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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44043-44045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17628]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0635; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-081-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 EC225LP helicopters. This proposed 
AD

[[Page 44044]]

would require inspecting the swashplates for corrosion or a crack, and 
making the appropriate repairs or replacement of parts. This proposed 
AD is prompted by the discovery of corrosion on the swashplates when 
the main rotor hub (MRH) assemblies were reconditioned. The proposed 
actions are intended to detect corrosion or a crack in the swashplates, 
which could lead to failure of the swashplate and subsequent loss of 
helicopter control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 23, 
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 foreign 
authority's 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: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Regulations and Policy Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email gary.b.roach@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. 2012-0131, dated July 31, 2012, to correct an unsafe condition for 
Eurocopter Model EC225LP helicopters. EASA advises that corrosion has 
been reported on the rotating and stationary swashplates of the MRH 
assembly of several helicopters. This condition may cause cracks on the 
swashplates, which may cause failure of MRH parts and loss of control 
of the helicopter. The EASA AD requires repetitive inspections of the 
affected swashplates after two years and replacing the MRH assembly if 
a crack is found.

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

    We reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC225-05A030, 
Revision 0, dated July 12, 2012 (ASB). The ASB states that while 
reconditioning the main rotor mast (MRM) assemblies, Eurocopter found 
corrosion on the rotating and stationary swashplates under the 
retaining flanges of the swashplate sub-assembly bearing. Over time, 
this corrosion could initiate a crack. The ASB specifies inspecting the 
MRM assembly for corrosion or a crack and replacing the MRM assembly if 
a crack or corrosion is found. The FAA and EASA use the term MRH 
assembly, while Eurocopter uses MRM assembly to describe the same 
section of the helicopter.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require:
    Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the MRH assembly 
accumulates 1,320 hours TIS, whichever occurs later, and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 1,320 hours TIS, visually inspecting the 
rotating and stationary swashplates for corrosion or a crack.
    If a crack exists in the rotating or stationary swashplates, 
replacing the MRH assembly with an airworthy MRH.
    If corrosion exists without any visual indication of cracking, 
doing the following: Before further flight, installing a placard 
stating ``NO FLIGHT IN OAT BELOW -30[deg]C'' in the full view of the 
pilots and inserting the same statement in the Limitations Section, 
Section 2.3 Flight Envelope, Item 2 Temperature Limits, of the 
helicopter's Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM).
    Within 150 hours TIS or 6 months after the inspection when the 
corrosion was first detected, whichever occurs first, replacing the MRH 
assembly with an airworthy assembly, removing any placard that states 
``NO FLIGHT IN OAT BELOW -30[deg]C'' from the helicopter, and removing 
any related limitation from the RFM.
    Replacing an MRH assembly would not constitute terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect three helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs would average $85 per work-hour. 
Based on these estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Inspecting the rotating and stationary swashplates for 
corrosion or a crack would require 8 work-hours for a cost of $680 per 
helicopter and $2,040 for the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle. Making 
and installing the placard

[[Page 44045]]

would require 0.5 work-hour, for a cost of $43 per helicopter. The 
labor cost of installing paper in the flight manual would be negligible 
for a helicopter.
     Replacing the MRH assembly would require 24 work-hours and 
parts would cost $5,000, for a total cost of $7,040 per helicopter.

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):

EUROCOPTER FRANCE HELICOPTERS (Eurocopter): Docket No. FAA-2013-
0635; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-081-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter Model EC225LP helicopters with a 
main rotor hub (MRH) assembly with a rotating swashplate, part 
number (P/N) 332A31-3074-00 or 332A31-3076-00, and stationary 
swashplate, P/N 332A31-3079-00 or 332A31-3079-01, installed, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as corrosion or a crack in 
the stationary or rotating swashplate of the MRH assembly, which 
could lead to failure of the swashplate 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) or before the MRH 
assembly accumulates 1,320 hours TIS, whichever occurs later, and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,320 hours TIS, visually 
inspect the rotating and stationary swashplates for corrosion or a 
crack by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.2 
and Figures 1 through 3, of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 
EC225-05A030, Revision 0, dated July 12, 2012 (ASB).
    (2) If a crack exists in the rotating or stationary swashplates, 
replace the MRH assembly with an airworthy MRH.
    (3) If corrosion exists without any visual indication of 
cracking, do the following:
    (i) Before further flight, install a placard stating ``NO FLIGHT 
IN OAT BELOW -30 [deg]C'' in the full view of the pilots and add the 
statement ``NO FLIGHT IN OAT BELOW -30 [deg]C'' to the Operating 
Limitations Section of the helicopter's Rotorcraft Flight Manual 
(RFM) by making pen and ink changes or by inserting a copy of this 
AD in Section 2.3 Flight Envelope, Item 2 Temperature Limits.
    (ii) Within 150 hours TIS or 6 months after the inspection when 
the corrosion was first detected, whichever occurs first, replace 
the MRH assembly with an airworthy assembly. Remove any placard that 
states ``NO FLIGHT IN OAT BELOW -30 [deg]C'' from the helicopter and 
remove any related limitation from the RFM.
    (4) Replacement of an MRH assembly does not constitute 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by 
paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.

 (e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email gary.b.roach@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.

(f) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2012-0131, dated July 31, 2012. You may 
view a copy of the EASA AD in the AD Docket on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov.

 (g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6230, Main Rotor 
Mast/Swashplate.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 11, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17628 Filed 7-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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