Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters, 18967-18969 [2012-7540]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2012 / Proposed Rules (P/N) 341A31.4116.21 installed, certificated in any category. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration (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. 14 CFR Part 39 (c) Compliance Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished previously. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (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 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 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. BILLING CODE 4910–13–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Mar 28, 2012 Jkt 226001 RIN 2120–AA64 AGENCY: (d) Required Actions [FR Doc. 2012–7538 Filed 3–28–12; 8:45 am] [Docket No. FAA–2012–0339; Directorate Identifier 2011–SW–051–AD] We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA.315B Alouette III, SE.3160 Alouette III, SA.316B Alouette III, SA.316C Alouette III, SA.319B Alouette III, SA 3180–Alouette Astazou, SA 318B– Alouette Astazou, and SA 318C– Alouette Astazou helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by incorrect positioning of the roller drive pocket recesses on the tail rotor drive shaft freewheel cage, which caused a pilot to experience a heavy jerk in the yaw control during in-flight autorotation training. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a temporary loss of tail rotor drive 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 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 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. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 18967 For service information identified in this proposed 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222–5110, email rao.edupuganti@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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued AD No. 2011–0143, dated July 26, 2011 (AD 2011–0143), to correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter model SA.315B Alouette III, SE.3160 Alouette III, SA.316B Alouette III, SA.316C Alouette III, SA.319B Alouette III, SA 3180-Alouette Astazou, SA 318B-Alouette Astazou, and SA 318 C-Alouette Astazou helicopters. EASA advises that during in-flight autorotation E:\FR\FM\29MRP1.SGM 29MRP1 18968 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2012 / Proposed Rules training, a pilot experienced a heavy jerk in the yaw control at the time of resynchronization. The free-wheel assembly of the helicopter had been replaced shortly before this flight. Internal inspection of the free-wheel assembly revealed incorrect positioning of the roller drive pocket recesses on the free-wheel cage. The subsequent offsetting restricts the travel of the roller on its ramp and can cause, under high torque conditions, free-wheel slippage. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a temporary loss of rotor drive, jeopardizing flight safety, especially in phases of flight close to the ground. 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 these same type designs. Related Service Information Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. Alouette-65.149, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011 (ASB 65.149), for model 3130, 313B, 3180, 318B, 318C, 3160, 316B, 316C, and 319B helicopters; and ASB No. SA315–65.48, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011 (ASB 65.48), for model 315B helicopters, which specify removing and disassembling the free-wheel assembly in order to check the free-wheel cage for correct positioning. EASA classified these ASBs as mandatory and issued AD 2011–0143 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Proposed AD Requirements This proposed AD would require, within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting the cage of the free-wheel assembly for incorrect design and, if a free-wheel cage of incorrect design is installed, before further flight, replacing the affected free-wheel cage with an airworthy free-wheel cage. This proposed AD would also prohibit installation of an affected free-wheel cage on any helicopter. Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD The EASA AD requires compliance within 110 flight hours or 5 months, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD does not impose a calendar time requirement. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 63 helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Mar 28, 2012 Jkt 226001 • Inspecting the free-wheel cage assembly will require 8 work-hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour, and required parts will cost $13, for a total cost per helicopter of $693, and a total cost to the U.S. operator fleet of $43,659. • Modifying any affected free-wheel cage assembly will require 8 work hours and required parts will cost $1,986, for a total cost per helicopter of $2,666. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Authority for This Rulemaking PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 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. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 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: 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new Airworthiness Directive (AD): Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA–2012– 0339; Directorate Identifier 2011–SW– 051–AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model SA.315B Alouette III, SE.3160 Alouette III, SA.316B Alouette III, SA.316C Alouette III, SA.319B Alouette III, SA 3180-Alouette Astazou, SA 318B-Alouette Astazou, and SA 318 CAlouette Astazou helicopters with a freewheel cage, part number (P/N) 3130S60–10– 003 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as incorrect positioning of the roller drive pocket recesses on the cage of the tail-rotor driveshaft free-wheel assembly. This condition could result in loss of tail rotor drive 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 Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS): (1) Remove the free-wheel assembly and pull out the free-wheel driven head. (2) Inspect the free-wheel cage for correct alignment of the roller drive pocket recesses in accordance with Figure 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. SA315– 65.48, Revision 0 or Eurocopter ASB No. Alouette–65–149, Revision 0, both dated March 23, 2011, as appropriate for your model helicopter. (3) If the right edge of the tab is in line with the right edge of the pocket recess, before further flight, replace the free-wheel cage with an airworthy free-wheel cage. (4) Do not install an affected free-wheel assembly on any helicopter, unless the cage has passed inspection in accordance with paragraph (d)(2) through (d)(3) of this AD. E:\FR\FM\29MRP1.SGM 29MRP1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2012 / Proposed Rules (e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222–5110, email rao.edupuganti@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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2011–0143, dated July 26, 2011. (g) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700: Tail Rotor Drive System. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 20, 2012. Kim Smith, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2012–7540 Filed 3–28–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2012–0340; Directorate Identifier 2011–SW–073–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S–76C helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by a birdstrike to the windshield that resulted in unintended movement of the engine control levers from the forward position and towards the flight-idle position, which reduced power on both engines. These actions are intended to prevent unintended movement of the ECLs, resulting in main rotor speed decay and subsequent loss of control of the aircraft. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 29, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Mar 28, 2012 Jkt 226001 Kirk Gustafson, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238–7190; email kirk.gustafson@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: AGENCY: SUMMARY: • 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 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 service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Attn: Manager, Commercial Technical Support, mailstop s581a, 6900 Main Street, Stratford, CT, telephone (203) 383–4866, email address tsslibrary@sikorsky.com, or at https://www.sikorsky.com. 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. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 18969 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 We are proposing this AD as the result of an accident investigation which concluded that a bird-strike to the upper portion of the windshield caused significant forces to be transferred into the overhead engine control quadrant assembly. This caused both ECLs to move aft from the normal ‘‘FLY’’ position toward the ‘‘IDLE’’ position. Unintended in-flight movement of the ECLs from the ‘‘FLY’’ position significantly reduced engine power, and resulted in an unrecoverable loss of main rotor speed and loss of control of the aircraft. A subsequent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation resulted in a recommendation to modify the design of the engine control quadrant to protect against unintended movement of the ECLs from external force to the windshield or canopy. Sikorsky then issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 76–76–6A, Revision A, dated May 18, 2011 (ASB 76–76–6A) which describes procedures to modify the engine control quadrant assembly with an improved throttle stop and a wider trigger assembly. FAA’s Determination We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Related Service Information We reviewed ASB 76–76–6A, which describes procedures for partially disassembling the engine control quadrant assembly, removing the existing throttle stop, and installing a new airworthy throttle stop. The ASB also describes procedures to remove the existing trigger assembly from each ECL and install a new airworthy wide trigger assembly. E:\FR\FM\29MRP1.SGM 29MRP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18967-18969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7540]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0339; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-051-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA.315B Alouette III, SE.3160 
Alouette III, SA.316B Alouette III, SA.316C Alouette III, SA.319B 
Alouette III, SA 3180-Alouette Astazou, SA 318B-Alouette Astazou, and 
SA 318C-Alouette Astazou helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by 
incorrect positioning of the roller drive pocket recesses on the tail 
rotor drive shaft free-wheel cage, which caused a pilot to experience a 
heavy jerk in the yaw control during in-flight autorotation training. 
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a temporary loss of 
tail rotor drive 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 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 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 service information identified in this proposed 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5110, email 
rao.edupuganti@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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued AD No. 
2011-0143, dated July 26, 2011 (AD 2011-0143), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the Eurocopter model SA.315B Alouette III, SE.3160 
Alouette III, SA.316B Alouette III, SA.316C Alouette III, SA.319B 
Alouette III, SA 3180-Alouette Astazou, SA 318B-Alouette Astazou, and 
SA 318 C-Alouette Astazou helicopters. EASA advises that during in-
flight autorotation

[[Page 18968]]

training, a pilot experienced a heavy jerk in the yaw control at the 
time of resynchronization. The free-wheel assembly of the helicopter 
had been replaced shortly before this flight. Internal inspection of 
the free-wheel assembly revealed incorrect positioning of the roller 
drive pocket recesses on the free-wheel cage. The subsequent off-
setting restricts the travel of the roller on its ramp and can cause, 
under high torque conditions, free-wheel slippage. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in a temporary loss of rotor drive, 
jeopardizing flight safety, especially in phases of flight close to the 
ground.

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 these same type designs.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. Alouette-
65.149, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011 (ASB 65.149), for model 3130, 
313B, 3180, 318B, 318C, 3160, 316B, 316C, and 319B helicopters; and ASB 
No. SA315-65.48, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011 (ASB 65.48), for 
model 315B helicopters, which specify removing and disassembling the 
free-wheel assembly in order to check the free-wheel cage for correct 
positioning. EASA classified these ASBs as mandatory and issued AD 
2011-0143 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 110 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), inspecting the cage of the free-wheel assembly for incorrect 
design and, if a free-wheel cage of incorrect design is installed, 
before further flight, replacing the affected free-wheel cage with an 
airworthy free-wheel cage. This proposed AD would also prohibit 
installation of an affected free-wheel cage on any helicopter.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires compliance within 110 flight hours or 5 
months, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD does not impose a 
calendar time requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 63 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD.
     Inspecting the free-wheel cage assembly will require 8 
work-hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour, and required parts 
will cost $13, for a total cost per helicopter of $693, and a total 
cost to the U.S. operator fleet of $43,659.
     Modifying any affected free-wheel cage assembly will 
require 8 work hours and required parts will cost $1,986, for a total 
cost per helicopter of $2,666.

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-2012-0339; Directorate Identifier 
2011-SW-051-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model SA.315B Alouette III, SE.3160 Alouette 
III, SA.316B Alouette III, SA.316C Alouette III, SA.319B Alouette 
III, SA 3180-Alouette Astazou, SA 318B-Alouette Astazou, and SA 318 
C-Alouette Astazou helicopters with a free-wheel cage, part number 
(P/N) 3130S60-10-003 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as incorrect positioning of 
the roller drive pocket recesses on the cage of the tail-rotor 
driveshaft free-wheel assembly. This condition could result in loss 
of tail rotor drive 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

    Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS):
    (1) Remove the free-wheel assembly and pull out the free-wheel 
driven head.
    (2) Inspect the free-wheel cage for correct alignment of the 
roller drive pocket recesses in accordance with Figure 2 of 
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. SA315-65.48, Revision 0 
or Eurocopter ASB No. Alouette-65-149, Revision 0, both dated March 
23, 2011, as appropriate for your model helicopter.
    (3) If the right edge of the tab is in line with the right edge 
of the pocket recess, before further flight, replace the free-wheel 
cage with an airworthy free-wheel cage.
    (4) Do not install an affected free-wheel assembly on any 
helicopter, unless the cage has passed inspection in accordance with 
paragraph (d)(2) through (d)(3) of this AD.

[[Page 18969]]

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-
5110, email rao.edupuganti@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 European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2011-0143, dated July 26, 2011.

(g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700: Tail Rotor 
Drive System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 20, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-7540 Filed 3-28-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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