Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters, 5994-5996 [2012-2418]
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5994
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December
28, 2011.
M. Monica Merritt,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–1118 Filed 2–6–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2012–0086; Directorate
Identifier 2011–SW–045–AD; Amendment
39–16936; AD 2012–02–13]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter
France Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Eurocopter France EC130B4 helicopters
that have not had Eurocopter
Modification 073880 incorporated. This
AD is prompted by several reports of
cracks in the tailboom/Fenestron
junction frame, which could result in
structural failure of the tail boom,
resulting in detachment of the Fenestron
(tail rotor) and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter. We are issuing
this AD to correct the unsafe condition
on these helicopters.
DATES: This AD becomes effective
February 22, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain documents listed in this AD
as of February 22, 2012.
We must receive comments on this
AD by April 9, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to
https://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
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:59 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
at https://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
economic evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations
Office (telephone (800) 647–5227) 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 https://
www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may
review copies of 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: Jim
Grigg, Manager, FAA, Rotorcraft
Directorate, Safety Management Group,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX
76137, telephone (817) 222–5126, email:
jim.grigg@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
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2011–
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
0116, dated July 6, 2011 (AD 2011–
0116) to correct an unsafe condition for
Eurocopter EC 130 B4 helicopters.
EASA advises of several reports of
cracks in the tailboom/Fenestron
junction frame. Prompted by these
reports, Eurocopter published
Information Notice No. 2167–I–53
(2167–I–53). Since publication of 2167–
I–53, new cases of cracks in the
tailboom/Fenestron junction frame have
been reported. Examination of the parts
revealed the cracks were longer than the
previously reported cracks and started
to develop in the plane of the rivet head
countersink on the right hand (RH) side
of the Fenestron and spread to the web
of the frame. This condition, if not
corrected, could lead to structural
failure, which could result in Fenestron
detachment and consequent loss of
control of the helicopter. AD 2011–0116
requires repetitive inspections of the
affected area and depending on
findings, accomplishing corrective
actions.
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, their
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 is likely to exist or
develop on other helicopters of these
same type designs.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Eurocopter Emergency
Alert Service Bulletin 53A019, dated
June 14, 2011 (EASB). The EASB
describes procedures for inspecting the
RH side of the tailboom/Fenestron
junction frame from the inside and
outside for cracks. If a crack is present,
the EASB requires contacting
Eurocopter for approved repair
instructions.
AD Requirements
This AD requires compliance with
specified portions of the manufacturer’s
service bulletin, except as discussed
under ‘‘Differences Between this AD
and the EASA AD.’’
Differences Between This AD and the
EASA AD
The EASA AD allows for flights for a
certain period of time with known
cracks. Except for limited ferry flights,
this AD does not permit operations with
known cracks. The EASA AD allows for
an initial inspection which does not
E:\FR\FM\07FER1.SGM
07FER1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
require stripping the paint, and then
stripping the paint prior to inspection
within 110 flight hours. This AD
mandates stripping the paint as part of
the initial inspection.
that is likely to exist or develop on
products identified in this rulemaking
action.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect
109 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur
the following costs in order to comply
with this AD. To inspect the tailboom/
Fenestron junction frame for a crack
will require 1 work-hour at an average
labor cost of $85 per hour, for a total
cost per inspection cycle of $85 per
helicopter and $9,265 for the entire
fleet. To replace a tailboom with an
airworthy tailboom will require 50
work-hours and a parts cost of $60,000,
for a total cost per helicopter of $64,250.
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.
We prepared an economic evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with RULES
FAA’s Justification and Determination
of the Effective Date
These helicopters are used primarily
by air tour and helicopter Emergency
medical services. Helicopters used in
these industries average in excess of 100
hours TIS per month. The cracks are in
a primary structure of the helicopter
that may prevent further safe flight.
Therefore, we find that the risk to the
flying public justifies waiving notice
and comment prior to the adoption of
this rule because the required corrective
actions must be accomplished within 10
hours TIS, a very short time period
based on the average flight-hour
utilization rate of these helicopters.
Since an unsafe condition exists that
requires the immediate adoption of this
AD, we determined that notice and
opportunity for public comment before
issuing this AD are impracticable and
that good cause exists for making this
amendment effective in less than 30
days.
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
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15:59 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
Regulatory Findings
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 AD:
■
2012–02–13 Eurocopter France:
Amendment 39–16936; Docket No.
FAA–2012–0086; Directorate Identifier
2011–SW–045–AD.
(a) Applicability. This AD applies to Model
EC130B4 helicopters that do not have
Eurocopter Modification (MOD) 073880
incorporated, all serial numbers, certificated
in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition. This AD defines the
unsafe condition as cracks on the tailboom/
Fenestron junction frame. This condition
could result in structural failure of the
tailboom, detachment of the Fenestron, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
5995
(c) Effective Date. This airworthiness
directive (AD) becomes effective February 22,
2012.
(d) Compliance. You are responsible for
performing each action required by this AD
within the specified compliance time unless
accomplished previously.
(e) Corrective Actions.
(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS):
(i) Inspect the right hand side of the
tailboom/Fenestron junction frame for cracks
in the web from the inside as depicted in
Details C and D of Figure 2 of Eurocopter
Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 53A019,
dated June 14, 2011 (EASB).
(ii) Strip the paint on the areas of the right
hand side of the tailboom/Fenestron junction
frame depicted in Detail E of Figure 3 of the
EASB. Apply a coat of primer to the stripped
area. Apply varnish to the stripped area.
(iii) Inspect the stripped area of the frame
for cracks from the outside.
(2) Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50
hours TIS, inspect the frame by following the
inspection requirements of paragraphs (1)(i)
and (1)(iii) of this AD.
(3) If there is a crack, before further flight,
replace the tailboom with an airworthy
tailboom that incorporates Eurocopter MOD
073880.
(4) After the effective date of this AD, do
not install a tailboom that does not
incorporate Eurocopter MOD 073880 on any
helicopter.
(f) Special flight permits. Special flight
permits may be issued for up to 2 hours TIS
to ferry the helicopter to a repair facility if
the crack does not extend into the web of the
tailboom/Fenestron junction frame.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs).
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: Jim Grigg,
Manager, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety
Management Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Fort Worth, TX 76137, telephone (817) 222–
5126, email: jim.grigg@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.
(h) Subject. Joint Aircraft System
Component (JASC) Code: 5302: Rotorcraft
Tail Boom.
(i) Additional Information. The subject of
this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency (France) AD No. 2011–0116,
dated July 6, 2011.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference. You
must use the specified portions of Eurocopter
Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 53A019,
dated June 14, 2011, to do the specified
actions required by this AD.
(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 N. Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, TX 75052, telephone (972) 641–0000
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5996
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 7, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
or (800) 232–0323, fax (972) 641–3775, or at
https://www.eurocopter.com/techpub.
(3) You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort
Worth Texas 76137 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.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 23,
2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–2418 Filed 2–6–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2011–1171; Directorate
Identifier 2011–NM–101–AD; Amendment
39–16932; AD 2012–02–09]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
properties that deteriorate with age.
This AD requires reworking certain air
distribution ducts in the ECS. We are
issuing this AD to prevent ignition of
the BMS 8–39 or AMS 3570
polyurethane foam insulation on the
duct assemblies of the ECS due to a
potential electrical arc, which could
start a small fire and lead to a larger fire
that may spread throughout the airplane
through the ECS.
DATES: This AD is effective March 13,
2012.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in the AD
as of March 13, 2012.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data
& Services Management, P. O. Box 3707,
MC 2H–65, Seattle, Washington 98124–
2207; telephone (206) 544–5000,
extension 1; fax (206) 766–5680; email
me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet
https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You
may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington.
For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (425) 227–
1221.
Examining the AD Docket
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
The Boeing Company Model 737–100,
–200, –200C, and –300 series airplanes.
This AD was prompted by a report from
the airplane manufacturer that airplanes
were assembled with air distribution
ducts in the environmental control
system (ECS) wrapped with Boeing
Material Specification (BMS) 8–39 or
Aeronautical Materials Specifications
(AMS) 3570 polyurethane foam
insulation, a material with fire-retardant
SUMMARY:
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: (800) 647–5527)
is Document Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kimberly A. DeVoe, Aerospace
Engineer, Cabin Safety and
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM–
150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057–3356; phone: (425)
917–6495; fax: (425) 917–6590; email:
Kimberly.Devoe@faa.gov.
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 published in the Federal
Register on November 7, 2011 (76 FR
68666). That NPRM proposed to require
reworking certain air distribution ducts
in the ECS.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. We
have considered the comments received.
Boeing supports the NPRM (76 FR
68666, November 7, 2011).
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comments received, and
determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD
as proposed—except for minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these
minor changes:
• Are consistent with the intent that
was proposed in the NPRM (76 FR
68666, November 7, 2011) for correcting
the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden
upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 68666,
November 7, 2011).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 292
airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to
comply with this AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Duct assembly rework/part marking ...................
250 work-hours × $85 per hour = $21,250 ........
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD 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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:59 Feb 06, 2012
Jkt 226001
Parts cost
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
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
$3,545
Cost per
product
$24,795
Cost on U.S.
operators
$7,240,140
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
E:\FR\FM\07FER1.SGM
07FER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5994-5996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2418]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0086; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-045-AD;
Amendment 39-16936; AD 2012-02-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Eurocopter France EC130B4 helicopters that have not had Eurocopter
Modification 073880 incorporated. This AD is prompted by several
reports of cracks in the tailboom/Fenestron junction frame, which could
result in structural failure of the tail boom, resulting in detachment
of the Fenestron (tail rotor) and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on
these helicopters.
DATES: This AD becomes effective February 22, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of February 22,
2012.
We must receive comments on this AD by April 9, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 https://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 economic
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 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
https://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review copies of 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: Jim Grigg, Manager, FAA, Rotorcraft
Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
TX 76137, telephone (817) 222-5126, email: jim.grigg@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
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
No. 2011-0116, dated July 6, 2011 (AD 2011-0116) to correct an unsafe
condition for Eurocopter EC 130 B4 helicopters. EASA advises of several
reports of cracks in the tailboom/Fenestron junction frame. Prompted by
these reports, Eurocopter published Information Notice No. 2167-I-53
(2167-I-53). Since publication of 2167-I-53, new cases of cracks in the
tailboom/Fenestron junction frame have been reported. Examination of
the parts revealed the cracks were longer than the previously reported
cracks and started to develop in the plane of the rivet head
countersink on the right hand (RH) side of the Fenestron and spread to
the web of the frame. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to
structural failure, which could result in Fenestron detachment and
consequent loss of control of the helicopter. AD 2011-0116 requires
repetitive inspections of the affected area and depending on findings,
accomplishing corrective actions.
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, their 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 is
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type
designs.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 53A019,
dated June 14, 2011 (EASB). The EASB describes procedures for
inspecting the RH side of the tailboom/Fenestron junction frame from
the inside and outside for cracks. If a crack is present, the EASB
requires contacting Eurocopter for approved repair instructions.
AD Requirements
This AD requires compliance with specified portions of the
manufacturer's service bulletin, except as discussed under
``Differences Between this AD and the EASA AD.''
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD allows for flights for a certain period of time with
known cracks. Except for limited ferry flights, this AD does not permit
operations with known cracks. The EASA AD allows for an initial
inspection which does not
[[Page 5995]]
require stripping the paint, and then stripping the paint prior to
inspection within 110 flight hours. This AD mandates stripping the
paint as part of the initial inspection.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 109 helicopters of U.S.
Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this AD. To inspect the tailboom/Fenestron junction
frame for a crack will require 1 work-hour at an average labor cost of
$85 per hour, for a total cost per inspection cycle of $85 per
helicopter and $9,265 for the entire fleet. To replace a tailboom with
an airworthy tailboom will require 50 work-hours and a parts cost of
$60,000, for a total cost per helicopter of $64,250.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
These helicopters are used primarily by air tour and helicopter
Emergency medical services. Helicopters used in these industries
average in excess of 100 hours TIS per month. The cracks are in a
primary structure of the helicopter that may prevent further safe
flight. Therefore, we find that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to the adoption of this rule because
the required corrective actions must be accomplished within 10 hours
TIS, a very short time period based on the average flight-hour
utilization rate of these helicopters. Since an unsafe condition exists
that requires the immediate adoption of this AD, we determined that
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.
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.
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 AD:
2012-02-13 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-16936; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0086; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-045-AD.
(a) Applicability. This AD applies to Model EC130B4 helicopters
that do not have Eurocopter Modification (MOD) 073880 incorporated,
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition. This AD defines the unsafe condition as
cracks on the tailboom/Fenestron junction frame. This condition
could result in structural failure of the tailboom, detachment of
the Fenestron, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date. This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes
effective February 22, 2012.
(d) Compliance. You are responsible for performing each action
required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless
accomplished previously.
(e) Corrective Actions.
(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS):
(i) Inspect the right hand side of the tailboom/Fenestron
junction frame for cracks in the web from the inside as depicted in
Details C and D of Figure 2 of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service
Bulletin 53A019, dated June 14, 2011 (EASB).
(ii) Strip the paint on the areas of the right hand side of the
tailboom/Fenestron junction frame depicted in Detail E of Figure 3
of the EASB. Apply a coat of primer to the stripped area. Apply
varnish to the stripped area.
(iii) Inspect the stripped area of the frame for cracks from the
outside.
(2) Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, inspect
the frame by following the inspection requirements of paragraphs
(1)(i) and (1)(iii) of this AD.
(3) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the
tailboom with an airworthy tailboom that incorporates Eurocopter MOD
073880.
(4) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a
tailboom that does not incorporate Eurocopter MOD 073880 on any
helicopter.
(f) Special flight permits. Special flight permits may be issued
for up to 2 hours TIS to ferry the helicopter to a repair facility
if the crack does not extend into the web of the tailboom/Fenestron
junction frame.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs).
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Jim Grigg, Manager, FAA,
Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Fort Worth, TX 76137, telephone (817) 222-5126, email:
jim.grigg@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.
(h) Subject. Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 5302:
Rotorcraft Tail Boom.
(i) Additional Information. The subject of this AD is addressed
in European Aviation Safety Agency (France) AD No. 2011-0116, dated
July 6, 2011.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference. You must use the
specified portions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin
53A019, dated June 14, 2011, to do the specified actions required by
this AD.
(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 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie,
TX 75052, telephone (972) 641-0000
[[Page 5996]]
or (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3775, or at https://www.eurocopter.com/techpub.
(3) You may review copies of the referenced service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth Texas 76137 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.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 23, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-2418 Filed 2-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
