Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 218 / Friday, November 9, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 67261 

(1) Upgrade the flight control computer 

(FCC) to introduce the SRIW logic, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300– 

22–6056, dated April 25, 2012. 

(2) Upgrade the flight warning computer 

(FWC) to introduce the SRIW aural 

capability, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A300–31–6140, dated May 

4, 2012. 

(B) Activate the SRIW device, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A300–22–6055, Revision 01, 

including Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. 

(ii) For Model A310 series airplanes: Do 

the actions specified in paragraphs 

(g)(2)(ii)(A) and (g)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD. 

(A) Install a SRIW device, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Airbus Service Bulletin A310–22–2063, 

including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 2012. 

Before or concurrently with the SRIW 

installation, do the actions specified in 

paragraphs (g)(2)(ii)(A)(1) and (g)(2)(ii)(A)(2) 

of this AD. 

(1) Upgrade the FCC to introduce the SRIW 

logic, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A310–22–2065, dated April 

25, 2012. 

(2) Upgrade the FWC to introduce the 

SRIW aural capability, in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A310–31–2144, dated May 

4, 2012. 

(B) Activate the SRIW device, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A310–22–2064, Revision 01, 

including Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, International Branch, 

ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 

for this AD, if requested using the procedures 

found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 

14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 

principal inspector or local Flight Standards 

District Office, as appropriate. If sending 

information directly to the Manager, ANM– 

116, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in the Related Information section 

of this AD. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(i) Related Information 

(1) For related information, refer to MCAI 

European Aviation Safety Agency 

Airworthiness Directive 2012–0088, dated 

June 25, 2012, and the service bulletins 

identified in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through 

(i)(1)(viii) of this AD, for related information. 

(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A300–22–6055, Revision 01, including 

Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. 

(ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A310–22–2064, Revision 01, including 

Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. 

(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–22– 

6054, including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 

2012. 

(iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–22– 

6056, dated April 25, 2012. 

(v) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–31–6140, 

dated May 4, 2012. 

(vi) Airbus Service Bulletin A310–22– 

2063, including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 

2012. 

(vii) Airbus Service Bulletin A310–22– 

2065, dated April 25, 2012. 

(viii) Airbus Service Bulletin A310–31– 

2144, dated May 4, 2012. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; telephone 425–227–2125; fax 425–227– 

1149. 

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A300–22–6055, Revision 01, including 

Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. 

(ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A310–22–2064, Revision 01, including 

Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. 

(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–22– 

6054, including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 

2012. 

(iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–22– 

6056, dated April 25, 2012. 

(v) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–31–6140, 

dated May 4, 2012. 

(vi) Airbus Service Bulletin A310–22– 

2063, including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 

2012. 

(vii) Airbus Service Bulletin A310–22– 

2065, dated April 25, 2012. 

(viii) Airbus Service Bulletin A310–31– 

2144, dated May 4, 2012. 

(3) For the service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS–EAW 

(Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; 

telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 

93 44 51; email account.airwortheas@airbus.com; Internet http:// 

www.airbus.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. 

For information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 

12, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–26963 Filed 11–8–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0502; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–097–AD; Amendment 

39–17242; AD 2012–22–06] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Aeronautical 

Accessories, Inc., High Landing Gear 

Forward Crosstube Assembly 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) 

high landing gear forward crosstube 

assemblies (crosstubes) installed on 

Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB412 

and AB412EP; and Bell Helicopter 

Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 205A, 205A– 

1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP 

helicopters during production or based 

on a supplemental type certificate 

(STC). This AD requires counting and 

recording the total number of landings 

for the crosstubes, and inspecting the 

crosstubes and replacing them if a crack 

or other damage exists. This AD was 

prompted by two reports from the field 

of failed crosstubes. The actions are 

intended to prevent failure of a 

crosstube, collapse of the landing gear, 

and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: This AD is effective December 

14, 2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain documents listed in this AD 

as of December 14, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact 

Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., P.O. Box 

3689, Bristol, TN 37625–3689, 

telephone (423) 538–5151 or (800) 251– 

7094, fax (423) 538–8469, or at http:// 

www.aero-access.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. 

Examining the AD Docket: You may 

examine the AD docket on the Internet 


wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with 
67262 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 218 / Friday, November 9, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

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: 

Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 

Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; 

telephone (817) 222–5170; email 7-avsasw-170@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On May 11, 2012, at 77 FR 27663, 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 AAI 

crosstubes installed on Agusta Model 

AB412 and AB412EP, and Bell Model 

205A, 205A–1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, 

and 412EP helicopters during 

production or based on an STC. That 

NPRM proposed to require creating a 

component history card or equivalent 

record and counting and recording the 

total number of landings for the 

crosstubes. It also proposed to require 

inspecting the crosstubes and replacing 

them if a crack or other damage exists. 

The proposed requirements were 

intended to prevent failure of a 

crosstube, collapse of the landing gear, 

and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

The NPRM was prompted by two 

reports from the field of crosstube 

failures. AAI issued Alert Service 

Bulletin AA–08055, Revision B, dated 

August 12, 2009 (ASB) to provide 

procedures for repetitively inspecting 

the high forward crosstubes to detect 

this condition. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD, but 

we received no comments on the NPRM 

(77 FR 27663, May 11, 2012). 

FAA’s Determination 

We have reviewed the relevant 

information and determined that an 

unsafe condition exists and is likely to 

exist or develop on other products of 

these same type designs and that air 

safety and the public interest require 

adopting the AD requirements as 

proposed. 

Related Service Information 

We reviewed the AAI ASB, which 

specifies establishing a takeoff/landing 

history, recurrent visual and fluorescent 

penetrant inspections of the crosstubes, 

and dimensional inspections of the skid 

gear. We have also reviewed AAI 

Instructions for Continued 

Airworthiness (ICA) for Crosstubes, 

Report No. AA–01136, Revision K, 

dated February 15, 2012, which 

contains the information necessary for 

inspection and maintenance of each 

crosstube installed on the Agusta and 

Bell helicopters. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

115 helicopters of U.S. Registry and that 

operators will incur the following costs 

to comply with this AD: 

• Creating a historical record and 

determining the number of landings will 

require a half work hour at an average 

labor rate of $85 per hour for a cost per 

helicopter of about $42 and a cost to the 

U.S. operator fleet of $4,830 per 

inspection cycle. 

• Preparing and inspecting the 

crosstube will require 8.5 work hours at 

an average labor rate of $85 per hour for 

a cost per helicopter of about $722 and 

a cost to the U.S. operator fleet of 

$83,030 per inspection cycle. 

• Performing the dimensional 

inspection of the skid gear will require 

1 work hour at an average labor rate of 

$85 per hour for a cost per helicopter of 

$85 and a cost to the U.S. operator fleet 

of $9,775 per inspection cycle. 

• Fluorescent penetrant inspecting 

the crosstube will require 24 work hours 

at an average labor rate of $85 per hour 

for a cost per helicopter of $2,040 and 

a cost to the U.S. operator fleet of 

$234,600 per inspection cycle. 

• If required, replacing a crosstube 

with an airworthy crosstube will require 

10 work hours at an average labor rate 

of $85, required parts will cost $9,315, 

for a cost per helicopter of $10,165. 

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 

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 

■ 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): 

2012–22–06 Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. 

(AAI): Amendment 39–17242; Docket 

No. FAA–2012–0502; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–097–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to high landing gear 

forward crosstube assembly (crosstube), part 


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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 218 / Friday, November 9, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 67263 

number (P/N) 212–321–103, installed on 

Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 and AB412EP 

and Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 

205A, 205A–1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 

412EP helicopters, certificated in any 

category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

failure of the landing gear crosstube, which 

could result in collapse of the landing gear 

and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

(c) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective December 14, 

2012. 

(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) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) 

after the effective date of this AD: 

(i) Create a component history card or 

equivalent record for the crosstube by 

following the Accomplishment Instructions, 

Part A, paragraph 1., of AAI Alert Service 

Bulletin No. AA–08055, Revision B, dated 

August 12, 2009 (ASB). 

(ii) Determine and record on the 

component history card or equivalent record 

the total number of landings for the 

crosstube. If the landing information is 

unavailable, estimate the number by 

multiplying the airframe hours TIS by 10. 

Continue to count and record the number of 

landings for the crosstube. For the purposes 

of this AD, a landing would be counted 

anytime the helicopter lifts off into the air 

and then lands again with any further 

reduction of the collective after the landing 

gear touches the ground. 

(2) Within 50 hours TIS after the effective 

date of this AD or before reaching a total of 

7,500 landings on any crosstube, whichever 

occurs later: 

(i) Prepare the crosstube inspection areas 

as described in the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part B, paragraphs 1. through 5. 

and Figure 1, of the ASB. 

(ii) Using a 10X or higher power 

magnifying glass and a bright light, visually 

inspect the prepared areas of the crosstube 

for a crack. If there is a crack, before further 

flight, replace the crosstube with an 

airworthy crosstube. 

(iii) If there is no crack, following the 

inspection, prime and paint the inspection 

areas by following the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part B, paragraphs 7. and 8., of 

the ASB. If there is any corrosion or other 

damage, perform the replacement or repair 

required in paragraph (e)(5)(iv) of this AD 

before priming and painting the inspection 

areas. 

(3) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 

200 landings, clean the crosstube inspection 

areas by following the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part C, paragraph 1., of the ASB. 

Using a 10X or higher power magnifying 

glass and a bright light, visually inspect the 

clear-coated areas of the crosstube for a crack. 

If there is a crack, before further flight, 

replace the crosstube with an airworthy 

crosstube. 

(4) Within 30 days after the effective date 

of this AD or before reaching a total of 10,000 

landings on any crosstube, whichever occurs 

later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 

2,500 landings or 12 months, whichever 

occurs first, determine the horizontal 

deflection of the crosstube from the 

centerline of the helicopter (BL 0.0) to the 

outside of the skid tubes by following the 

Accomplishment Instructions, Part D, 

paragraphs 1. and 2., of the ASB. If the 

crosstube measures outside any of the limits 

depicted in Figure 2 of the ASB, before 

further flight, replace the crosstube with an 

airworthy crosstube. 

(5) Within 3 months after the effective date 

of this AD or before reaching a total of 12,500 

landings on any crosstube, whichever occurs 

later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 

5,000 landings: 

(i) Remove and disassemble the landing 

gear assembly and crosstube to prepare for a 

fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) by 

following the Accomplishment Instructions, 

Part E.1, paragraphs 1. through 6., of the 

ASB. 

(ii) Clean and prepare the crosstube by 

removing the sealant and paint as described 

in the Accomplishment Instructions, Part E.2, 

paragraphs 1. through 3. and Figure 3, of the 

ASB. 

(iii) Perform an FPI of the crosstube in the 

areas depicted in Figure 3 of the ASB for a 

crack, any corrosion, a nick, scratch, dent, or 

any other damage by following the 

Accomplishment Instructions, Part E.3, 

paragraph 1., of the ASB. If there is a crack, 

before further flight, replace the crosstube 

with an airworthy crosstube. 

(iv) If there is any corrosion or a nick, 

scratch, dent, or any other damage, before 

further flight, repair the crosstube to an 

airworthy configuration if the damage is 

within the maximum repair damage limits or 

replace the crosstube with an airworthy 

crosstube. Chapter 3.5 Repair, Table 1. and 

Figure 3 of the AAI Instructions for 

Continued Airworthiness for Crosstubes, 

Report No. AA–01136, Revision K, dated 

February 15, 2012, contains the maximum 

repair damage limits and repair procedures. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification 

Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Michael Kohner, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft 

Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 

76137; telephone (817) 222–5170; email 7- 

avs-asw-170@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) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 3213: Main Landing Gear Strut/Axle/ 

Truck. 

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Aeronautical Accessories Inc. Alert 

Service Bulletin No. AA–08055, Revision B, 

dated August 12, 2009. 

(ii) Aeronautical Accessories Inc. 

Instructions for Continued Airworthiness for 

Crosstubes, Report No. AA–01136, Revision 

K, dated February 15, 2012. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Aeronautical Accessories, 

Inc., P.O. Box 3689, Bristol, TN 37625–3689, 

telephone (423) 538–5151 or (800) 251–7094, 

fax (423) 538–8469, or at http://www.aeroaccess.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 

(5) You may also view this service 

information at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at NARA, call (202) 741–6030, or go 

to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/ 

cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 24, 

2012. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–26901 Filed 11–8–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0428; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–078–AD; Amendment 

39–17248; AD 2012–22–12] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Model A330–243, –243F, –341, 

–342, and –343 airplanes. This AD was 

prompted by reports of cracking of air 

intake cowls on Rolls-Royce Trent 

engines, worn and detached attachment 


wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with