Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters, 18230-18232 [2013-06133]
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18230
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 58 / Tuesday, March 26, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 6400, Tail Rotor 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) Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico No.
109S–5, dated July 26, 2006;
(ii) Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico No.
109EP–70, dated July 27, 2006;
(iii) Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico No.
109K–47, dated July 27, 2006;
(iv) Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico No.
109–122, dated July 27, 2006; and
(v) Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico No.
119–15, dated July 27, 2006.
(3) For Agusta service information
identified in this AD, contact Agusta
Westland, Customer Support & Services, Via
Per Tornavento 15, 21019 Somma Lombardo
(VA) Italy, ATTN: Giovanni Cecchelli;
telephone 39 (0331) 711133; fax 39 (0331)
711180; or at https://
www.agustawestland.com/technicalbullettins.
(4) You may view this referenced 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 March 7,
2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–06131 Filed 3–25–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2012–0772; Directorate
Identifier 2007–SW–053–AD; Amendment
39–17393; AD 2013–05–21]
RIN 2120–AA64
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter
France Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for
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16:42 Mar 25, 2013
Jkt 229001
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model
EC130 B4 helicopters with a cabin
vibration damper installed. This AD
requires installing a vibration damper
casing assembly on both sides of the
helicopter. This AD was prompted by a
crack and failure of a cabin vibration
damper blade. The actions of this AD
are intended to modify the cabin
vibration damper assembly to prevent
contact with the flight controls in the
event of a cabin vibration blade failure,
jamming of a flight control, and
subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective April 30,
2013.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain document listed in this AD
as of April 30, 2013.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this AD, contact American
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum
Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 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: Gary
Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Group,
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email
gary.b.roach@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On July 26, 2012, at 77 FR 43738, 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 EC130 B4 helicopters
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
with a cabin vibration damper installed,
except those modified in accordance
with Modification 073565. That NPRM
proposed to require installing a
vibration damper casing assembly on
both sides of the helicopter. The
proposed requirements were intended to
prevent contact with the flight controls
in the event of a cabin vibration blade
failure, jamming of a flight control, 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, issued EASA AD No. 2006–0278,
dated September 7, 2006 (AD 2006–
0278), to correct an unsafe condition for
the Eurocopter Model EC130 B4
helicopter. EASA advises of a cracked
cabin vibration damper blade, which
could lead to jamming of a flight
control.
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 43738, July 26, 2012).
FAA’s Determination
This helicopter has been approved by
the aviation authority of France and is
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
this same type design 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 two daily
visual inspections for cracks in the
blade of each cabin vibration damper
and replacement of a blade if there is a
crack; this AD does not. The EASA AD
requires compliance by a calendar date.
This AD requires compliance within
100 hours time-in-service.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) No. 53A008, Revision 0,
dated July 19, 2006 (ASB 53A008),
which supersedes ASB No. 05A002,
Revision 0, dated July 18, 2006, and
specifies installing a cabin vibration
damper containment device. EASA
classified ASB 53A008 as mandatory
and issued AD 2006–0278 to ensure the
E:\FR\FM\26MRR1.SGM
26MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 58 / Tuesday, March 26, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
continued airworthiness of these
helicopters.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect
122 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur
the following costs in order to comply
with this AD.
• $340 for 4 work-hours to install a
vibration damper casing assembly at an
average labor rate of $85 per work-hour,
• $1,500 for required parts per
helicopter, and
• $224,480 total cost for the fleet.
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.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
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.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:42 Mar 25, 2013
Jkt 229001
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):
■
2013–05–21 Eurocopter France:
Amendment 39–17393; Docket No.
FAA–2012–0772; Directorate Identifier
2007–SW–053–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model EC130 B4
helicopters with a cabin vibration damper
installed, except those modified in
accordance with Modification 073565,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a
cracked cabin vibration damper blade. This
condition could result in failure of the blade,
jamming of the flight controls, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective April 30, 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 the next 100 hours time-in-service:
(1) For helicopters that have not been
modified in accordance with Modification
073521 or Modification 073525, install a
vibration damper casing assembly on both
sides of the helicopter by following
paragraphs 2.B.2.a and 2.B.5 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter
Alert Service Bulletin No. 53A008, dated July
19, 2006 (ASB 53A008).
(2) For helicopters that have been modified
in accordance with Modification 073521
either at the time of manufacture or pursuant
to Eurocopter Service Bulletin (SB) No. 53–
006, Revision 1, dated September 30, 2004;
or Modification 073525 either at the time of
manufacture or pursuant to Eurocopter SB
No. 53–007, Revision 1, dated February 19,
2007, install a vibration damper casing
assembly on both sides of the helicopter by
following paragraphs 2.B.3.a, 2.B.3.b, and
2.B.5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of
ASB 53A008.
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18231
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(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, Texas
76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email
gary.b.roach@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
(1) Eurocopter SB No. 53–006, Revision 1,
dated September 30, 2004; SB No. 53–007,
Revision 1, dated February 19, 2007; and
Alert SB No. 05A002, Revision 0, dated July
18, 2006, which are not incorporated by
reference, contain additional information
about the subject of this AD. For service
information identified in this AD, contact
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N.
Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052;
telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323;
fax (972) 641–3775; or at https://
www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may
review a copy of the service information at
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in
European Aviation Safety Agency AD No.
2006–0278, dated September 7, 2006.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 1810, Helicopter Vibration Analysis.
(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 Alert Service Bulletin No.
53A008, dated July 19, 2006.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Eurocopter service information
identified in this AD, contact American
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum
Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 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 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
E:\FR\FM\26MRR1.SGM
26MRR1
18232
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 58 / Tuesday, March 26, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
(202) 741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 7,
2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–06133 Filed 3–25–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA–2013–0179; Airspace
Docket No. 05–AGL–6]
RIN 2120–AA66
Amendment of VOR Federal Airway V–
233, Springfield, IL
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule, technical
amendment.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This action amends VHF
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal
Airway V–233 in the vicinity of
Springfield, IL. The FAA is taking this
action to correct the V–233 description
contained in Part 71 to ensure it
matches the information contained in
the FAA’s aeronautical database,
matches the depiction on the associated
charts, and ensures the safety and
efficiency of the National Airspace
System (NAS).
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC March
26, 2013. The Director of the Federal
Register approves this incorporation by
reference action under 1 CFR part 51,
subject to the annual revision of FAA
Order 7400.9 and publication of
conforming amendments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy and ATC
Procedures Group, Office of Mission
Support Services, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591;
telephone: (202) 267–8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
History
After a recent review of aeronautical
data, the Aeronautical Navigation
Products Group identified the VOR
Federal airway V–233 description did
not match the airway information
contained in the FAA’s aeronautical
database or the charted depiction of the
airway. When V–233 was amended in
the Federal Register of August 8, 2005
(70 FR 45527), the airway was realigned
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:42 Mar 25, 2013
Jkt 229001
to reflect a radial change due to the
relocation of the Spinner VHF
Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air
Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid.
However, the final rule erroneously
used the magnetic radial information
from the Spinner VORTAC to describe
the fix between the Spinner VORTAC
and the Roberts VOR/Distance
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME)
navigation aids instead of the true radial
information that should have been used.
The FAA aeronautical database contains
the correct radial information for
describing the airway fix between the
Spinner VORTAC and Roberts VOR/
DME in the airway description and the
associated aeronautical charts remain
published correctly. To overcome any
confusion or flight safety issues
associated with conflicting airway
description information being
published, the FAA is amending the V–
233 legal description to reflect the
correct Spinner VORTAC radial
information.
The Rule
The FAA amends Title 14 Code of
Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by
amending the legal description of VOR
Federal airway V–233 in the vicinity of
Springfield, IL. Specifically, the FAA
amends V–233 to reflect the true radial
information from the Spinner VORTAC
(061° radial) to describe the fix between
the Spinner VORTAC and Roberts VOR/
DME navigation aids; thus, matching the
information currently contained in the
FAA’s aeronautical database and the
charted depiction of the airway.
VOR Federal airways are listed in
paragraph 6010 of FAA Order 7400.9W
dated August 8, 2012, and effective
September 15, 2012, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR
71.1. The VOR Federal airway listed in
this document will be revised
subsequently in the Order.
Accordingly, since this is an
administrative correction to update the
V–233 description to be in concert with
the FAA’s aeronautical database and
charting, notice and public procedures
under Title 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are
unnecessary.
The FAA has determined that this
regulation only involves an established
body of technical regulations for which
frequent and routine amendments are
necessary to keep them operationally
current. Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is
not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’
under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not
a ‘‘significant rule’’ under Department of
Transportation (DOT) Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034;
February 26, 1979); and (3) does not
warrant preparation of a regulatory
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
evaluation as the anticipated impact is
so minimal. Since this is a routine
matter that will only affect air traffic
procedures and air navigation, it is
certified that this rule, when
promulgated, will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities under the
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
The FAA’s authority to issue rules
regarding aviation safety is found in
Title 49 of the United States Code.
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. This rulemaking is
promulgated under the authority
described in Subtitle VII, Part A,
Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that
section, the FAA is charged with
prescribing regulations to assign the use
of the airspace necessary to ensure the
safety of aircraft and the efficient use of
airspace. This regulation is within the
scope of that authority as it amends an
existing VOR Federal airway within the
NAS.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this
action qualifies for categorical exclusion
under the National Environmental
Policy Act in accordance with 311a,
FAA Order 1050.1E, ‘‘Environmental
Impacts: Policies and Procedures.’’ This
airspace action is not expected to cause
any potentially significant
environmental impacts, and no
extraordinary circumstances exist that
warrant preparation of an
environmental assessment.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference,
Navigation (air).
Adoption of the Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the
Federal Aviation Administration
amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,
B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND
REPORTING POINTS
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR
part 71 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113,
40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959–
1963 Comp., p. 389.
§ 71.1
[Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in
14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9W,
Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, signed August 8, 2012, and
■
E:\FR\FM\26MRR1.SGM
26MRR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 26, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18230-18232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06133]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0772; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-053-AD;
Amendment 39-17393; AD 2013-05-21]
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
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC130 B4 helicopters with a cabin
vibration damper installed. This AD requires installing a vibration
damper casing assembly on both sides of the helicopter. This AD was
prompted by a crack and failure of a cabin vibration damper blade. The
actions of this AD are intended to modify the cabin vibration damper
assembly to prevent contact with the flight controls in the event of a
cabin vibration blade failure, jamming of a flight control, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective April 30, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of April 30, 2013.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie,
Texas 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: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
gary.b.roach@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On July 26, 2012, at 77 FR 43738, 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 EC130
B4 helicopters with a cabin vibration damper installed, except those
modified in accordance with Modification 073565. That NPRM proposed to
require installing a vibration damper casing assembly on both sides of
the helicopter. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent
contact with the flight controls in the event of a cabin vibration
blade failure, jamming of a flight control, 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, issued EASA AD No.
2006-0278, dated September 7, 2006 (AD 2006-0278), to correct an unsafe
condition for the Eurocopter Model EC130 B4 helicopter. EASA advises of
a cracked cabin vibration damper blade, which could lead to jamming of
a flight control.
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 43738,
July 26, 2012).
FAA's Determination
This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of
France and is 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 this same
type design 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 two daily visual inspections for cracks in the
blade of each cabin vibration damper and replacement of a blade if
there is a crack; this AD does not. The EASA AD requires compliance by
a calendar date. This AD requires compliance within 100 hours time-in-
service.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 53A008,
Revision 0, dated July 19, 2006 (ASB 53A008), which supersedes ASB No.
05A002, Revision 0, dated July 18, 2006, and specifies installing a
cabin vibration damper containment device. EASA classified ASB 53A008
as mandatory and issued AD 2006-0278 to ensure the
[[Page 18231]]
continued airworthiness of these helicopters.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 122 helicopters of U.S.
Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this AD.
$340 for 4 work-hours to install a vibration damper casing
assembly at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour,
$1,500 for required parts per helicopter, and
$224,480 total cost for the fleet.
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):
2013-05-21 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-17393; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0772; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-053-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model EC130 B4 helicopters with a cabin
vibration damper installed, except those modified in accordance with
Modification 073565, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a cracked cabin
vibration damper blade. This condition could result in failure of
the blade, jamming of the flight controls, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective April 30, 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 the next 100 hours time-in-service:
(1) For helicopters that have not been modified in accordance
with Modification 073521 or Modification 073525, install a vibration
damper casing assembly on both sides of the helicopter by following
paragraphs 2.B.2.a and 2.B.5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 53A008, dated July 19, 2006
(ASB 53A008).
(2) For helicopters that have been modified in accordance with
Modification 073521 either at the time of manufacture or pursuant to
Eurocopter Service Bulletin (SB) No. 53-006, Revision 1, dated
September 30, 2004; or Modification 073525 either at the time of
manufacture or pursuant to Eurocopter SB No. 53-007, Revision 1,
dated February 19, 2007, install a vibration damper casing assembly
on both sides of the helicopter by following paragraphs 2.B.3.a,
2.B.3.b, and 2.B.5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 53A008.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(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, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email gary.b.roach@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
(1) Eurocopter SB No. 53-006, Revision 1, dated September 30,
2004; SB No. 53-007, Revision 1, dated February 19, 2007; and Alert
SB No. 05A002, Revision 0, dated July 18, 2006, which are not
incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the
subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD,
contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, Texas 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323;
fax (972) 641-3775; or at https://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may
review a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency AD No. 2006-0278, dated September 7, 2006.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 1810, Helicopter
Vibration Analysis.
(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 Alert Service Bulletin No. 53A008, dated July 19,
2006.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD,
contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, Texas 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 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
[[Page 18232]]
(202) 741-6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 7, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-06133 Filed 3-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P