16200 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 28, Fuel. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by fuel system 

reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We 

are issuing this AD to reduce the potential of 

ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in 

combination with flammable fuel vapors, 

could result in fuel tank explosions and 

consequent loss of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Retained Inspection and Corrective 

Action 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (g) of AD 2009–26–16, 

Amendment 39–16155 (74 FR 69249, 

December 31, 2009), with revised service 

information. For airplanes identified in 

Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 1, dated June 18, 2009: Within 60 

months after February 4, 2010 (the effective 

date of AD 2009–26–16), do the actions 

specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) 

of this AD, and do all applicable corrective 

actions, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 

Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, Revision 1, 

dated June 18, 2009; or Boeing Service 

Bulletin MD11–28–126, Revision 4, dated 

November 29, 2011; except as required by 

paragraph (j) of this AD. After the effective 

date of this AD, only Boeing Service Bulletin 

MD11–28–126, Revision 4, dated November 

29, 2011, may be used. Do all applicable 

corrective actions before further flight. 

(1) Do a general visual inspection of the 

wire bundles between Stations 1238.950 and 

1361.000 to determine if wires touch the 

upper surface of the center upper auxiliary 

fuel tank, and mark the location, as 

applicable. 

(2) Do a detailed inspection for splices and 

damage of all wire bundles above the center 

upper auxiliary fuel tank between Stations 

1218.950 and 1381.000. 

(3) Do a detailed inspection for damage 

(burn marks) of the upper surface of the 

center upper auxiliary fuel tank. 

(4) Do a detailed inspection for damage 

(burn marks) on the fuel vapor barrier seal. 

(5) Install a nonmetallic barrier/shield 

sleeving, new clamps, new attaching 

hardware, and a new extruded channel. 

(h) New Inspections and Corrective Action 

for Group 1, Configuration 2; Group 2, 

Configuration 2; and Group 5, Configuration 

2 Airplanes 

For airplanes in Group 1, Configuration 2; 

Group 2, Configuration 2; and Group 5, 

Configuration 2; as identified in Boeing 

Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, Revision 4, 

dated November 29, 2011: Within 60 months 

after the effective date of this AD, do a 

detailed inspection of wire bundles for 

splices and damage (chafing, arcing, and 

broken insulation) and damage (burn marks) 

on the upper surface of the center upper 

auxiliary fuel tank and fuel vapor barrier 

seal; install barrier/shield sleeving and 

clamping; and do all applicable corrective 

actions at the locations specified in 

paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(3) of this AD, 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 

MD11–28–126, Revision 4, dated November 

29, 2011, except as required by paragraph 

(k)(3) of this AD. Do all applicable corrective 

actions before further flight. 

(1) For Group 1, Configuration 2 airplanes: 

between Stations 1238.950 and 1381.000, and 

Stations 1238.950 and 1256.000, and Stations 

1238.950 and 1256.800, depending on 

passenger or freighter configuration. 

(2) For Group 2, Configuration 2 airplanes: 

between Stations 1238.950 and 1275.250, and 

Stations 1238.950 and 1275.250, passenger 

configuration only. 

(3) For Group 5, Configuration 2 airplanes: 

between Stations 1381.000 and 1238.950. 

(i) Credit for Previous Actions 

(1) This paragraph provides credit for 

actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 

if those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD, using the service 

bulletins specified in paragraphs (i)(1)(i), 

(i)(1)(ii), or (i)(1)(iii) of this AD. 

(i) Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 1, dated June 18, 2009. 

(ii) Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 2, dated November 18, 2010, which 

is not incorporated by reference in this AD. 

(iii) Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 3, dated June 3, 2011, which is not 

incorporated by reference in this AD. 

(2) This paragraph provides credit for 

actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD, 

if those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD, using Boeing 

Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, Revision 3, 

dated June 3, 2011. 

(j) Repair 

Where Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28– 

126, Revision 1, dated June 18, 2009; or 

Boeing Service Bulletin MD11–28–126, 

Revision 4, dated November 29, 2011; 

specifies to contact The Boeing Company for 

repair instructions: Before further flight, 

repair the auxiliary fuel tank in accordance 

with a method approved by the Manager, Los 

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 

FAA. For a repair method to be approved, the 

repair must meet the certification basis of the 

airplane, and the approval must specifically 

refer to this AD. 

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, 

has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 

AD, if requested using the procedures found 

in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 

39.19, send your request to your principal 

inspector or local Flight Standards District 

Office, as appropriate. If sending information 

directly to the manager of the Los Angeles 

ACO, send it 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. 

(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable 

level of safety may be used for any repair 

required by this AD if it is approved by 

Structures Authorized Representative for the 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation 

Option Authorization Organization who has 

been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles 

ACO, to make those findings. For a repair 

method to be approved, the repair must meet 

the certification basis of the airplane, and 14 

CFR 25.571, Amendment 45, and the 

approval must specifically refer to this AD. 

(4) AMOCs approved for AD 2009–26–16, 

Amendment 39–16155 (74 FR 69249, 

December 31, 2009), are approved as AMOCs 

for the corresponding requirements of this 

AD. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140L, FAA, Los 

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 

Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712– 

4137; phone: (562) 627–5262; fax: (562) 627– 

5210; email: samuel.lee@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 

Management, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC 

D800–0019, Long Beach, CA 90846–0001; 

telephone 206–544–5000, extension 2; fax 

206–766–5683; Internet https:// 

www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review 

copies of the referenced service information 

at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. 

For information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 

2013. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–05864 Filed 3–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

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). 

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 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules 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 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
16202 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

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 

■ 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): 

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 screwnut 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 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0074; Airspace 

Docket No. 13–ASO–3] 

Proposed Amendment of Class E 

Airspace; Selmer, TN 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS