36216 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 117 / Monday, June 18, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

(2) If there is a crack or if a pilot indicates 

that the center windscreen distorted during 

flight, before further flight, replace the center 

windscreen with an airworthy center 

windscreen, P/N 350A25–9045–20, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraphs 2.B.2.b. through 

2.B.2.b.4. of Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 

56–003, Revision 0, dated November 16, 

2010. 

(3) Within 12 months, replace the center 

windscreen with an airworthy center 

windscreen, P/N 350A25–9045–20, in 

accordance with the instructions contained 

in paragraph (d)(2) of this AD. 

(4) Replacing the center windscreen with 

center windscreen, P/N 350A25–9045–20, 

constitutes terminating action for the 

requirements of this AD. 

(e) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits may be issued in 

accordance with 14 CFR §§ 21.197 and 

21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location 

where the requirements of this AD can be 

accomplished, provided that: 

(1) No passengers are onboard; 

(2) The time to fly to the location does not 

exceed 10 hours time-in-service; and 

(3) The airspeed does not exceed 70 knots 

indicated air speed (KIAS). 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOC) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Jim Grigg, 

Manager, Safety Management Group, 

Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 

Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 

222–5110; email jim.grigg@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) 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 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 (EASA) 

AD No. 2010–0258, dated December 6, 2010. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 5600, Window/Windshield System. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 8, 

2012. 

Kim Smith, 

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–14799 Filed 6–15–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0631; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–SW–021–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

France Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALSEP18JN12.006</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 117 / Monday, June 18, 2012 / Proposed Rules 36217 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Eurocopter France Model AS350B, 

AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, 

AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, 

AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, 

AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters with 

certain Aerazur emergency flotation gear 

attachment brackets (brackets) installed. 

This proposed AD would require an 

initial and recurring inspection of the 

brackets for a crack, and if there is a 

crack, replacing the cracked bracket 

with an airworthy bracket. This 

proposed AD is prompted by reports of 

cracks on the brackets. The proposed 

actions are intended to prevent failure 

of the emergency flotation system and 

loss of float stability in the event of a 

water landing. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by August 17, 2012. 

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, Texas 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: Jim 

Grigg, Manager, Safety Management 

Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 

2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 

76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

jim.grigg@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, issued AD No. 2011–0072, dated 

April 20, 2011 (AD 2011–0072), to 

correct an unsafe condition for the 

Eurocopter AS350B, AS350BA, 

AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2, 

AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, 

AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and 

AS355NP helicopters with Aerazur 

emergency flotation gear attachments 

installed. EASA advises of several 

reports of cracks being found on the 

brackets which appear to be caused by 

stress corrosion. This condition, if not 

corrected, could result in ‘‘rupture of 

the emergency flotation gear attachment 

brackets’’ during a water landing, no 

longer ensuring float stability of the 

helicopter, possibly resulting in damage 

to the helicopter and injury to the 

occupants. The EASA’s AD requires an 

initial inspection of the brackets, 

replacement of any brackets found with 

cracks, and re-inspection of the brackets 

every 13 months. 

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, the 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 helicopters of these 

same type designs. 

Related Service Information 

Eurocopter issued Alert Service 

Bulletin (ASB) No. AS350–05.00.63, 

Revision 1, dated April 18, 2011 

(AS350–05.00.63), and ASB No. AS355– 

05.00.58, Revision 1, dated April 18, 

2011 (AS355–05.00.58). These ASBs 

specify procedures to inspect the front 

and rear brackets at regular intervals. 

The EASA classified these ASBs as 

mandatory and issued EASA AD 2011– 

0072 to ensure the continued 

airworthiness of these helicopters. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

inspecting the brackets for a crack 

within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS) 

or 3 months, whichever occurs first and, 

if there is a crack, replacing the cracked 

bracket with an airworthy bracket. This 

proposed AD would also require 

repeating the inspection at intervals not 

to exceed 13 months. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the EASA AD 

Differences between this proposed AD 

and the EASA AD include: 

• The EASA AD applies to 

Eurocopter Model AS 350 BB 

helicopters; this proposed AD does not 

as this model is not type certificated by 

the FAA. Additionally, the EASA AD 

excludes Eurocopter Models AS350C 

and AS350D1, whereas this proposed 

AD includes them. 

• The EASA AD mandates different 

compliance times depending on the 

manufacture date of the helicopter; we 

mandate inspecting all helicopters 

within 110 hours TIS or 3 months, 

whichever occurs first, regardless of 

date of manufacture. 

• This proposed AD does not require 

returning cracked brackets to the 

manufacturer. 

Interim Action 

We consider this proposed AD 

interim action. Eurocopter is currently 

developing a modification that will 

address the unsafe condition identified 

in this AD. Once this modification is 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
36218 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 117 / Monday, June 18, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

developed, approved, and available, we 

might consider additional rulemaking. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 733 helicopters of U.S. 

Registry. We estimate that operators 

may incur the following costs in order 

to comply with this AD. It would take 

about 4 work-hours per inspection cycle 

and the average labor rate is $85 per 

work-hour. Based on these estimates, 

the total cost per inspection cycle would 

be $340 per helicopter and $249,220 on 

the U.S. fleet. Required parts for one 

bracket replacement would cost about 

$1,130 and replacement would take 

about 1 work-hour. Thus, the total cost 

to replace one bracket would be about 

$1,215; however, we have no way of 

determining the number of helicopters 

that might need these replacements. 

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 

1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA–2012– 

0631; Directorate Identifier 2011–SW– 

021–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Eurocopter France 

Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, 

AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, 

AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, 

AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters 

with an Aerazur emergency flotation gear 

attachment bracket, part number 158172, 

158173, 158288, or 158289, installed, 

certificated in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as a 

crack in an attachment bracket of the 

emergency flotation gear. This condition 

could result in failure of the emergency 

flotation system and loss of float stability in 

the event of a water landing. 

(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 

Within 110 hours time-in-service or 3 

months, whichever occurs first, and 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 13 

months: 

(1) Using a 5x or higher power magnifying 

glass, visually inspect the front emergency 

floatation gear attachment bracket (Figure 1 

of this AD, section B–B, item (e)) in Areas F, 

G, and H; and the rear emergency flotation 

gear attachment bracket (Figure 1 of this AD, 

section A–A, item (a)) in Areas D and E for 

a crack. 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 117 / Monday, June 18, 2012 / Proposed Rules 36219 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–C 

(2) If there is a crack, replace the cracked 

emergency floatation gear attachment bracket 

with an airworthy emergency floatation gear 

attachment bracket prior to reinstallation of 

the emergency flotation equipment. 

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOC) 

(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send 

your proposal to: Jim Grigg, Manager, Safety 

Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 

Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; 

email jim.grigg@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. 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALSEP18JN12.007</GPH>
36220 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 117 / Monday, June 18, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

(f) Additional Information 

(1) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 

No. AS350–05.00.63, Revision 1, dated April 

18, 2011, and ASB No. AS355–05.00.58, 

Revision 1, dated April 18, 2011, which are 

not incorporated by reference, contain 

additional information about the subject of 

this AD. For this service information, contact 

American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. 

Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052; 

telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; 

fax (972) 641–3775; or at http:// 

www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may 

review this 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 (EASA) AD 

No. 2011–0072, dated April 20, 2011. 

(g) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 2560, Emergency Equipment. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 8, 

2012. 

Kim Smith, 

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–14807 Filed 6–15–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0632; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–SW–044–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

France Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model 

SA–365N, SA–365N1, AS–365N2, AS 

365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA–365C, 

SA–365C1, SA–365C2, and SA–366G1 

helicopters. This proposed AD is 

prompted by reports of corrosion on the 

main gearbox (MGB) casing lower area 

between the two servo-control 

anchoring fitting attachment ribs. An 

investigation determined that the 

corrosion was associated with sealing 

compound on the lower part of the 

fitting/casing attachment. The proposed 

actions are intended to detect corrosion 

on the MGB casing, which could lead to 

a crack, failure of the MGB, and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by August 17, 2012. 

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 Forum 

Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75053–4005, 

telephone (800) 232–0323, fax (972) 

641–3710, or at http:// 

www.eurocopter.com. 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rao 

Edupuganti, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Regulations and Policy Group, 

Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 

76137; telephone (817) 222–4389; email: 

rao.edupaganti@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 AD No.: 2011–0127, 

dated July 1, 2011 (AD No. 2011–0127), 

which supersedes Directorate General 

for Civil Aviation (DGAC France) AD F– 

2008–04, dated June 4, 2008, for the 

Eurocopter Model EC 155 B, EC 155 B1, 

SA 365 N, SA 365 N1, AS 365 N2, AS 

365 N3, SA 366 G1, SA 365 C, SA 365 

C1, SA 365 C2, and SA 365 C3 

helicopters with a MGB, all part 

numbers, that was delivered before 

December 5, 2007, installed on 

helicopters delivered before December 

5, 2007, or overhauled or repaired 

before September 30, 2008. EASA states 

that in 2008, it received two reports of 

atmospheric corrosion on the MGB 

casing lower area of two helicopters 

between the two servo-control 

anchoring fitting attachment ribs. The 

investigation showed that the corrosion 

occurred in this area due to the presence 

of ‘‘PR sealing compound’’ on the lower 

part of the fitting/casing attachment. 

The ‘‘PR sealing compound’’ may have 

been applied incorrectly on some 

helicopters due to a misinterpretation of 

the Eurocopter documentation during 

installation. EASA states that this 

condition, if not corrected, could lead to 

‘‘crack initiation and crack growth in 

the affected area of the casing,’’ which 

could cause this area to fail and result 

in loss of control of the helicopter. 

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 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS