.14 each) are required 

for the P/N 150SG122Q starter-generator 

and one nut (P/N 150SG1071, $36.12) 

and two springs (P/N 200SGL1093, 

$33.64 each) are required for the P/N 

200SGL130Q starter-generator. Based on 

these figures, we estimate the cost of the 

proposed AD on U.S. operators would 

be $299,749 ($215,985 for labor and 

$83,764 for parts), assuming that both 

starter-generators are evenly distributed 

in the fleet and that the entire fleet is 

modified. 

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 

product(s) 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. 

Therefore, I certify this proposed AD: 

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); and 

3. 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 

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: 

Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA–2010– 

1228; Directorate Identifier 2009–SW– 

12–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) We must receive your comments by 

January 20, 2011. 

Other Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to Model AS350B, B1, 

B2, B3, BA, and EC130 B4 helicopters with 

ARRIEL engines with Aircraft Parts 

Corporation (APC) starter-generators, part 

number (P/N) 150SG122Q or P/N 

200SGL130Q without ‘‘004’’ marked on the 

identification plate, installed, certificated in 

any category. 

Reason 

(d) The mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) AD states 

that several engine flameouts involved failure 

of the 41-tooth pinion in the engine accessory 

gearbox that caused the engine fuel pump to 

fail. Each affected helicopter had an APC 

Company (currently UNISON) startergenerator installed. Investigation revealed the 

torque damping system of the startergenerator was inoperative. The EASA AD 

requires a new adjustment procedure to 

optimize the performance of the specified 

starter-generator damping assembly. The 

proposed actions are intended to prevent 

failure of a pinion and a fuel pump, engine 

flameout, and subsequent loss of control of 

the helicopter. 

Actions and Compliance 

(e) Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) 

or 3 months, whichever occurs first, unless 

already accomplished, do the following: 

(1) Replace the cup springs and fan nut, 

functionally test the damping system, and 

after this modification, mark ‘‘004’’ on the 

identification plate of the APC starter 

generator, as depicted in Figures 1 and 2, and 

by following the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., of Eurocopter 

Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 80.00.07, 

Revision 1, dated February 6, 2009, for the 

Model AS350 B, BA, B1, B2, and B3 

helicopters; or ASB No. 80A003, Revision 1, 

dated February 6, 2009, for the Model EC130 

B4 helicopter. 

(2) Before installing an APC startergenerator with P/N 150SG122Q or P/N 

200SGL130Q, comply with the requirements 

of this AD. 

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI 

AD 

(f) The MCAI AD refers to flight hours 

instead of hours time-in-service. 

Other Information 

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management 

Group, ATTN: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, 

Ed Cuevas, ASW–112, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety 

Management Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd. 

Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 

222–5355, fax (817) 222–5961, has the 

authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 

requested using the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. 

(h) EASA AD No. 2009–0027, dated 

February 18, 2009, which supersedes and 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS
79990 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 21, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

cancels EASA AD No. 2009–0004, dated 

January 12, 2009, contains related 

information. 

Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) 

Code 

(i) The JASC Code is 2435: StarterGenerator. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 

6, 2010. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–31963 Filed 12–20–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–1255; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–CE–059–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; B–N Group 

Ltd. Model BN–2, BN–2A, BN–2A–2, 

BN–2A–3, BN–2A–6, BN–2A–8, BN–2A– 

9, BN–2A–20, BN–2A–21, BN–2A–26, 

BN–2A–27, BN–2B–20, BN–2B–21, BN– 

2B–26, BN–2B–27, BN–2T, and BN–2T– 

4R Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This proposed 

AD results from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

originated by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as: 

An event has been reported where Glass 

Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) elevator tips 

have been found deformed on in-service 

aircraft. The outboard three inches of the 

elevator tip assembly profiles (top and 

bottom surfaces) had changed from being 

convex profiles to concave profiles. There is 

concern that this could potentially result in, 

or be caused by, internal structural 

delamination and/or failure. Such a failure 

could have a serious effect on the aircraft 

handling and could potentially result in loss 

of control of the aircraft. 

The proposed AD would require actions 

that are intended to address the unsafe 

condition described in the MCAI. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by February 4, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact 

Airworthiness, Britten-Norman Aircraft 

Ltd., Bembridge Airport, Isle of Wight, 

PO35 5PR, United Kingdom; telephone: 

+44(0) 20 3371 4000; fax: +44(0) 20 3371 

4001; e-mail: 

jim.roberts@bnaircraft.com. You may 

review copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Small Airplane 

Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 

Missouri 64106. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, 

call 816–329–4148. 

Examining 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 proposed AD, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for the Docket Office 

(telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, 

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 

Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 

Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329– 

4138; fax: (816) 329–4090. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposed AD. Send your comments 

to an address listed under the 

ADDRESSES. section. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2010–1255; Directorate Identifier 

2010–CE–059–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed AD because of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Community, has issued AD No.: 2009– 

0105R2, dated March 9, 2010 (referred 

to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

An event has been reported where Glass 

Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) elevator tips 

have been found deformed on in-service 

aircraft. The outboard three inches of the 

elevator tip assembly profiles (top and 

bottom surfaces) had changed from being 

convex profiles to concave profiles. There is 

concern that this could potentially result in, 

or be caused by, internal structural 

delamination and/or failure. Such a failure 

could have a serious effect on the aircraft 

handling and could potentially result in loss 

of control of the aircraft. 

For the reasons stated above, the initial 

issue of this AD (AD 2009–0105) mandated 

inspection of the GFRP elevator tips and 

replacement of any deformed parts. 

Its Revision 1 (AD 2009–0105R1) extends 

the compliance time by three months. 

Its Revision 2 (AD 2009–0105R2) extends 

the compliance time by an additional three 

months. 

Relevant Service Information 

Britten-Norman Aircraft Limited has 

issued Service Bulletin Number BN–2/ 

SB 313, Issue 3, dated February 24, 

2009; Drawing NB–31–235, Issue 13; 

Drawing NB–31–873, Issue 2; and 

Drawing NB–31–0906, Issue 3. The 

actions described in this service 

information are intended to correct the 

unsafe condition identified in the 

MCAI. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of the Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with this State of 

Design Authority, they have notified us 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are proposing this 

AD because we evaluated all 

information and determined the unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS