Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters, 15277-15279 [2013-04224]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
15277
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
Vol. 78, No. 47
Monday, March 11, 2013
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains regulatory documents having general
applicability and legal effect, most of which
are keyed to and codified in the Code of
Federal Regulations, which is published under
50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by
the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of
new books are listed in the first FEDERAL
REGISTER issue of each week.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2012–1015; Directorate
Identifier 2007–SW–069–AD; Amendment
39–17363; AD 2013–04–06]
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 the
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model
AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1
helicopters. This AD requires modifying
the main landing gear control panel
(control panel) 33G, connector 100G,
and wiring. It also requires tests to
ensure that these modifications function
correctly. This AD was prompted by
reports of electro-valve power supply
disruptions while a helicopter is on the
ground, causing the landing gear to
retract and the helicopter nose to drop.
This results in damage to the forward
section of the helicopter’s bottom
structure. The actions of this AD are
intended to prevent an uncommanded
landing gear retraction that would cause
the helicopter nose to drop and hit the
ground while the rotor blades are
spinning.
SUMMARY:
This AD is effective April 15,
2013.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain document listed in this AD
as of April 15, 2013.
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–
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
DATES:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:01 Mar 08, 2013
Jkt 229001
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:
George Schwab, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Safety Management Group, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas,
76137; telephone: (817) 222–5114; fax:
(817) 222–5961; email:
george.schwab@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On September 25, 2012, at 77 FR
58973, 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
AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1
helicopters not modified per
modification (MOD) 0723817, MOD
0725670, MOD 332P083218 or MOD
332A088381, with a control panel 33G,
part number 332A67–1623–00, –06,
–0610, or –0651. That NPRM proposed
to require modifying the control panel
33G, connector 100G, and wiring. It also
proposed to require tests to ensure that
these modifications function correctly.
The proposed requirements were
intended to prevent an uncommanded
landing gear retraction that would cause
the helicopter nose to drop and hit the
ground while the rotor blades are
spinning.
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2006–
0152, dated May 30, 2006, to correct an
unsafe condition for Eurocopter Model
AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and
AS332L1 helicopters. EASA advises of
electro-valve power supply disruptions,
which caused the landing gear to retract
and the helicopter to drop, resulting in
damage to the forward section of the
helicopter’s bottom structure. AD 2006–
0152 requires compliance with
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. 32.00.18, Revision 1, dated March
27, 2006, or later revisions and
supersedes Direction Generale de
L’Aviation Civile France AD No. F–
2005–100, dated June 22, 2005.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD, but
we received no comments on the NPRM
(77 FR 58973, September 25, 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 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
This AD differs from the EASA AD as
follows:
• This AD requires compliance
within 90 days, while the EASA AD
requires compliance within 3 months.
The EASA AD also addresses spare
parts, and this AD does not address
spare parts.
• The EASA AD requires a repeat of
the tests for helicopters that have been
modified in compliance with AD F–
2005–100, and this AD does not.
• The EASA AD also applies to the
Model AS332C1 helicopter, and this AD
does not because this model does not
have an FAA-issued type certificate.
E:\FR\FM\11MRR1.SGM
11MRR1
15278
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 47 / Monday, March 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
Related Service Information
We reviewed Eurocopter ASB No.
32.00.18, Revision 2, dated July 12,
2010, for Model AS332C, AS332C1,
AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters and
military Model AS332B, AS332B1,
AS332M, AS332M1, AS332F1
helicopters with the specified control
panel 33G. That ASB states that
electrical interferences on the solenoid
valve power supply line have caused
untimely retraction of the main landing
gear, causing helicopters to sink,
resulting in damage to the front section
of the helicopter’s bottom structure. The
ASB describes procedures for modifying
the main landing gear control tab on the
control panel 33G, replacing the fixed
connector on the control panel 33G,
replacing the removable connector on
the corresponding wiring, and testing
the affected systems to ensure that these
modifications function correctly. The
ASB states that these actions are
intended to prevent untimely power
supply to the solenoid valve when the
main landing gear control tab is on
‘‘extended’’ and to avoid main landing
gear retraction. EASA AD 2006–0152
classified portions of the ASB as
mandatory.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects three
helicopters of U.S. registry. We estimate
the following costs to comply with this
AD:
We estimate that modification of the
control panel, connector, and wiring
takes one work hour to complete at $85
per hour, and that parts cost $293.
Performing function tests takes about
4.5 hours to complete, for a total labor
cost of $383. Thus, we estimate a total
cost per helicopter of $761, and a total
cost of $2,283 for the fleet.
We do not control warranty coverage.
Accordingly, we have included all costs
in our cost estimate.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII:
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under
the authority described in Subtitle VII,
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:
‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that
section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
air commerce by prescribing regulations
for practices, methods, and procedures
the Administrator finds necessary for
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:01 Mar 08, 2013
Jkt 229001
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
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):
■
2013–04–06 Eurocopter France
(Eurocopter): Amendment 39–17363;
Docket No. FAA–2012–1015; Directorate
Identifier 2007–SW–069–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter Model
AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters
not modified per modification (MOD)
0723817, MOD 0725670, MOD 332P083218
or MOD 332A088381, with a main landing
gear control panel (control panel) 33G, part
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
number (P/N) 332A67–1623–00, –06, –0610,
or –0651; certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as an
uncommanded landing gear retraction, which
could cause the helicopter nose to drop and
hit the ground while the rotor blades are
spinning.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective April 15, 2013.
(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 90 days, modify the control panel
33G and connector 100G, route the
1GA5103E wiring, and perform the tests in
accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, Paragraphs 2.B 2.a. through
2.B.3.d., and as depicted in figures 1 and 2,
of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No
32.00.18, Revision 2, dated July 12, 2010.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft
Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas, 76137;
telephone: (817) 222–5114; fax: (817) 222–
5961; email: george.schwab@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 AD No.
2006–0152, dated May 30, 2006.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 3230, landing gear retract/extend
system.
(i) 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) Eurocopter France Alert Service Bulletin
No. 32.00.18, Revision 2, dated July 12, 2010.
(ii) Reserved.
(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.
E:\FR\FM\11MRR1.SGM
11MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 47 / Monday, March 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
(4) You may view this service information
at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
(202) 741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February
8, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–04224 Filed 3–8–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2012–1106; Directorate
Identifier 2012–NM–084–AD; Amendment
39–17341; AD 2013–03–06]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A330–200 Freighter,
–200, and –300 series airplanes; and
Model A340–200, –300, –500, and –600
series airplanes. This AD was prompted
by a report that erroneous height
indication by one radio altimeter with
engaged flare and retard mode, in case
of go-around, might lead to a temporary
loss of airplane longitudinal control.
This AD requires revising the airplane
flight manual. We are issuing this AD to
ensure that the flightcrew applies the
appropriate operational procedures in
the event of an erroneous indication of
the radio altimeter, which could result
in temporary loss of airplane
longitudinal control.
DATES: This AD becomes effective April
15, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in this AD
as of April 15, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov or in person at the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:01 Mar 08, 2013
Jkt 229001
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M–30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057–3356; telephone
(425) 227–1138; fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would
apply to the specified products. That
NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on October 25, 2012 (77 FR
65146). That NPRM proposed to correct
an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI)
states:
Airbus performed tests to investigate the
consequences of one radio altimeter
providing an erroneous indication.
These tests concluded that with engaged
flare and retard mode, in case of go-around,
the situation may lead to a temporary loss of
aeroplane longitudinal control.
To address this condition, Airbus issued a
new Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
operational procedure.
For the reasons described above, this
[European Aviation Safety Agency] AD
requires amendment of the applicable AFM
to ensure that the flight crew applies the
appropriate operational procedures.
You may obtain further information
by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. We
considered the comment received. Air
Line Pilots Association, International,
supported the NPRM (77 FR 65146,
October 25, 2012).
Explanation of Changes Made to This
AD
We have revised paragraph (g) and
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD to
remove reference to inserting a copy of
this AD into the AFM as a method of
complying with the requirements of
paragraph (g) of this AD. Inserting a
copy of this AD into the AFM does not
address the unsafe condition identified
in this AD. This language was
erroneously included in the NPRM (77
FR 65146, October 25, 2012), and has,
therefore, been removed from this AD.
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
15279
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data,
including the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD
with the changes described previously—
and minor editorial changes. We have
determined that these minor changes:
• Are consistent with the intent that
was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR
65146, October 25, 2012) for correcting
the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden
upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 65146,
October 25, 2012).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect
64 products of U.S. registry. We also
estimate that it will take about 1 workhour per product to comply with the
basic requirements of this AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the
cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to
be $5,440, or $85 per product.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII:
Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under
the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII,
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:
General requirements.’’ Under that
section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
air commerce by prescribing regulations
for practices, methods, and procedures
the Administrator finds necessary for
safety in air commerce. This regulation
is within the scope of that authority
because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on
products identified in this rulemaking
action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this AD will not
have federalism implications under
Executive Order 13132. This AD will
not have a substantial direct effect on
the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States,
or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that this AD:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
E:\FR\FM\11MRR1.SGM
11MRR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 47 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15277-15279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04224]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each
week.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 47 / Monday, March 11, 2013 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 15277]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1015; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-069-AD;
Amendment 39-17363; AD 2013-04-06]
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 the
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1
helicopters. This AD requires modifying the main landing gear control
panel (control panel) 33G, connector 100G, and wiring. It also requires
tests to ensure that these modifications function correctly. This AD
was prompted by reports of electro-valve power supply disruptions while
a helicopter is on the ground, causing the landing gear to retract and
the helicopter nose to drop. This results in damage to the forward
section of the helicopter's bottom structure. The actions of this AD
are intended to prevent an uncommanded landing gear retraction that
would cause the helicopter nose to drop and hit the ground while the
rotor blades are spinning.
DATES: This AD is effective April 15, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of April 15, 2013.
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: George Schwab, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas, 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5114;
fax: (817) 222-5961; email: george.schwab@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On September 25, 2012, at 77 FR 58973, 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 AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters not modified per
modification (MOD) 0723817, MOD 0725670, MOD 332P083218 or MOD
332A088381, with a control panel 33G, part number 332A67-1623-00, -06,
-0610, or -0651. That NPRM proposed to require modifying the control
panel 33G, connector 100G, and wiring. It also proposed to require
tests to ensure that these modifications function correctly. The
proposed requirements were intended to prevent an uncommanded landing
gear retraction that would cause the helicopter nose to drop and hit
the ground while the rotor blades are spinning.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
No. 2006-0152, dated May 30, 2006, to correct an unsafe condition for
Eurocopter Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. EASA
advises of electro-valve power supply disruptions, which caused the
landing gear to retract and the helicopter to drop, resulting in damage
to the forward section of the helicopter's bottom structure. AD 2006-
0152 requires compliance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. 32.00.18, Revision 1, dated March 27, 2006, or later revisions and
supersedes Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile France AD No. F-
2005-100, dated June 22, 2005.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 58973,
September 25, 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 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
This AD differs from the EASA AD as follows:
This AD requires compliance within 90 days, while the EASA
AD requires compliance within 3 months. The EASA AD also addresses
spare parts, and this AD does not address spare parts.
The EASA AD requires a repeat of the tests for helicopters
that have been modified in compliance with AD F-2005-100, and this AD
does not.
The EASA AD also applies to the Model AS332C1 helicopter,
and this AD does not because this model does not have an FAA-issued
type certificate.
[[Page 15278]]
Related Service Information
We reviewed Eurocopter ASB No. 32.00.18, Revision 2, dated July 12,
2010, for Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters and
military Model AS332B, AS332B1, AS332M, AS332M1, AS332F1 helicopters
with the specified control panel 33G. That ASB states that electrical
interferences on the solenoid valve power supply line have caused
untimely retraction of the main landing gear, causing helicopters to
sink, resulting in damage to the front section of the helicopter's
bottom structure. The ASB describes procedures for modifying the main
landing gear control tab on the control panel 33G, replacing the fixed
connector on the control panel 33G, replacing the removable connector
on the corresponding wiring, and testing the affected systems to ensure
that these modifications function correctly. The ASB states that these
actions are intended to prevent untimely power supply to the solenoid
valve when the main landing gear control tab is on ``extended'' and to
avoid main landing gear retraction. EASA AD 2006-0152 classified
portions of the ASB as mandatory.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects three helicopters of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
We estimate that modification of the control panel, connector, and
wiring takes one work hour to complete at $85 per hour, and that parts
cost $293. Performing function tests takes about 4.5 hours to complete,
for a total labor cost of $383. Thus, we estimate a total cost per
helicopter of $761, and a total cost of $2,283 for the fleet.
We do not control warranty coverage. Accordingly, we have included
all costs in our cost estimate.
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):
2013-04-06 Eurocopter France (Eurocopter): Amendment 39-17363;
Docket No. FAA-2012-1015; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-069-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter Model AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1
helicopters not modified per modification (MOD) 0723817, MOD
0725670, MOD 332P083218 or MOD 332A088381, with a main landing gear
control panel (control panel) 33G, part number (P/N) 332A67-1623-00,
-06, -0610, or -0651; certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as an uncommanded landing
gear retraction, which could cause the helicopter nose to drop and
hit the ground while the rotor blades are spinning.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective April 15, 2013.
(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 90 days, modify the control panel 33G and connector 100G,
route the 1GA5103E wiring, and perform the tests in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraphs 2.B 2.a. through
2.B.3.d., and as depicted in figures 1 and 2, of Eurocopter Alert
Service Bulletin No 32.00.18, Revision 2, dated July 12, 2010.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas, 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5114;
fax: (817) 222-5961; email: george.schwab@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 AD No. 2006-0152, dated May 30, 2006.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3230, landing gear
retract/extend system.
(i) 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) Eurocopter France Alert Service Bulletin No. 32.00.18,
Revision 2, dated July 12, 2010.
(ii) Reserved.
(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.
[[Page 15279]]
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 8, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-04224 Filed 3-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
