Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 72 / Monday, April 15, 2013 / Proposed Rules 22213 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0341; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–SW–025–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 

Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model 

EC120B and EC130B4 helicopters with 

certain emergency flotation gear (float) 

installed. This proposed AD would 

require inspecting the float for chafing 

of the fabric covering and adding 

protectors to the float installation to 

prevent contact between the float and 

the protruding sections of the 

installation. This proposed AD is 

prompted by a report of a float that 

would not inflate during overhaul 

because one of the float compartments 

was punctured due to chafing. The 

proposed actions are intended to 

prevent failure of float and subsequent 

loss of control of the helicopter during 

an emergency water landing. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by June 14, 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: 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: 

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. 2011– 

0185, dated September 23, 2011 (AD 

2011–0185), to correct an unsafe 

condition for the Eurocopter Model 

EC120 and EC130 helicopters. EASA 

advises that during overhaul of an 

emergency flotation gear installation, it 

was impossible to inflate the right-hand 

(RH) float according to the instructions 

in the equipment manufacturer’s 

manual. An investigation revealed that 

one of the compartments in the float 

was punctured and several areas of the 

left-hand (LH) and RH floats were 

damaged. According to EASA, the 

damage was caused by chafing between 

the float and the protruding sections of 

the supply bars and banjo unions. To 

address this potentially unsafe 

condition, EASA issued AD No. 2009– 

0190, dated August 26, 2009 (AD 2009– 

0190), which required repetitive 

inspections of the floats to detect 

chafing. Since AD 2009–0190 was 

issued, Aerazur, the float manufacturer, 

developed protectors to be installed on 

the floats to eliminate interference 

between the float and the blunt parts of 

the installation. EASA then issued AD 

2011–0185, which superseded AD 

2009–0190 and required installation of 

the protectors on the floats as 

terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections. 

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 has issued Alert Service 

Bulletin (ASB) No. 05A011, Revision 0, 

dated June 8, 2009 (ASB 05A011), for 

Model EC120B helicopters and ASB No. 

05A008, Revision 0, dated June 8, 2009 

(ASB 05A008), for Model EC130B4 

helicopters. Both ASBs specify 

inspecting the floats for deterioration 

and chafing at specified intervals and, if 

necessary, repairing the floats. 

Eurocopter has also issued ASB No. 

EC120–25A026, Revision 0, dated July 

11, 2011 (ASB EC120–25A026), for 

Model EC120B helicopters and ASB No. 

EC130–25A042, Revision 0, dated July 

11, 2011 (ASB EC130–25A042), for 

Model EC130B4 helicopters. Both ASBs 

specify modifying certain partnumbered LH and RH emergency 

flotation gear by adding protectors onto 

the rear bracket and supply couplings of 

the float installation. The ASBs specify 

following procedures in Aerazur Service 

Bulletin (SB) No. 25–69–87, dated 

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22214 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 72 / Monday, April 15, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

March 14, 2011, for floats installed on 

Model EC120B helicopters and Aerazur 

SB No. 25–69–58, dated March 14, 2011, 

for floats installed on Model EC130B4 

helicopters. Each Aerazur SB is 

incorporated as an appendix to the 

corresponding Eurocopter ASB. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require: 

• For floats with 250 or more hours 

time-in-service (TIS), within 50 hours 

TIS, inspecting the floats for chafing. 

• For floats with less than 250 hours 

TIS since installation, before 

accumulating 300 hours TIS, inspecting 

the floats for chafing. 

• If, during any inspection required 

by this proposed AD, chafing is 

detected, before further flight, 

inspecting the float and fittings and 

repairing if necessary. 

• Within 300 hours TIS, installing 

protective covers on the floats as 

described in ASB EC120–25A026 or 

ASB EC130–25A042, as appropriate for 

your model helicopter. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 60 helicopters of U.S. 

Registry. Based on an average labor rate 

of $85 per work-hour, we estimate that 

operators may incur the following costs 

to comply with this AD. Inspecting the 

floats for chafing would require about .5 

hour, for a cost per helicopter of $43, 

and a cost to U.S. operators of $2,580. 

Modifying the floats with protective 

covers would require about 1 hour and 

required parts would cost about $500, 

for a cost per helicopter of $585, and a 

cost to U.S. operators of $35,100. The 

total estimated cost of this proposed AD 

is $628 per helicopter and $37,680 for 

the U.S. operator fleet. 

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–2013– 

0341; Directorate Identifier 2012–SW– 

025–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

(1) This AD applies to the following 

helicopters, certificated in any category: 

(i) Model EC120B helicopters with a lefthand (LH) emergency flotation gear, part 

number (P/N) 215674–0, 215674–1, or 

215674–2 installed, fitted with a float, P/N 

215481–0; or with a right-hand (RH) 

emergency flotation gear, P/N 215675–0, 

215675–1, or 215675–2 installed, fitted with 

a float, P/N 215482–0; and 

(ii) Model EC130B4 helicopters with a LH 

emergency flotation gear P/N 217227–0 

installed, fitted with a float P/N 217174–0; or 

with a RH emergency flotation gear P/N 

217228–0 installed, fitted with a float, P/N 

217195–0. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

chafing of the float due to contact with the 

protruding sections of the supply bars and 

banjo sections of the emergency flotation gear 

installation. This condition could result in 

the float becoming punctured, failure of the 

float to inflate, and subsequent loss of control 

of the helicopter during an emergency water 

landing. 

(c) Reserved 

(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 

(1) For emergency flotation gear that have 

accumulated 250 or more hours time-in 

service (TIS), within 50 hours TIS, 

accomplish the following: 

(i) Undo the Velcro tapes and remove the 

break laces. Remove the caps from the cover 

end. Unfold the cover. 

(ii) Inspect each float area in contact with 

the emergency flotation gear protruding parts 

(supply bar, banjo union, and fittings) for 

chafing as shown in Figure 1 of Eurocopter 

Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05A011, 

Revision 0, dated June 8, 2009, or Eurocopter 

ASB No. 05A008, Revision 0, dated June 8, 

2009, as appropriate for your model 

helicopter. 

(iii) If there is any chafing between the 

protruding parts and the float fabric, before 

further flight, inspect the flotation gear. 

(A) Unfold and visually inspect the float 

assemblies for any cuts, tears, punctures, or 

abrasion. Replace the cover if the internal 

polycarbonate sheet is cut or if the cover is 

cut or punctured. 

(B) Lightly inflate the floats to 

approximately 50 hectopascals through the 

manual inflating valve and inspect the fabric 

panels and girts for any cuts, tears, 

punctures, or abrasion. If there is a cut, tear, 

puncture, or any abrasion, repair the float. 

(2) For emergency floatation gear that have 

accumulated less than 250 hours TIS, on or 

before accumulating 300 hours TIS, inspect 

the float gear as described in paragraph 

(e)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD. 

(3) Within 300 hours TIS: 

(i) For Model EC120B helicopters, install 

protectors on and re-identify the P/N of each 

LH and RH emergency floatation gear as 

described in the Operating Instructions, 

paragraph 2.C., of Aerazur Service Bulletin 

(SB) No. 25–69–87, dated March 14, 2011. 

The Aerazur SB is attached as an appendix 

to Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 

No. EC120–25A026, Revision 0, dated July 

11, 2011. 

(ii) For Model EC130B4 helicopters, install 

protectors on and re-identify the P/N of each 

LH and RH emergency floatation gear as 

described in the Operating Instructions, 

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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 72 / Monday, April 15, 2013 / Proposed Rules 22215 

paragraph 2., of Aerazur SB No. 25–69–58, 

dated March 14, 2011. The Aerazur SB is 

attached as an appendix to Eurocopter ASB 

No. EC130–25A042, Revision 0, dated July 

11, 2011. 

(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 

The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 

2011–0185, dated September 23, 2011. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 3212: Emergency Flotation Section. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 8, 

2013. 

Kim Smith, 

Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–08758 Filed 4–12–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0326; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–089–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an 

existing airworthiness directive (AD) 

that applies to certain The Boeing 

Company Model 757 series airplanes 

equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211 

engines. The existing AD currently 

requires modification of the nacelle 

strut and wing structure; for certain 

airplanes, repetitive detailed 

inspections of certain aft bulkhead 

fasteners for loose or missing fasteners, 

and corrective action if necessary. For 

certain other airplanes, the existing AD 

requires a one-time detailed inspection 

of the middle gusset of the inboard side 

load fitting for proper alignment, and 

realignment if necessary; a one-time 

eddy current inspection of certain 

fastener holes for cracking, and repair if 

necessary; a detailed inspection of 

certain fasteners for loose or missing 

fasteners; and replacement with new 

fasteners if necessary. Since we issued 

that AD, a compliance time error was 

discovered, which could allow an 

airplane to exceed the acceptable 

compliance time for addressing the 

unsafe condition. This proposed AD 

would specify a maximum compliance 

time limit. We are proposing this AD to 

prevent fatigue cracking in primary strut 

structure and consequent reduced 

structural integrity of the strut. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by May 30, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 

Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, 

Seattle, WA 98124–2207; phone: 206– 

544–5000, extension 1; fax: 206–766– 

5680; Internet: https:// 

www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 

review copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue 

SW., Renton, WA. For information on 

the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Management Facility between 9 

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 

docket contains this proposed AD, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for the Docket Office 

(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Nancy Marsh, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 

FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

WA 98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6440; 

fax: 425–917–6590; email: 

Nancy.Marsh@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposed AD. Send your comments 

to an address listed under the 

ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2013–0326; Directorate Identifier 

2012–NM–089–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 because of 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 

On May 25, 2004, we issued AD 

2004–12–07, Amendment 39–13666 (69 

FR 33561, June 16, 2004), for certain 

Model 757 series airplanes equipped 

with Rolls-Royce RB211 engines. (AD 

2004–12–07 superseded AD 99–24–07, 

Amendment 39–11431 (64 FR 66370, 

November 26, 1999)). AD 2004–12–07 

requires modification of the nacelle 

strut and wing structure; and for certain 

airplanes, repetitive detailed 

inspections of certain aft bulkhead 

fasteners for loose or missing fasteners, 

and corrective action if necessary. For 

certain other airplanes, the existing AD 

requires a one-time detailed inspection 

of the middle gusset of the inboard side 

load fitting for proper alignment and 

realignment if necessary; a one-time 

eddy current inspection of certain 

fastener holes for cracking, and repair if 

necessary; a detailed inspection of 

certain fasteners for loose or missing 

fasteners; and replacement with new 

fasteners if necessary. That AD resulted 

from reports indicating that the actual 

operational loads applied to the nacelle 

are higher than the analytical loads that 

were used during the initial design. 

Such an increase in loading can lead to 

fatigue cracking in primary strut 

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