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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 119 (Thursday, June 20, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37156-37158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14701]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0524; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-084-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 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 
and EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD would require visually 
inspecting each jettisonable emergency exit window panel (window) for 
sealant, and removing any sealant that exists in the window's extruded 
sections. This proposed AD is prompted by jettison tests during routine 
maintenance inspections that showed the windows failed to jettison. The 
proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of the windows to 
jettison, so helicopter occupants can exit the aircraft during an 
emergency.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 19, 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.

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 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: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601

[[Page 37157]]

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
robert.grant@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. 2012-0152, dated August 13, 2012, to correct an unsafe condition 
for certain Eurocopter Model AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, 
AS 332 L2 and EC 225 LP helicopters. EASA reports that during required 
maintenance checks, there have been problems jettisoning emergency exit 
windows. According to EASA, investigations on several windows showed 
sealant between the extrusion and the window. ``This condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could prevent the jettisoning of a window, 
possibly affecting the evacuation of passengers in the event of an 
emergency situation,'' EASA states.

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 issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-56.00.04 
for Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters and 
ASB No. EC225-56A002 for the EC225LP helicopter, both dated August 8, 
2012. Eurocopter advises of difficulties jettisoning the window panel 
when performing a jettison test due to sealant installed between the 
extrusion and the window. According to Eurocopter, jettison tests are 
to be performed every two years. The ASBs provide instructions to 
inspect each jettisonable window panel to determine whether there is 
sealant between the extrusion and the window.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 110 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), visually inspecting each window for sealant between the 
extrusion and the window. If there is sealant, the AD would require 
removing the sealant.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to Model AS 332 C1 helicopters, and this 
proposed AD does not because that model is not FAA type-certificated. 
The EASA AD requires the inspection of each window within 110 hours TIS 
or six months, while this proposed AD requires the inspection within 
110 hours TIS.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 19 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor rates average $85 a work-hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Visually inspecting the windows for sealant would require 
1 work-hour for a labor cost of $85 per helicopter, and $1,615 for the 
U.S. fleet.
     If needed, removing the sealant from the windows would 
require 2 work-hours for a labor cost of $170 per window.

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):

[[Page 37158]]

Eurocopter France Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2013-0524; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-SW-084-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, 
AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in 
any category, that have never undergone a window-jettison test.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as the presence of sealant 
on an emergency exit window panel. This condition could result in 
the window failing to jettison, preventing the helicopter occupants 
from exiting the aircraft during an emergency.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 19, 2013.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished 
previously.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS), visually inspect each 
jettisonable emergency exit window panel (window) by doing the 
following:
    (1) Lift the extrusion slightly using a flat tool that does not 
cause scoring.
    (2) Inspect for sealant on the inside and outside of the window 
between the window and the extrusion and between the extrusion and 
the structure.

    Note 1 to paragraph (e)(1)(2):  The presence of a sealant bead 
on the extrusion parting lines, on the window pull-out seal parting 
lines, and on the pull-out straps is expected, as shown in Figure 1 
of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332-56.00.04 or ASB No. 
EC225-56A002, both dated August 8, 2012 (ASB), as appropriate for 
your model helicopter.

    (3) If there is no sealant as shown in Photo 1 of Figure 2 of 
the ASB, no further action is required.
    (4) If there is sealant between the structure and the profile as 
shown in Photo 2 of Figure 2 of the ASB or if you cannot determine 
whether there is sealant, remove the extrusion.
    (5) Remove all sealant from the extrusion, the window, and the 
structure.
    (6) If there is any crazing, cracking or other damage on the 
extrusion, replace with an airworthy extrusion.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
robert.grant@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

    (1) Eurocopter ASB No. AS332-56.00.04 and ASB No. EC225-56A002, 
both dated August 8, 2012, contain additional information about the 
subject of this AD. 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.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD No. 2012-0152, dated August 13, 2012.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5220, Emergency 
Exits.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 13, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-14701 Filed 6-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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