Document ID: FAA-2013-0522-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Eurocopter France Helicopters
Posted Date: 2013-07-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42406-42409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16682]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0522; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-018-AD; 
Amendment 39-17487; AD 2013-10-51]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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[[Page 42407]]

SUMMARY: We are publishing 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. This AD requires, before further flight, 
determining whether a single hydraulic main or tail rotor servo-control 
is installed on your helicopter. If a certain servo-control is 
installed, before the further flight, this AD requires replacing that 
servo-control. This AD was prompted by the discovery of excessive axial 
play detected on bearings installed on certain single hydraulic main 
and tail rotor servo-controls (servo-control). The excessive play could 
cause the distributor slide valve to jam in its sleeve. This condition 
could result in jamming the hydraulic flight controls, necessitating 
that the pilot cut off hydraulic power. This action would increase the 
pilot's workload, resulting in possible loss of helicopter control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective to all persons July 31, 2013, except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
No. 2013-10-51, issued on May 9, 2013, which contains the requirements 
of this AD.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of July 31, 2013.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 16, 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 AD, the European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) 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 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: Michael Hemann, Transportaton Safety 
Analyst, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
michael.hemann@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, 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 resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, 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 them 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 rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    On May 9, 2013, we issued Emergency AD 2013-10-51 (Emergency AD), 
which requires, before further flight, determining whether a certain 
servo-control is installed on your helicopter. If a certain servo-
control is installed, before the further flight, the Emergency AD 
requires replacing that servo-control with an airworthy servo-control. 
The Emergency AD was prompted by AD No. 2013-0095-E, dated April 16, 
2013, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for the 
helicopters listed in the first paragraph of this section. EASA advises 
that for helicopters with single hydraulic main and tail servo-
controls, this condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
a friction point in the flight controls and increase the pilot 
workload. The pilot would consequently need to cut off the hydraulic 
power and follow the procedures specified in the applicable Section 3 
of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual.
    Many of the non-compliant servo-controls were installed by the 
manufacturer under certain part and serial numbers. Others were 
repaired or overhauled from September 27, 2012, through January 30, 
2013, by UTC Aerospace Systems in Monroe, North Carolina. Since we 
issued the Emergency AD, we have discovered that the servo-control's 
component history card or equivalent record may list ``Goodrich 
Corporation'' as the repair and overhaul facility, instead of ``UTC 
Aerospace Systems,'' as United Technologies Corporation formed UTC 
Aerospace Systems in 2012 after acquiring Goodrich Corporation. We have 
added this information to the Required Actions section of this AD. 
Also, the language in the Alternative Methods of Compliance section of 
the Emergency AD did not include the proper introductory sentence, so 
we have added that sentence in this AD. These changes do not change the 
scope or increase the burden from those in the Emergency AD.

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.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) 
with four numbers, all dated April 15, 2013. EASB No. 67.00.60 is for 
Eurocopter Models AS350B, AS350BA, AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, 
AS350D, and military helicopter Model AS350L1; EASB 67.00.36 is for 
military helicopter

[[Page 42408]]

Models AS550A2, AS550C2, AS550C3, and AS550U2; EASB 67.00.41 is for 
Models AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP; and EASB 
67.00.27 is for military helicopter Models AS555AF, AS555AN, AS555SN, 
AS555UF, and AS555UN. Models AS350C and AS350D1 are also type 
certificated in the United States but were not listed in the EASB. 
Model AS350BB is not type certificated in the United States. The EASB 
states that during acceptance tests of a servo-control, the supplier 
noticed that the servo-control input lever bearing's play value 
exceeded the specified value. This condition leads to excessive 
misalignment between the lever and the distributor slide, the EASB 
reports. This condition could create a ``friction point'' on the flight 
controls. To eliminate the risk of this friction point appearing on the 
flight controls, Eurocopter specifies that all servo-controls with a 
non-compliant input lever bearing be replaced and returned to the 
manufacturer.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, before further flight, inspecting the servo-
control's component history card or equivalent record to determine if 
it has a certain part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) or if the 
servo-control was repaired or overhauled from September 27, 2012, 
through January 30, 2013, by UTC Aerospace Systems or Goodrich 
Corporation in Monroe, North Carolina.
    If either condition exists, this AD requires inspecting the servo-
control's identification plate to determine if it has the letter ``B.'' 
If it has the letter ``B,'' no further action is required.
    If the identification plate has no letter ``B,'' this AD requires 
inspecting all sides of the external race of the servo-control's 
bearing to determine if it has any visible marking. If there is a 
marking, before further flight, this AD requires replacing the servo-
control with an airworthy servo-control.
    If there is no marking, this AD requires inspecting the bearing's 
sealing flange to determine if it is marked with ``RWG Germany 60-
5593.'' If it is marked with ``RWG Germany 60-5593,'' no further action 
is required.
    If the sealing flange has not been marked with ``RWG Germany 60-
5593,'' before further flight, this AD requires replacing the servo-
control with an airworthy servo-control.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    We require, before further flight, inspecting the servo-control's 
component history card or equivalent record to determine if it has a 
certain P/N and S/N; or if it was repaired or overhauled from September 
27, 2012, through January 30, 2013, by UTC Aerospace Systems or 
Goodrich Corporation in Monroe, North Carolina. EASA requires within 10 
flight hours or 10 days, whichever occurs first, verifying whether a 
certain bearing is fitted in the servo-control.
    We require, before further flight, replacing a non-airworthy servo-
control with an airworthy servo-control. EASA requires replacing a non-
airworthy servo-control with an airworthy servo-control within 50 
flight hours or 120 days, whichever comes first, after checking the 
servo-control for ``free-travel.'' If a ``friction point'' is detected, 
EASA requires replacing the servo-control with an airworthy servo-
control before further flight.

 Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 937 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on these estimates, 
we expect the following costs:
    Inspecting the single hydraulic main and tail servo-control's 
component history card or equivalent record requires minimal labor 
costs and no parts. The per-helicopter and fleet costs are minimal.
    Determining whether the identification plate is marked with a ``B'' 
requires 1 work-hour and no parts. Labor costs total $85 per 
helicopter.
    Inspecting the servo-control's bearing to determine if it is non-
conforming requires 3 work-hours and no parts. Labor costs total $255 
per helicopter.
    Replacing the servo-control with an airworthy servo-control 
requires 3 or 5 work hours, depending on what servo-control is being 
replaced. Parts cost $10,461 or $10,561, also depending on the servo-
control being replaced. Labor costs are $255 or $425 for total per-
helicopter cost of $10,716 or $10,986.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting 
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions 
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that 
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment 
prior to the adoption of this rule because the previously described 
unsafe condition can adversely affect the controllability of the 
helicopter and the required corrective actions must be accomplished 
before further flight.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment before issuing this AD 
were impracticable and contrary to the public interest and good cause 
existed for making Emergency AD 2013-10-51 effective immediately on May 
9, 2013 to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified 
Eurocopter France model helicopters. These conditions still exist and 
the Emergency AD is hereby published, with minor changes, in the 
Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to all 
persons.

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 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, 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.

[[Page 42409]]

    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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2013-10-51 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-17487; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0522; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-018-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, 
AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as excessive play that 
could cause the distributor slide valve to jam in its sleeve. This 
condition could result in jamming of the hydraulic flight controls, 
necessitating that the pilot cut off hydraulic power. This action 
would increase the pilot's workload, resulting in possible loss of 
helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 31, 2013 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency 
AD No. 2013-10-51, issued on May 9, 2013, which contains the 
requirements of this AD.

(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 further flight, inspect the single hydraulic main and 
tail servo-control's (servo-control) component history card or 
equivalent record to determine if it has a part number (P/N) and 
serial number (S/N) listed in the Appendix, paragraph 4.A, of 
Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 67.00.60 (EASB No. 
67.00.60) or No. 67.00.41 (EASB No. 67.00.41), both dated April 15, 
2013, as appropriate for your model helicopter; or was repaired or 
overhauled from September 27, 2012, through January 30, 2013, by UTC 
Aerospace Systems or Goodrich Corporation in Monroe, North Carolina.
    (2) If the servo-control does have a P/N and S/N listed in 
paragraph 4.A of EASB No. 67.00.60 or EASB No. 67.00.41, as 
appropriate for your model helicopter, or if the servo-control was 
repaired or installed from September 27, 2012, through January 30, 
2013, by UTC Aerospace Systems or Goodrich Corporation in Monroe, 
North Carolina, inspect the servo-control to determine whether the 
identification plate is marked with a ``B'' as shown in the 
Appendix, paragraph 4.B, of EASB No. 67.00.60 or EASB No. 67.00.41, 
as appropriate for your model helicopter. If it is marked with a 
``B,'' no further action is required.
    (3) If the identification plate is not marked with a ``B,'' 
inspect all sides of the external race of the servo-control's 
bearing to determine if it has any marking shown as (b) in Detail A 
of Figure 1 of EASB No. 67.00.60 or EASB No. 67.00.41, as 
appropriate for your model helicopter. If there is any marking, 
before further flight, replace the servo-control with an airworthy 
servo-control.
    (4) If there is no marking on the sides of the external race, 
inspect each bearing sealing flange to determine if it is marked 
with ``RWG Germany 60-5593'' as shown as (d) in Detail C of Figure 2 
of EASB No. 67.00.60 or EASB No. 67.00.41, as appropriate for your 
model helicopter. If there is ``RWG Germany 60-5593'' marking at 
least partially visible on a flange of the bearing, no further 
action is required.
    (5) If there is no ``RWG Germany 60-5593'' marking at least 
partially visible on a flange of the bearing, before further flight, 
replace the servo-control with an airworthy servo-control.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits may be permitted only for taking a 
helicopter to a repair station to meet the requirements of this AD.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Michael Hemann, Transportation 
Safety Analyst, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 
222-5110; email michael.hemann@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. 2013-0095-E, dated April 16, 2013. You 
may view the EASA AD at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0522.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6730, Rotorcraft 
Servo System.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 EASB No. 67.00.60, dated April 15, 2013.
    (ii) Eurocopter EASB No. 67.00.41, dated April 15, 2013.

    Note 1 to paragraph (j)(2): Eurocopter EASB No. 67.00.60, dated 
April 15, 2013, and Eurocopter EASB No. 67.00.41, dated April 15, 
2013, are co-published as one document along with Eurocopter EASB 
No. 67.00.36, dated April 15, 2013, and Eurocopter EASB No. 
67.00.27, dated April 15, 2013, which are not incorporated by 
reference in this AD.

    (3) For Eurocopter 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.
    (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/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 13, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-16682 Filed 7-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P