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[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38956-38958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16528]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0670; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-42-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (ECF) Model SA330F, 
G, and J; and AS332C, L, L1, and L2 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 the 
specified ECF model helicopters. This proposed AD results from a 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Community. The MCAI AD states 
that EASA received a report of a rear hinged door on a Model AS332L1 
helicopter opening in flight without loss of the door. Examinations 
revealed incorrect positioning of a door catch that resulted in 
incorrect locking and uncontrolled opening of the door. This condition, 
if not detected and corrected, can lead to the loss of the hinged door 
in flight, damage to the main or tail rotor blades, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 6, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, 
TX 75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at 
http://www.eurocopter.com.
    Examining the Docket: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet

[[Page 38957]]

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 
stated in the ADDRESSES section of this proposal. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Gary Roach, 
ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations 
and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, 
telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written data, views, or arguments about 
this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this proposal. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0670; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-42-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Community, has issued EASA AD No. 2009-0015, dated January 21, 
2009, to correct an unsafe condition for the specified ECF model 
helicopters.
    The MCAI AD states that EASA received a report of a rear hinged 
door on a Model AS332L1 helicopter opening in flight without loss of 
the door. Examinations revealed incorrect positioning of a door catch 
that ``induced incorrect locking and resulted in uncontrolled opening 
of the door.'' This condition, if not detected and corrected, can lead 
to the loss of the hinged door in flight, damage to the main or tail 
rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI AD and any 
related service information in the AD docket.

Related Service Information

    ECF has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Nos. 52.13 for the 
SA330F, G, and J helicopters, and 52.00.38 for the AS332C, C1, L, L1, 
and L2 helicopters, both ASBs dated December 1, 2008. The ASBs specify 
inspecting the upper and lower catches of the hinged doors to ensure 
the catches are correctly positioned. The actions described in the MCAI 
AD are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the 
service information. The AS332C1 is not type certificated in the United 
States.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition 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, their Technical Agent, has 
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI AD. We are 
proposing 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. This proposed 
AD would require the following:
     Within the next 220 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 6 
months, whichever occurs first, inspecting the positioning of each 
lower and upper door catch.
     If any door catch is improperly installed, before further 
flight, replacing the affected catch, adjusting the micro-switches, and 
doing a functional test of the hinged door indicating system.
    The requirements would be done by following the specified portions 
of the ASBs.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    We refer to flight hours as hours TIS. This AD does not apply to 
the Model AS332C1 because that model is not FAA type certificated.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 10 helicopters 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-
hours per helicopter to inspect each door catch for correct position of 
the door hinges, replace an affected catch, adjust the micro-switches 
of the hinged door, and do a functional test. The average labor rate is 
$85 per work-hour. The cost of the required parts is minimal. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators would be $1,700.

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 product(s) 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.
    Therefore, I certify this proposed AD:
    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); and
    3. 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:

[[Page 38958]]

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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

EUROCOPTER FRANCE: FAA-2010-0670; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-42-
AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive your comments by August 6, 2010.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model SA330F, G, J, and AS332C, L, L1, 
and L2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD 
states that EASA received a report of a rear hinged door on a Model 
AS332L1 helicopter opening in flight without loss of the door. 
Examinations revealed incorrect positioning of a door catch that 
resulted in incorrect locking and uncontrolled opening of the door. 
This condition, if not detected and corrected, can lead to the loss 
of the hinged door in flight, damage to the main or tail rotor 
blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Required as indicated.
    (1) Within the next 220 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 6 months, 
whichever occurs first, unless done previously, inspect the position 
of each upper and lower door catch:
    (i) As depicted in Figures 1 through 4 and by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Table 1 of paragraph 2.B.2., of Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 52.13, dated December 1, 2008 (ASB 52.13) 
for the Model SA330F, G, and J helicopters, or
    (ii) As depicted in Figures 1 through 5 and by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Table 1 of paragraph 2.B.2. of ASB No. 
52.00.38, dated December 1, 2008 (ASB 52.00.38) for the Model 
AS332C, L, L1, and L2 helicopters.
    (2) Before further flight, replace each improperly positioned 
catch by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
2.B.3. and 2.B.4., of ASB 52.13 or ASB 52.00.38, as appropriate for 
your model helicopter.
    (3) Before further flight, adjust each micro-switch, and conduct 
a functional test of the hinged-door indicating system:
    (i) By following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
2.B.5. and 2.B.6., of ASB 52.13, for the Model SA330F, G, and J 
helicopters, or
    (ii) By following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
2.B.5.a. through 2.B.5.b. of ASB 52.00.38 for the Model AS332C, L, 
L1, and L2 helicopters.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    (f) We refer to flight hours as hours TIS. This AD does not 
apply to the Model AS332C1 because that model is not FAA type 
certificated.

Other Information

    (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, ATTN: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Gary Roach, 
ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
Regulations and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137, telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) EASA MCAI AD No. 2009-0015, dated January 21, 2009, contains 
related information.

Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code

    (i) The JASC Code is 5200: Doors.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 11, 2010.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-16528 Filed 7-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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