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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18965-18967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7538]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0338; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-51-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter France Model SA341G helicopters. This proposed AD is 
prompted by an analysis and tests performed by the manufacturer that 
indicate that the life limit of the rotating star should be 12,000 
hours time-in-service (TIS). The proposed actions are intended to 
prevent failure of the

[[Page 18966]]

rotating star and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 29, 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 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 Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
aviation authority for France, has issued French AD No. F-2004-070, 
dated May 26, 2004, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter 
France Model SA 341/342 helicopters. The DGAC advises that they issued 
the AD to require a new service life limit of 12,000 flight hours for 
the rotating star, part number (P/N) 341A31.4116.21, installed on Model 
SA341G helicopters.

FAA's Determination

    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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require establishing a retirement life of 
12,000 hours TIS for the rotating star, P/N 341A31.4116.21.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 21 helicopters of 
U.S. registry and the proposed actions would take approximately 6 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish at an average labor rate of $85 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $6,000. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $6,510 to replace the rotating star on each 
helicopter, or $136,710 for the entire U.S. 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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
Airworthiness Directive (AD):

Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2012-0338; Directorate Identifier 
2009-SW-51-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model SA341G helicopters, with rotating star, 
part number

[[Page 18967]]

(P/N) 341A31.4116.21 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a reduced service life 
of the rotating star. This condition could result in failure of the 
rotating star and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished 
previously.

(d) Required Actions

    (1) Before further flight, remove any rotating star, part number 
341A31.4116.21, with 12,000 or more hours time-in-service (TIS), and 
replace it with an airworthy rotating star with less than 12,000 
hours TIS.
    (2) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by reducing the service 
life of the main rotor rotating star from unlimited hours TIS to 
12,000 hours TIS.

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (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, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email gary.b.roach@faa.gov.
    (2) For operations conducted under a Part 119 operating 
certificate or under 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.

(f) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale de 
l'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. F-2004-070, dated May 26, 2004.

(g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220: Main Rotor 
Head.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 20, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-7538 Filed 3-28-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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