Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters, 70360-70362 [2012-28033]
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70360
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested using the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector
or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the
Related Information section of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9–ANM–
Seattle–ACO–AMOC–Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(3) AMOCs approved previously in
accordance with AD 2008–08–24,
Amendment 39–15478 (73 FR 21242, April
21, 2008), are not approved as AMOCs with
this AD.
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Ansel James, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356;
phone: 425–917–6497; fax: 425–917–6590;
email: ansel.james@faa.gov.
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(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737–54–1043, Revision 2, dated
November 4, 2011.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services
Management, P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65,
Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone 206–
544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766–5680;
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(4) You may view this service information
at FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
425–227–1221.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
202–741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:35 Nov 23, 2012
Jkt 229001
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
November 9, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
SUMMARY:
2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort
Worth, Texas 76137.
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, any
incorporated-by-reference service
information, the economic evaluation,
any comments received, and other
information. The street address for the
Docket Operations Office (phone: 800–
647–5527) is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations
Office, M–30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
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:
This AD is effective December
31, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain documents listed in this AD
as of December 31, 2012.
ADDRESSES: 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 the referenced service
information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Discussion
On March 29, 2012, at 77 FR 18967,
the Federal Register published our
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM),
which proposed to amend 14 CFR part
39 to include an AD that would apply
to 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.
That NPRM proposed to require
inspecting the cage of the free-wheel
assembly for the correct alignment of
the roller drive pocket recesses and
replacing the free-wheel cage with an
airworthy free-wheel cage if a defect
exists. The proposed requirements were
intended to prevent a loss of tail rotor
drive and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
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–
0143, dated July 26, 2011 (AD 2011–
0143), to correct an unsafe condition for
Eurocopter helicopters. EASA advises
that during in-flight autorotation
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-
[FR Doc. 2012–28029 Filed 11–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2012–0339; Directorate
Identifier 2011–SW–051–AD; Amendment
39–17259; AD 2012–23–03]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter
France Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting 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
318 C–ALOUETTE ASTAZOU
helicopters. This AD requires inspecting
the cage of the free-wheel assembly for
the correct alignment of the roller drive
pocket recesses and replacing the freewheel cage with an airworthy freewheel cage if a defect exists. This 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 inflight autorotation training. The
requirements of this AD are intended to
prevent a loss of tail rotor drive and
subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES:
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
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.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD, but
we did not receive any comments on the
NPRM (77 FR 18967, March 29, 2012).
FAA’s Determination
These helicopters have been approved
by the aviation authority of France and
are approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to our bilateral
agreement with France, EASA, its
technical representative, has notified us
of the unsafe condition described in the
EASA AD. We are issuing this AD
because we evaluated all information
provided by the EASA and determined
the unsafe condition exists and is likely
to exist or develop on other helicopters
of these same type designs and that air
safety and the public interest require
adopting the AD requirements as
proposed.
Differences Between This AD and the
EASA AD
The EASA AD requires compliance
within 110 flight hours or 5 months,
whichever occurs first. This AD does
not impose a calendar time requirement.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) No. Alouette-65.149,
Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011, for
model 3130, 313B, 3180, 318B, 318C,
3160, 316B, 316C, 319C and 319B
helicopters; and ASB No. SA315–65.48,
Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011, for
model 315B helicopters, which specify
removing and disassembling the freewheel assembly 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.
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Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect
63 helicopters of U.S. Registry and that
operators may incur the following costs
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.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:35 Nov 23, 2012
Jkt 229001
• 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
helicopters identified in this rulemaking
action.
Regulatory Findings
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 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:
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70361
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
■
2012–23–03 Eurocopter France Helicopters:
Amendment 39–17259; 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) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective December 31,
2012.
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each
action required by this AD within the
specified compliance time unless it has
already been accomplished prior to that time.
(e) Required Actions
Within 110 hours time-in-service:
(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 (e)(2) through (e)(3) of this AD.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(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
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70362
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
76137, telephone (817) 222–5110, email
rao.edupuganti@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that
you notify your principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office, before
operating any aircraft complying with this
AD through an AMOC.
(g) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
No. 2011–0143, dated July 26, 2011.
(h) Subject
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the following service information
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. SA315–65.48, Revision 0, dated March
23, 2011.
(ii) Eurocopter ASB No. ALOUETTE–65–
149, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011.
(3) For Eurocopter service information
identified in this AD, contact American
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum
Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, telephone
(972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323, fax (972)
641–3775, or at https://www.eurocopter.com/
techpub.
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
(5) You may also view this service
information 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 November
5, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:35 Nov 23, 2012
Jkt 229001
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2009–0794; Directorate
Identifier 2009–NM–035–AD; Amendment
39–17239; AD 2012–22–03]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all The
Boeing Company Model 747–100, 747–
100B, 747–100B SUD, 747–200B, 747–
200C, 747–200F, 747–300, 747–400,
747–400D, 747–400F, 747SR, and 747SP
series airplanes. This AD was prompted
by reports of cracks in the main entry
door number 1 upper main sill outer
chord, along the bend radius of the
chord on several airplanes. This AD
requires a general visual inspection to
identify any existing structural repair
manual (SRM) repairs of the upper main
sill outer chord of the left and right side
main entry door number 1, repetitive
detailed inspections for cracks in the
upper main sill of the door(s); and
related investigative and corrective
actions, if necessary. This AD also
requires repetitive inspections for
airplanes on which a certain repair is
done, and corrective actions if
necessary, and reduces certain
compliance times. We are issuing this
AD to detect and correct cracks in the
main entry door number 1 upper main
sill outer chord, along the bend radius
of the chord, which could result in loss
of structural integrity of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective December
31, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in the AD
as of December 31, 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; 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.
SUMMARY:
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 6700: Tail Rotor Drive System.
[FR Doc. 2012–28033 Filed 11–23–12; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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Examining the AD Docket
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: Ivan
Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington
98057–3356; phone: (425) 917–6437;
fax: (425) 917–6590; email: ivan.li@faa.
gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a supplemental notice of
proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to
amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an
airworthiness directive (AD) that would
apply to the specified products. That
supplemental NPRM published in the
Federal Register on December 29, 2011
(76 FR 81879). The original NPRM (74
FR 49351, September 28, 2009)
proposed to require a general visual
inspection to identify any existing SRM
repairs of the upper main sill outer
chord of the left and right side main
entry door number 1, as applicable;
repetitive detailed inspections for cracks
in the upper main sill of the door(s); and
related investigative and corrective
actions, if necessary. The original NPRM
also proposed to require repetitive
inspections for airplanes on which a
certain repair is done, and corrective
actions if necessary The supplemental
NPRM proposed to revise the original
NPRM by reducing certain compliance
times.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. The
following presents the comments
received on the proposal (76 FR 81879,
December 29, 2011) and the FAA’s
response to each comment.
Request To Repair Crack by Using SRM
Boeing requested that we revise
paragraph (k) of the supplemental
NPRM (76 FR 81879, December 29,
2011) to allow, for repair of any crack
found during any inspection specified
E:\FR\FM\26NOR1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70360-70362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28033]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0339; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-051-AD;
Amendment 39-17259; AD 2012-23-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting 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 318 C-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the
cage of the free-wheel assembly for the correct alignment of the roller
drive pocket recesses and replacing the free-wheel cage with an
airworthy free-wheel cage if a defect exists. This 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.
The requirements of this AD are intended to prevent a loss of tail
rotor drive and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective December 31, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of December 31,
2012.
ADDRESSES: 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 the referenced
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
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, any
incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
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:
Discussion
On March 29, 2012, at 77 FR 18967, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to 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.
That NPRM proposed to require inspecting the cage of the free-wheel
assembly for the correct alignment of the roller drive pocket recesses
and replacing the free-wheel cage with an airworthy free-wheel cage if
a defect exists. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent a
loss of tail rotor drive and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
No. 2011-0143, dated July 26, 2011 (AD 2011-0143), to correct an unsafe
condition for Eurocopter helicopters. EASA advises that during in-
flight autorotation 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-
[[Page 70361]]
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.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (77 FR 18967,
March 29, 2012).
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in
the EASA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all
information provided by the EASA and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these
same type designs and that air safety and the public interest require
adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires compliance within 110 flight hours or 5
months, whichever occurs first. This AD does not impose a calendar time
requirement.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. Alouette-
65.149, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011, for model 3130, 313B, 3180,
318B, 318C, 3160, 316B, 316C, 319C and 319B helicopters; and ASB No.
SA315-65.48, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011, for model 315B
helicopters, which specify removing and disassembling the free-wheel
assembly 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 63 helicopters of U.S.
Registry and that operators may incur the following costs 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 helicopters identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
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 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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2012-23-03 Eurocopter France Helicopters: Amendment 39-17259; 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) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective December 31, 2012.
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been
accomplished prior to that time.
(e) Required Actions
Within 110 hours time-in-service:
(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 (e)(2) through (e)(3) of this AD.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(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
[[Page 70362]]
76137, telephone (817) 222-5110, email rao.edupuganti@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft
complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(g) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2011-0143, dated July 26, 2011.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700: Tail Rotor
Drive System.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. SA315-65.48,
Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011.
(ii) Eurocopter ASB No. ALOUETTE-65-149, Revision 0, dated March
23, 2011.
(3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD,
contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, TX 75052, telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323, fax
(972) 641-3775, or at https://www.eurocopter.com/techpub.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
(5) You may also view this service information 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 November 5, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-28033 Filed 11-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
