Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 47 / Tuesday, March 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 13521 

to exceed 12 months, using a light source 

visually inspect the tappings, middle hole, 

and external surface of each turnbuckle for 

corrosion or a crack. Indications of corrosion 

include dirt, a bulge, faded paint, a powdery 

deposit, or a pit that is white or red in color. 

(i) If there is corrosion or a crack on the 

tappings or middle hole of the internal 

surface of a turnbuckle, replace the 

turnbuckle before further flight. 

(ii) If there is a crack on the external 

surface of a turnbuckle, replace the 

turnbuckle before further flight. 

(iii) If there is corrosion on the external 

surface of the turnbuckle, remove the 

corrosion, recondition the surface, and 

measure the corrosion depth in accordance 

with paragraph 3.B.2.b.2 of Eurocopter Alert 

Service Bulletin (ASB) No. EC225–05A031, 

ASB No. AS332–05.00.95, or ASB No. 

SA330–05.98, all Revision 1, and all dated 

June 5, 2013, as applicable to your model 

helicopter, except that you are not required 

to interpret the results per ASB paragraph 

1.E.2. 

(A) If the measured corrosion depth is 

greater than 0.3 mm, replace the turnbuckle 

before further flight. 

(B) If the measured corrosion depth is 0.3 

mm or less, do the following: 

(1) Before further flight, treat the 

turnbuckle for corrosion in accordance with 

paragraph 3.B.2.c of ASB No. EC225–05A031, 

ASB No. AS332–05.00.95, or ASB No. 

SA330–05.98, all Revision 1, and all dated 

June 5, 2013, as applicable to your model 

helicopter. 

(2) Within 6 months from when the 

turnbuckle is treated for corrosion, replace 

the turnbuckle. 

(2) After installation of a turnbuckle, P/N 

330A27–5031–20, with greater than 0 hours 

TIS, before next flight accomplish the actions 

of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. 

(f) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits are prohibited. 

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 

Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222– 

5110; email robert.grant@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. 

(h) Additional Information 

The subject of this AD is addressed in the 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 

No. 2013–0081, dated March 26, 2013 and 

EASA AD No. 2013–0081R1, dated June 20, 

2013. You may view the EASA ADs on the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 

Docket No. FAA 2013–0872. 

(i) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6700, Rotorcraft Flight Control. 

(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) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 

EC225–05A031, Revision 1, dated June 5, 

2013. 

(ii) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 

AS332–05.00.95, Revision 1, dated June 5, 

2013. 

(iii) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 

SA330–05.98, Revision 1, dated June 5, 2013. 

(3) For Eurocopter service information 

identified in this AD, contact Airbus 

Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, 

Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 

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

3775; or at http://

www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

(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 Fort Worth, Texas, on February 

20, 2014. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–04695 Filed 3–10–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0826; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–SW–046–AD; Amendment 

39–17788; AD 2014–05–15] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters (Type Certificate 

Previously Held by Eurocopter France) 

(Airbus Helicopters) 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332L, 

AS332L1, AS332L2, and SA330J 

helicopters. This AD prohibits use of the 

hydraulic hoist in helicopters equipped 

with certain parts and configurations 

until a hoist beam lower fitting protector 

is installed. This AD was prompted by 

a report that the hoist cable jammed 

during a rescue at sea. The actions of 

this AD are intended to prevent the 

hoist cable from jamming and 

subsequent cable failure, which could 

result in injury and damage to the 

helicopter. 

DATES: This AD is effective April 15, 

2014. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain documents listed in this AD 

as of April 15, 2014. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Airbus 

Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, 

Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 

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

(972) 641–3775; or at http://

www.airbushelicopters.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. 

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, the European 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 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: 

Robert Grant, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 

817–222–5110; email robert.grant@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On September 26, 2013, at 78 FR 

59306, the Federal Register published 

our notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 

CFR part 39 by adding an AD that 

would apply to Eurocopter France 

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13522 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 47 / Tuesday, March 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 

(Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, 

AS332 L1, and AS332 L2 helicopters 

with a hoist beam, Part Number (P/N) 

330A87–2345–00, –01, –02, –03, –04, 

–05, or –06, installed with a single or 

double hoist plate; and Eurocopter 

Model SA330J helicopters with a hoist 

beam, P/N 330A87–2345–00, –01, –02, 

–03, –04, –05, or –06, installed with a 

single hoist plate. The NPRM proposed 

to prohibit use of the hydraulic hoist in 

helicopters equipped with certain parts 

and configurations until a hoist beam 

lower fitting protector was installed. 

The proposed requirements were 

intended to prevent the hoist cable from 

jamming and subsequent cable failure, 

which could result in injury and 

damage to the helicopter. 

The NPRM was prompted by AD 

2009–0271R1, dated July 8, 2011, issued 

by EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, to correct an unsafe condition 

for Eurocopter Model AS332C, 

AS332C1, AS332L1, AS332L2 and 

SA330J helicopters with certain hoist 

beams installed. EASA advises that 

during a hoisting operation, a hydraulic 

hoist cable jammed against the base of 

the supporting strut of a dual hoist tray 

installation. According to EASA, the 

load was transferred to the back-up 

electrical hoist and safely brought on 

board. However, the jamming of the 

hydraulic hoist cable against the strut 

damaged the back-up electrical hoist 

power supply harness, which is routed 

through the area, resulting in a short 

circuit that fused and ruptured the 

cable. EASA reports that this condition, 

if not corrected, could lead to further 

incidents of hoist cable jamming and 

subsequent cable failure, which could 

result in personal injuries and damage 

to the helicopter. 

Since we issued the NPRM, 

Eurocopter France has changed its name 

to Airbus Helicopters. This AD reflects 

that change and updates the contact 

information to obtain service 

documentation. We also corrected an 

error in the date of issue for Eurocopter 

Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.39 in the 

Required Actions paragraph and 

Differences section of this AD to reflect 

the correct date of July 6, 2011. We have 

corrected a math error in the total cost 

per helicopter for installation of the 

hoist beam lower fitting protector and 

short footstep with lower side protector 

for certain AS332 helicopters in the Cost 

section. Finally, we have corrected our 

Joint Aircraft Service Component Code 

in the Subject paragraph of this AD to 

2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD, but 

we received no comments on the NPRM 

(78 FR 59306, September 26, 2013). 

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 except for the minor changes 

previously described. These changes are 

consistent with the intent of the 

proposals in the NPRM (78 FR 59306, 

September 26, 2013) and will not 

increase the economic burden on any 

operator nor increase the scope of the 

AD. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

Our AD differs from the EASA AD as 

follows: 

The EASA AD requires certain actions 

before the next flight, while we require 

the same actions before the next 

hoisting operation. 

The EASA AD sets calendar dates for 

compliance that have since passed, 

while we set compliance based on hours 

time-in-service. 

The EASA AD misidentifies the 

Eurocopter SA330J service bulletin 

number and paragraph number in its 

required actions for Model SA330J 

helicopters. This AD requires 

compliance with paragraph 2.B.4 of 

Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service 

Bulletin No. 25.39, Revision 3, dated 

July 6, 2011. 

Related Service Information 

Eurocopter issued one Emergency 

Alert Service Bulletin (EASB), Revision 

3, dated July 6, 2011, with three 

different numbers. EASB No. 25.02.08 is 

for civil and military Model AS332- 

series helicopters; EASB No. 25.01.29 is 

for military Model AS532-series 

helicopters; and EASB No. 25.39 is for 

civil and military Model SA330-series 

helicopters. The EASB originally 

provided instructions to prevent the 

main hydraulic hoist cable from 

becoming jammed and damaged in the 

fixed fitting of the hoist beam lower 

fitting. The revisions add further 

instructions and expand the effectivity 

to more helicopters and helicopter 

equipment configurations. The revisions 

also extend some compliance deadlines, 

and revise some instructions to account 

for improved installation procedures. 

After further investigation, the most 

recent revisions remove some helicopter 

models from the list of applicable 

helicopters. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 20 

helicopters of U.S. Registry and that 

work hours average $85 an hour. Based 

on these estimates, we expect the 

following costs: 

• The cost for installing and removing 

placards is minimal. 

• Disabling the hoist pyrotechnic 

shear function requires 1 work-hour. No 

parts are needed for a cost of $85 per 

helicopter, $1,700 for the U.S. fleet. 

• Installation of the hoist beam lower 

fitting protector for Model AS332 

helicopters without a right hand (RH) 

sliding door and without a short 

footstep requires 6 work-hours for a 

labor cost of $510 per helicopter. Parts 

cost $4,760 for a total cost of $5,270 per 

helicopter. 

• Installation of the hoist beam lower 

fitting protector and short footstep with 

lower side protector for Model AS332 

helicopters without a RH sliding door 

and with a short footstep requires 12 

work-hours for a labor cost of $1020 per 

helicopter. Parts cost $26,891 for a total 

cost of $27,911 per helicopter. 

• Installation of the hoist beam 

protector for Model AS332 helicopters 

with a RH sliding door requires 3 workhours for a labor cost of $255 per 

helicopter. Parts cost $20,858 for a total 

cost of $21,113 per helicopter. 

• Installation of the hoist beam 

protector for Model SA330J helicopters 

requires 3 work-hours for a labor cost of 

$255 per helicopter. Parts cost $4,774 

for a total cost of $5,029 per helicopter. 

• Enabling the hoist pyrotechnic 

shear function requires 1 work-hour. No 

parts are needed for a cost of $85 per 

helicopter. 

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 

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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 47 / Tuesday, March 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 13523 

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 

■ 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): 

2014–05–15 Airbus Helicopters (Type 

Certificate Previously Held by 

Eurocopter France): Amendment 39– 

17788; Docket No. FAA–2013–0826; 

Directorate Identifier 2011–SW–046–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

(1) This AD applies to the following 

helicopters, certificated in any category: 

(i) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332 L1, and 

AS332 L2 helicopters with a hoist beam, Part 

Number (P/N) 330A87–2345–00, –01, –02, 

–03, –04, –05, or –06, installed with a single 

or double hoist plate; and 

(ii) Model SA330J helicopters with a hoist 

beam, P/N 330A87–2345–00, –01, –02, –03, 

–04, –05, or –06, installed with a single hoist 

plate. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

The unsafe condition is defined as hoist 

cable jamming and subsequent cable failure, 

which could result in injuries or damage to 

the helicopter. 

(c) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective April 15, 2014. 

(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) Before the next hoist operation: 

(i) For all helicopters, install a placard in 

full view of the hoist operator that states: IN 

CASE OF CABLE JAM AGAINST STRUT DO 

NOT ATTEMPT TO RAISE OR LOWER 

LOAD. 

(ii) For helicopters with a hoist control 

electrical harness routed at the base of the 

hoist supporting strut: 

(A) Disable the hoist pyrotechnic shear 

function. 

(B) Install a placard on the instrument 

panel in full view of the flight crew that 

states: HOIST PYROTECHNIC SHEAR 

FUNCTION DISABLED. 

(C) Install a placard in full view of the 

hoist operator that states: HOIST 

PYROTECHNIC SHEAR FUNCTION 

DISABLED. IN CASE OF NECESSITY, CUT 

THE HOIST CABLE WITH THE SHEARS 

LOCATED IN THE CABIN. 

(iii) For helicopters listed in paragraph 

(a)(1)(i) of this AD with a tray-mounted 

double hoist installed with the back-up 

electrical hoist power supply harness routed 

at the base of the hoist supporting strut, do 

one of the following: 

(A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting 

protector in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

2.B.2.b of Eurocopter Emergency Alert 

Service Bulletin No. 25.02.08, Revision 3, 

dated July 6, 2011 (EASB No. 25.02.08), and 

if a short footstep, P/N 332P21–9000–00 or 

332P21–2052–01, is installed, also install the 

short footstep with lower side protector in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.c.2, of EASB 

No. 25.02.08; or 

(B) Install two placards, one in full view 

of the flight crew and one in full view of the 

hoist operator, that state: IN-FLIGHT 

OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS 

PROHIBITED. 

(2) Within 60 hours time-in-service: 

(i) For helicopters listed in paragraph 

(a)(1)(i) of this AD without a tray-mounted 

double hoist installed with the back-up 

electrical hoist power supply harness routed 

at the base of the hoist supporting strut and 

without a right hand sliding door, P/N 

332A22–1165–01, installed, do one of the 

following: 

(A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting 

protecter in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

2.B.2.b, of EASB No. 25.02.08 and if a short 

footstep, P/N 332P21–9000–00 or 332P21– 

2052–01, is installed, also install the short 

footstep with lower side protector in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.c.2, of EASB 

No. 25.02.08; or 

(B) Install two placards, one in full view 

of the flight crew and one in full view of the 

hoist operator, that state: IN-FLIGHT 

OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS 

PROHIBITED. 

(ii) For helicopters listed in paragraph 

(a)(1)(i) of this AD with a right hand sliding 

door, P/N 332A22–1165–01, installed, do one 

of the following: 

(A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting 

protector in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

2.B.5, of EASB No. 25.02.08; or 

(B) Install two placards, one in full view 

of the flight crew and one in full view of the 

hoist operator, that state: IN-FLIGHT 

OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS 

PROHIBITED. 

(iii) For Model SA330J helicopters, do one 

of the following: 

(A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting 

protector in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

2.B.4, of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service 

Bulletin No. 25.39, Revision 3, dated July 6, 

2011; or 

(B) Install two placards, one in full view 

of the flight crew and one in full view of the 

hoist operator, that state: IN-FLIGHT 

OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS 

PROHIBITED. 

(3) For any helicopter that has been 

modified per paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(A), 

(e)(2)(i)(A), (e)(2)(ii)(A), or (e)(2)(iii)(A) of this 

AD, do the following before the next hoist 

operation: 

(i) Re-establish the hoist pyrotechnic shear 

function if disabled per paragraph 

(e)(1)(ii)(A) of this AD. 

(ii) Remove any placards if installed as 

required by paragraph (e)(1)(i), (e)(1)(ii)(B), 

(e)(1)(ii)(C), (e)(1)(iii)(B), (e)(2)(i)(B), 

(e)(2)(ii)(B), or (e)(2)(iii)(B) 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: Robert Grant, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 

Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 

telephone 817–222–5110; email 

robert.grant@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 

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13524 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 47 / Tuesday, March 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 

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 (EASA) AD 

No. 2009–0271R1, dated July 8, 2011. You 

may view the EASA AD on the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 

FAA–2013–0826. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings. 

(i) 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) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service 

Bulletin No. 25.02.08, Revision 3, dated July 

6, 2011. 

(ii) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service 

Bulletin No. 25.39, Revision 3, dated July 6, 

2011. 

Note 1 to paragraph (i)(2): Eurocopter 

Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 

25.02.08 and Eurocopter EASB No. 25.39, 

both Revision 3, and both dated July 6, 2011, 

are co-published as one document along with 

Eurocopter EASB No. 25.01.29, Revision 3, 

dated July 6, 2011, which is not incorporated 

by reference in this AD. 

(3) For Eurocopter service information 

identified in this AD, contact Airbus 

Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, 

Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 

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

3775; or at http://www.airbus

helicopters.com/techpub. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

(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 Fort Worth, Texas, on February 

26, 2014. 

Bruce E. Cain, 

Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–04724 Filed 3–10–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0573; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–SW–042–AD; Amendment 

39–17781; AD 2014–05–08] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters (Type Certificate 

Previously Held by Eurocopter France) 

(Airbus Helicopters) 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L1 

helicopters. This AD requires replacing 

the rivets on the left-hand (LH) and 

right-hand (RH) Y350 longitudinal 

beams (longitudinal beams Y350). This 

AD was prompted by a report that nonconforming rivets had been installed on 

an AS332 helicopter during a 

production modification. The actions of 

this AD are intended to prevent failure 

of the longitudinal beams Y350 and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: This AD is effective April 15, 

2014. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain document listed in this AD 

as of April 15, 2014. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Airbus 

Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, 

Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 

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

(972) 641–3775; or at http://

www.airbushelicopters.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. 

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, the foreign 

authority’s AD, any incorporated-byreference 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 3, 2013 at 78 FR 40072, the 

Federal Register published our notice of 

proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which 

proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 

adding an AD that would apply to 

certain serial-numbered Eurocopter 

(now Airbus Helicopters) Model 

AS332C1 and AS332L1 helicopters. The 

NPRM proposed to require replacing the 

non-conforming 3.2 mm rivets, partnumber (P/N) 212 15DC 3200J, on the 

longitudinal beams Y350 with airworthy 

4.8 mm rivets, P/N 212 15DC 4800J. The 

proposed requirements were intended to 

prevent failure of the longitudinal 

beams Y350 and subsequent loss of 

control of the helicopter. 

The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 

2012–0046–E, dated March 21, 2012 

(EAD 2012–0046–E), issued by the 

European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, to correct an unsafe condition 

for Model AS332C1 and AS332L1 

helicopters. EASA advises that an 

AS332 helicopter was found on the 

production line with non-conforming 

rivets installed on the RH and LH 

longitudinal beams Y350 of the bottom 

structure of the fuselage, between 

sections X4780 and X5295. According to 

EASA, the investigation revealed that a 

limited number of helicopters were 

documented as receiving a production 

modification requiring the replacement 

of certain 3.2 mm rivets with 4.8 mm 

rivets, but the actual replacement of the 

rivets had not been performed. EASA 

states that this condition leads to 

significant reduction in the safety 

margins during sling operations and 

may cause failure of the web/flange 

assembly connections of the 

longitudinal beams Y350, possibly 

resulting in loss of control of the 

helicopter. For these reasons, EASA 

issued EAD 2012–0046–E, which, 

pending inspection of the helicopter 

beams Y350 and replacement of the 

affected rivets, prohibits sling 

operations or limits the 3-ton sling to 

external loads of 2.28 tons or less. 

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