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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 173 (Thursday, September 6, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54796-54797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21261]

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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.

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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) servo-control 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.

[[Page 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

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):

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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