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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17076-17078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06132]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0795; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-53-AD; 
Amendment 39-17395; AD 2013-05-23]
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 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters to 
require a one-time inspection of the main rotor head (MRH) swash-plate 
upper bearing (bearing) for a non-smooth point (friction point). This 
AD was prompted by a report of the premature deterioration of the MRH 
bearing of the rotating star installed on a Model AS332L1 helicopter. 
The actions of this AD are intended to detect deterioration of the MRH 
bearing and to prevent overloading the scissor links which drive the 
main rotor system, failure of the scissors links, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective April 24, 2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum

[[Page 17077]]

Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005; telephone (800) 232-0323; or at 
http://www.eurocopter.com. 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: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On July 30, 2012, at 77 FR 44509, 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 Model 
AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters with a certain MRH. That NPRM proposed to 
require inspecting the MRH bearing for a non-smooth point (friction 
point), and if there is a friction point in the bearing, then replacing 
the MRH with an airworthy MRH, or if there is not a friction point in 
the bearing, then further inspecting the grease expelled from the MRH 
swash-plate for metal particles. The NPRM also proposed to require that 
if there is a metal particle in the grease expelled from the MRH swash-
plate, replacing the MRH with an airworthy MRH, or if there is not a 
metal particle in the grease, measuring the force required to rotate 
the MRH swash-plate and inspecting certain MRH swash-plate assemblies 
for vertical play in the bearing to determine the airworthiness of the 
MRH. The proposed requirements were intended to detect deterioration of 
the MRH bearing and to prevent overloading the scissor links which 
drive the main rotor system, failure of the scissors links, 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, issued EASA 
Emergency AD No. 2008-0172-E, dated September 9, 2008 (EAD No. 2008-
0172-E), to correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Model AS 332 
C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters, with an MRH, part number (P/N) 332A31-
0001-05 or P/N 332A31-0001-06, having a serial number (S/N) of M172, 
M216, M261, M308, M547, M677, M811, or M936, and having ``logged less 
than 275 flight hours since the last overhaul or repair.'' EASA states 
that Eurocopter received a report of deterioration of an MRH bearing on 
an MRH that was installed on an AS 332 L1 helicopter. The AS 332 L1 
helicopter had logged 72 flight hours since the last overhaul. EASA 
states that there was an onset of vibrations in flight and these 
vibrations were due to premature deterioration of the upper bearing of 
the MRH swash-plate. They state that this condition, if not corrected, 
``could lead to failure of the scissors links and consequently to the 
control loss of the helicopter.''

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (77 FR 44509, 
July 30, 2012).

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 one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) 
with two different numbers, both Revision 0, and both dated September 
8, 2008: EASB No. 62.00.73 for Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters and 
non-FAA type certificated Model C1 helicopters; and EASB No. 62.00.30 
for non-FAA type certificated Model 532 UC, AC, UL, AL, SC, and UE 
military helicopters. EASB No. 62.00.73 specifies checking for the 
absence of a friction point in the MRH bearing. If there is no friction 
point, EASB No. 62.00.73 specifies checking the condition of the grease 
in the swash-plate assembly by lubricating the swash-plate, rotating it 
by hand, and determining if the expelled grease contains traces of 
metal particles. If the expelled grease does not contain traces of 
metal particles, EASB No. 62.00.73 specifies checking the swash-plate 
``rotation torque'' using a spring scale. If the rotation torque is 
less than 5.5 kg, EASB No. 62.00.73 specifies checking the bearing for 
vertical play. If there is a friction point, the expelled grease 
contains traces of metal particles, the rotation torque is equal to or 
greater than 5.5 kg, or there is vertical play in the bearing, EASB No. 
62.00.73 specifies removing the MRH and sending it to an approved 
repair station. EASA classified this EASB as mandatory and issued EAD 
No. 2008-0172-E to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA Emergency AD includes Model AS332C1 helicopters. This AD 
does not include this model helicopter since it is not type 
certificated in the U.S. The EASA AD does not include S/Ns M561, M859, 
M935, M938, and M942, whereas this AD does include those S/Ns. The EASA 
Emergency AD requires operators to comply with the requirements no 
later than the ``next last flight of the day.'' Our AD requires the 
actions to be accomplished within 5 hours TIS. Also, the EASA Emergency 
AD is applicable to the specified helicopters having logged less than 
275 flight hours since the last overhaul or repair, whereas our AD only 
applies to the specified helicopters having less than 275 hours TIS 
since the last overhaul of the MRH.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 6 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. It will take approximately 1 work-hour 
per helicopter to accomplish the inspection of the MRH bearing for a 
friction point, inspection of the swash-plate grease for any metal 
particles, measurement of the swash-plate force to rotate, and 
inspection of the bearing for vertical play. It will take approximately 
60 work-hours to replace the MRH. These actions will be accomplished at 
an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. We estimate the parts cost 
of replacing an MRH will be approximately $20,000. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the total cost of this

[[Page 17078]]

AD on U.S. operators is $25,610, assuming that all affected helicopters 
are inspected and that one MRH in the fleet will need to be replaced.

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):

2013-05-23 Eurocopter France (Eurocopter): Amendment 39-17395; 
Docket No. FAA-2012-0795; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-53-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter Model AS332C, L, and L1 
helicopters with a main rotor head (MRH), part number (P/N) 332A31-
0001-05 or P/N 332A31-0001-06, with a serial number (S/N) M172, 
M216, M261, M308, M547, M561, M677, M811, M859, M935, M936, M938, or 
M942 installed; having less than 275 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
since the last overhaul of the MRH; certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as deterioration of the MRH 
swash-plate upper bearing (bearing), which could result in 
overloading the scissor links which drive the main rotor system, 
failure of the scissors links, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 24, 2013.

(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

    Within 5 hours TIS:
    (1) Inspect the MRH bearing for a non-smooth point (friction 
point) by rotating the MRH swash-plate and:
    (i) If there is a friction point in the bearing, before further 
flight, replace the MRH with an airworthy MRH.
    (ii) If there is not a friction point in the bearing, lubricate 
the MRH swash-plate and rotate it until grease is expelled; inspect 
the expelled grease for metal particles.
    (A) If there is a metal particle in the grease, before further 
flight, replace the MRH with an airworthy MRH.
    (B) If there is not a metal particle in the grease, measure the 
force required to rotate the MRH swash-plate using a spring scale 
attached to the pitch change rod attachment yokes.
    (1) If the force to rotate the MRH swash-plate is equal to or 
greater than 5.5 kg, before further flight, replace the MRH with an 
airworthy MRH.
    (2) If the force to rotate the MRH swash-plate is less than 5.5 
kg, inspect the MRH swash-plate assembly for vertical play in the 
bearing. If there is vertical play in the bearing, before further 
flight, replace the MRH with an airworthy MRH.
    (2) Before installing an MRH, P/N 332A31-0001-05 or P/N 332A31-
001-06, with S/N M172, M216, M261, M308, M547, M561, M677, M811, 
M859, M935, M936, M938, or M942 on any helicopter, inspect the MRH 
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: 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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin, No. 62.00.73, 
Revision 0, dated September 8, 2008, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact American 
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 
75053-4005; telephone (800) 232-0323; or at http://www.eurocopter.com. You may review a copy of the 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 the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (France) Emergency AD No. 2008-0172-E, dated September 
9, 2008.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail Rotor 
System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 7, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-06132 Filed 3-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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