Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC130 B4 Helicopters, 13076-13078 [E8-4464]
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13076
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 12, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
described previously. The FAA has
determined that these changes will
neither increase the economic burden
on any operator nor increase the scope
of the AD.
The FAA estimates that this AD will
affect 68 helicopters of U.S. registry.
Modifying and testing the overheat
sensing circuit wiring will take about 1
work hour per helicopter at an average
labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based
on these figures, we estimate the total
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators
to be $5440.
I
Regulatory Findings
I
We have 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 above, I
certify that the 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); and
3. 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. See the AD docket to examine
the economic evaluation.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
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.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:40 Mar 11, 2008
Jkt 214001
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration
amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding
a new airworthiness directive to read as
follows:
I
2008–05–16 Eurocopter France:
Amendment 39–15410; Docket No.
FAA–2007–28228; Directorate Identifier
2006–SW–08–AD.
Applicability: Model EC130 B4 helicopters
not modified per MOD 073572, with the
battery in either the right-hand baggage
compartment or the tailboom, certificated in
any category.
Compliance: Required within 110 hours
time-in-service, unless accomplished
previously.
To correct the connection of the thermal
switch to the cockpit indicator light, to notify
the flight crew of an overheated battery, and
to prevent a thermal runaway of the battery,
an in-flight fire, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter, do the following:
(a) Modify the wiring of the battery
overheat sensing circuit and test the battery
overheat sensing indicator light by following
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph
2.B.1. or 2.B.2., depending on the location of
the battery, of Eurocopter Alert Telex No.
24A001, dated December 20, 2005.
(b) Modifying and testing the battery
overheat sensing circuit by following
paragraph (a) of this AD is terminating action
for the requirements of this AD.
(c) To request a different method of
compliance or a different compliance time
for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR
39.19. Contact the Manager, Rotorcraft
Directorate, FAA, ATTN: Carroll Wright,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and
Policy Group, Fort Worth, Texas 76193–0111,
telephone (817) 222–5120, fax (817) 222–
5961, for information about previously
approved alternative methods of compliance.
(d) Modifying the wiring of the battery
overheat sensing circuit and testing the
battery overheat sensing indicator light shall
be done in accordance with the specified
portions of Eurocopter Alert Telex No.
24A001, dated December 20, 2005. The
Director of the Federal Register approved this
incorporation by reference in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Copies may be obtained from American
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive,
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Grand Prairie, Texas 75053–4005, telephone
(972) 641–3460, fax (972) 641–3527. Copies
may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas or 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: https://www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on
April 16, 2008.
Note: The subject of this AD is addressed
in Direction Generale De L’Aviation Civile
(France) AD No. F–2006–010, dated January
4, 2006.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February
26, 2008.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–4462 Filed 3–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–0056; Directorate
Identifier 2007–SW–06–AD; Amendment 39–
15409; AD 2008–05–15]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter
France Model EC130 B4 Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter France Model EC130 B4
helicopters. This AD results from
mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an
aviation authority of another country to
identify and correct an unsafe condition
on an aviation product. The European
Safety Agency (EASA), the Technical
Agent for France, with which we have
a bilateral agreement, states in the
MCAI:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is
issued following the discovery of several
cases of loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange
attachment of the tail rotor drive center
section shaft.
In one case, this loosening of rivets was
associated with a crack in the tube which
started from a loosened-rivet hole.
These occurrences can lead to failure of the
tail rotor drive center section shaft.
We are issuing this AD to correct the
unsafe condition caused by cracks and
E:\FR\FM\12MRR1.SGM
12MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 12, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange
attachment of the tail rotor and the
unsafe condition caused by the out-ofperpendicularity of the No. 1 bearing.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on
April 16, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in this AD
as of April 16, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov or in Room W12–
140, Docket Operations Office, on the
ground floor of the Department of
Transportation West Building, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
You may get the service information
identified in this AD from American
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum
Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053–4005,
telephone (972) 641–3460, fax (972)
641–3527.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed
Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA,
Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety
Management Group, Fort Worth, Texas
76193–0111, telephone (817) 222–5355,
fax (817) 222–5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new
process for streamlining the issuance of
ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined
process will allow us to adopt MCAI
safety requirements in a more efficient
manner and will reduce safety risks to
the public. This process continues to
follow all FAA AD issuance processes to
meet legal, economic, Administrative
Procedure Act, and Federal Register
requirements. We also continue to meet
our technical decision-making
responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated
products.
This AD references the MCAI and
related service information that we
considered in forming the engineering
basis to correct the unsafe condition.
The AD contains text copied from the
MCAI and for this reason might not
follow our plain language principles.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would
apply to Eurocopter France Model
EC130B3 helicopters. That NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on
October 19, 2007 (72 FR 59229). That
NPRM proposed to correct the unsafe
conditions for the specified model
helicopter. The MCAI states:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:40 Mar 11, 2008
Jkt 214001
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is
issued following the discovery of several
cases of loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange
attachment of the tail rotor drive center
section shaft.
In one case, this loosening of rivets was
associated with a crack in the tube which
started from a loosened-rivet hole.
These occurrences can lead to failure of the
tail rotor drive center section shaft.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. We
received no comments on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the
public. We reviewed the available data
and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD
as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect
68 helicopters of U.S. registry and that
it will take about 1 work-hour per
helicopter to determine if there are any
cracks or loosened rivets in the tube-toflange attachment of the tail rotor drive
center section shaft and to determine if
the No. 1 bearing is out-ofperpendicularity. Also, we estimate that
it will take about 4 work-hours per
helicopter to remove and replace any
nonconforming parts. The average labor
rate is $80 per work-hour. Required
parts will cost about $15,007 per
helicopter if replacing a tail rotor drive
center section shaft is necessary. Based
on these figures, we estimate the cost to
inspect the fleet of helicopters to be
$5,440. Assuming 3 helicopters are
found to have nonconforming parts, we
estimate the costs to replace these parts
to be $45,981, resulting in the total cost
of the AD on U.S. operators to be
$51,421.
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
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
13077
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 above, I
certify this AD:
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); and
3. 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket 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 the NPRM, 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.
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:
I
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new AD:
I
2008–05–15 Eurocopter France:
Amendment 39–15409. Docket No.
FAA–2007–0056; Directorate Identifier
2007–SW–06–AD.
E:\FR\FM\12MRR1.SGM
12MRR1
13078
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 12, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
assure the product is airworthy before it is
returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any
reporting requirement in this AD, under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act,
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
has approved the information collection
requirements and has assigned OMB Control
Number 2120–0056.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD)
becomes effective on April 16, 2008.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model EC130 B4
helicopters, with a tail rotor drive center
section shaft, part number (P/N)
350A340202; and bearing, P/N 593404,
certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is
issued following the discovery of several
cases of loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange
attachment of the tail rotor drive center
section shaft.
In one case, this loosening of rivets was
associated with a crack in the tube which
started from a loosened-rivet hole.
These occurrences can lead to failure of the
tail rotor drive center section shaft.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or
3 months, whichever occurs first, unless
already done, do the following actions.
(1) Inspect for cracks or loosened rivets in
the tube-to-flange attachment of the tail rotor
drive center section shaft and inspect the
perpendicularity of bearing No. 1 in
compliance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., of Eurocopter
Alert Service Bulletin No. 65A002, dated
November 16, 2005 (ASB).
(2) If a crack or loosened rivet is found,
replace the tail rotor drive center section
shaft before further flight.
(3) If the out-of perpendicularity of the
bearing is more than 0.1 mm, apply the
corrective procedure described in the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph
2.B.2., of the ASB.
Related Information
(i) MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) Airworthiness Directive No. F–2005–
190, Revision A, dated November 23, 2005,
contains related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use the specified portions of
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No.
65A002, dated November 16, 2005, to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD
specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
this service information under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact American Eurocopter
Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, Texas 75053–4005, telephone (972)
641–3460, fax (972) 641–3527.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort
Worth, Texas or 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: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/
cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February
14, 2008.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–4464 Filed 3–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Differences Between the FAA AD and the
MCAI
(f) None.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America
(ATA) Code 65, Tail rotor drive—tail rotor
drive shaft.
Federal Aviation Administration
Other Information
(h) The following provisions also apply to
this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management
Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested using the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Ed
Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193–0111, telephone (817)
222–5355, fax (817) 222–5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAAapproved corrective actions. Corrective
actions are considered FAA-approved if they
are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent) if the State of
Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement
with the United States. You are required to
[Docket No. FAA–2007–28665; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–081–AD; Amendment
39–15416; AD 2008–06–04]
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:40 Mar 11, 2008
Jkt 214001
14 CFR Part 39
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model
A300 and A300–600 Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD results
from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI)
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
originated by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct
an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
Three cases of outer deflector panel found
detached or broken during ground inspection
have been reported to Airbus. * * * [A]n
operator has also reported a missing portion
of hinge on one panel. * * * Mishandling or
failure of the small portion of hinge located
inboard of the affected deflector panel is
suspected to be the main cause of the
deflector damage. This can cause
misalignment of the deflector panel followed
by hinge pin migration and possible further
damages to the deflector on flap retraction. If
not corrected, such situation could lead to
the loss of deflector panel and injured people
on the ground.
We are issuing this AD to require
actions to correct the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective April
16, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in this AD
as of April 16, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov or in person at the
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M–30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Stafford, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1622;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would
apply to the specified products. That
NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on July 10, 2007 (72 FR 37477).
That NPRM proposed to correct an
unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
Three cases of outer deflector panel found
detached or broken during ground inspection
have been reported by operators to Airbus.
The affected deflector panel is the most
outboard of the two outer deflectors. In
addition, an operator has also reported a
missing portion of hinge on one panel. The
missing portion of hinge is held to the
structure through one Camloc fastener.
Mishandling or failure of the small portion
of hinge located inboard of the affected
deflector panel is suspected to be the main
cause of the deflector damage.
E:\FR\FM\12MRR1.SGM
12MRR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13076-13078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4464]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0056; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-06-AD;
Amendment 39-15409; AD 2008-05-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC130 B4
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter France Model EC130 B4 helicopters. This AD results from
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The European Safety Agency (EASA),
the Technical Agent for France, with which we have a bilateral
agreement, states in the MCAI:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following the
discovery of several cases of loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange
attachment of the tail rotor drive center section shaft.
In one case, this loosening of rivets was associated with a
crack in the tube which started from a loosened-rivet hole.
These occurrences can lead to failure of the tail rotor drive
center section shaft.
We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition caused by
cracks and
[[Page 13077]]
loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange attachment of the tail rotor and
the unsafe condition caused by the out-of-perpendicularity of the No. 1
bearing.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 16, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 16,
2008.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov or in Room W12-140, Docket Operations Office, on
the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
You may get the service information identified in this AD from
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas
75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, Fort Worth, Texas
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5355, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain language principles.
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Eurocopter France Model
EC130B3 helicopters. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
October 19, 2007 (72 FR 59229). That NPRM proposed to correct the
unsafe conditions for the specified model helicopter. The MCAI states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following the
discovery of several cases of loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange
attachment of the tail rotor drive center section shaft.
In one case, this loosening of rivets was associated with a
crack in the tube which started from a loosened-rivet hole.
These occurrences can lead to failure of the tail rotor drive
center section shaft.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public. We reviewed the available data and determined
that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as
proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 68 helicopters of U.S.
registry and that it will take about 1 work-hour per helicopter to
determine if there are any cracks or loosened rivets in the tube-to-
flange attachment of the tail rotor drive center section shaft and to
determine if the No. 1 bearing is out-of-perpendicularity. Also, we
estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per helicopter to remove
and replace any nonconforming parts. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Required parts will cost about $15,007 per helicopter if
replacing a tail rotor drive center section shaft is necessary. Based
on these figures, we estimate the cost to inspect the fleet of
helicopters to be $5,440. Assuming 3 helicopters are found to have
nonconforming parts, we estimate the costs to replace these parts to be
$45,981, resulting in the total cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be
$51,421.
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 above, I certify this AD:
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); and
3. 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket 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 the NPRM, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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 AD:
2008-05-15 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-15409. Docket No. FAA-
2007-0056; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-06-AD.
[[Page 13078]]
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on April
16, 2008.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model EC130 B4 helicopters, with a tail
rotor drive center section shaft, part number (P/N) 350A340202; and
bearing, P/N 593404, certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following the
discovery of several cases of loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange
attachment of the tail rotor drive center section shaft.
In one case, this loosening of rivets was associated with a
crack in the tube which started from a loosened-rivet hole.
These occurrences can lead to failure of the tail rotor drive
center section shaft.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever
occurs first, unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Inspect for cracks or loosened rivets in the tube-to-flange
attachment of the tail rotor drive center section shaft and inspect
the perpendicularity of bearing No. 1 in compliance with the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., of Eurocopter Alert
Service Bulletin No. 65A002, dated November 16, 2005 (ASB).
(2) If a crack or loosened rivet is found, replace the tail
rotor drive center section shaft before further flight.
(3) If the out-of perpendicularity of the bearing is more than
0.1 mm, apply the corrective procedure described in the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., of the ASB.
Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI
(f) None.
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 65, Tail
rotor drive--tail rotor drive shaft.
Other Information
(h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Ed
Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111,
telephone (817) 222-5355, fax (817) 222-5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAA-approved corrective actions.
Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved
by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent) if the
State of Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement with the
United States. You are required to assure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(i) MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness
Directive No. F-2005-190, Revision A, dated November 23, 2005,
contains related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use the specified portions of Eurocopter Alert
Service Bulletin No. 65A002, dated November 16, 2005, to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie,
Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas or 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: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/
cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 14, 2008.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-4464 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
