Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters, 44422-44424 [2013-17622]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 24, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
If the level of activity in the
report was:
And the report was filed late, the civil money penalty is:
Or the report was not filed, the civil money penalty is:
$250,000–349,999.99 ..........
[$2475 + ($200 × Number of days
Number of previous violations)].
[$3300 + ($200 × Number of days
Number of previous violations)].
[$4125 + ($200 × Number of days
Number of previous violations)].
[$4950 + ($200 × Number of days
Number of previous violations)].
[$5775 + ($200 × Number of days
Number of previous violations)].
[$6600 + ($200 × Number of days
Number of previous violations)].
[$7425 + ($200 × Number of days
Number of previous violations)].
[$9250 + ($200 × Number of days
Number of previous violations)].
late)] × [1 + (.25 ×
$10,900 × [1 + (.25 × Number of previous violations)].
late)] × [1 + (.25 ×
$11,000 × [1 + (.25 × Number of previous violations)].
late)] × [1 + (.25 ×
$12,100 × [1 + (.25 × Number of previous violations)].
late)] × [1 + (.25 ×
$13,200 × [1 + (.25 × Number of previous violations)].
late)] × [1 + (.25 ×
$14,300 × [1 + (.25 × Number of previous violations)].
late)] × [1 + (.25 ×
$15,400 × [1 + (.25 × Number of previous violations)].
late)] × [1 + (.25 ×
$16,500 × [1 + (.25 × Number of previous violations)].
late)] × [1 + (.25 ×
$17,600 × [1 + (.25 × Number of previous violations)].
$350,000–449,999.99 ..........
$450,000–549,999.99 ..........
$550,000–649,999.99 ..........
$650,000–749,999.99 ..........
$750,000–849,999.99 ..........
$850,000–949,999.99 ..........
$950,000 or over ..................
a The
*
civil money penalty for a respondent who does not have any previous violations will not exceed the level of activity in the report.
*
*
*
*
On behalf of the Commission.
Dated: July 18, 2013.
Ellen L. Weintraub,
Chair, Federal Election Commission.
[FR Doc. 2013–17703 Filed 7–23–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2013–0638; Directorate
Identifier 2013–SW–026–AD; Amendment
39–17519; AD 2013–15–03]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter
France (Eurocopter) Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Model AS350B, AS350BA,
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C,
AS350D, and AS350D1 helicopters with
a single hydraulic system and a certain
hydraulic pump drive installed. This
AD requires inspecting the hydraulic
pump drive pulley bearing (pulley
bearing) for leaks, rust, overheating, and
condition. This AD is prompted by six
reports of hydraulic pump drive belt
failure caused by seizure of the pulley
bearing. These actions are intended to
prevent hydraulic pump drive belt
failure, loss of hydraulic servo
assistance, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:33 Jul 23, 2013
This AD becomes effective
August 8, 2013.
We must receive comments on this
AD by September 23, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: Send comments to the U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the
‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
DATES:
Jkt 229001
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov or in person at the
Docket Operations Office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this AD, the foreign
authority’s AD, the economic
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations Office (telephone
800–647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.
For service information identified in
this 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,
PO 00000
Frm 00004
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2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort
Worth, Texas 76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt
Wilbanks, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Group,
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email
matt.wilbanks@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety, and
we did not provide you with notice and
an opportunity to provide your
comments prior to it becoming effective.
However, we invite you to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. We also
invite comments relating to the
economic, environmental, energy, or
federalism impacts that resulted from
adopting this AD. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of
the AD, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. To ensure the docket
does not contain duplicate comments,
commenters should send only one copy
of written comments, or if comments are
filed electronically, commenters should
submit them only one time. We will file
in the docket all comments that we
receive, as well as a report summarizing
each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerning this
rulemaking during the comment period.
We will consider all the comments we
receive and may conduct additional
rulemaking based on those comments.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA Emergency AD
No. 2013–0044–E, dated February 27,
E:\FR\FM\24JYR1.SGM
24JYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 24, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
2013, to correct an unsafe condition for
Eurocopter Model AS350B, AS350BA,
AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2,
AS350B3, and AS350D helicopters.
EASA advises that six events were
reported of hydraulic pump drive belt
failure caused by seizure of the pulley
bearing, and that a preliminary
investigation concluded the installation
of a new hydraulic pump drive
(installed in accordance with
Eurocopter modification 079566) may
have caused excessive degradation.
EASA further states that this condition,
for helicopters with a single hydraulic
system, can lead to loss of hydraulic
servo assistance and an increase in pilot
work load that requires landing as soon
as possible. For these reasons, the EASA
AD requires repetitive inspections of the
hydraulic pump drive belt and pulley
bearing and if required, replacing the
hydraulic pump drive assembly.
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.
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Related Service Information
Eurocopter issued AS350 Emergency
Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.72,
Revision 1, dated June 11, 2013 (EASB
05.00.72), for Model AS350B, AS350BA,
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3,
ASAS350D, and for non-FAA typecertificated Models AS350L1 and
AS350BB helicopters. EASB 05.00.72
describes procedures for inspecting the
pulley bearing for leaking grease,
condition of the lip seals, rust on the lip
seals, evidence of overheating revealed
by brown discoloring of the bearing, and
for the condition of the sealing flanges.
EASB 05.00.72 also describes
procedures for rotating the bearing
manually to determine if there are any
friction points, brinelling, or noises
from the bearing. EASB 05.00.72
requires these inspections within 10
hours time-in-service (TIS) for installed
bearings with 165 or more hours TIS
since installation. For bearings with less
than 165 hours TIS since installation,
EASB 05.00.72 requires inspecting the
bearing upon reaching 165 hours TIS.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:33 Jul 23, 2013
Jkt 229001
AD Requirements
This AD requires, for hydraulic pump
drives with 165 or more hours TIS since
installation, within 10 hours TIS and
thereafter at intervals not exceeding 25
hours TIS, decoupling the pulley and
inspecting the pulley bearing for leaking
grease, a crack or tear in the lip seals,
a run of rust on the lip seals, indication
of overheating shown by brown coloring
on the inner ring of the bearing, any
distortion, impact, wear, a tear, a crack,
or loss of grease on the sealing flanges,
or for a friction point, brinelling, or
noise from the bearing. If any of these
conditions exist, this AD requires
replacing the hydraulic pump drive
assembly before further flight. If the
hydraulic pump drive assembly is
replaced, the repetitive inspection
requirements of this AD still apply.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim
action. Eurocopter is still investigating
the cause of this condition. If a final
action is later identified, we might
consider additional rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect
36 helicopters of U.S. Registry. We
estimate that operators may incur the
following costs in order to comply with
this AD.
At an average labor rate of $85 per
hour, inspecting the bearing pulley
would require about 1.5 work-hours, for
a cost per helicopter of $128, and a total
cost to U.S. operators of $4,608, per
inspection cycle.
If required, replacing the hydraulic
pump drive assembly would require
about 1.5 work-hours, and required
parts would cost about $8,543, for a
total cost per helicopter of $8,671.
According to Eurocopter’s service
information, some of the costs of this
AD may be covered under warranty,
thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control
warranty coverage by Eurocopter.
Accordingly, we have included all costs
in our cost estimate.
FAA’s Justification and Determination
of the Effective Date
Providing an opportunity for public
comments prior to adopting these AD
requirements would delay
implementing the safety actions needed
to correct this known unsafe condition.
Therefore, we find that the risk to the
flying public justifies waiving notice
and comment prior to the adoption of
this rule because the required corrective
actions must be accomplished within 10
hours TIS, a very short time period
based on the average flight-hour
PO 00000
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44423
utilization rate of these helicopters in
the helicopter emergency medical
service and air tour industries.
Since an unsafe condition exists that
requires the immediate adoption of this
AD, we determined that notice and
opportunity for public comment before
issuing this AD are impracticable and
that good cause exists for making this
amendment effective in less than 30
days.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII:
Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under
the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII,
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:
General requirements.’’ Under that
section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
air commerce by prescribing regulations
for practices, methods, and procedures
the Administrator finds necessary for
safety in air commerce. This regulation
is within the scope of that authority
because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on
products identified in this rulemaking
action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this AD will not
have federalism implications under
Executive Order 13132. This AD will
not have a substantial direct effect on
the States, on the relationship between
the national Government and the States,
or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed, I certify
that this AD:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
Alaska to the extent that it justifies
making a regulatory distinction; and
4. Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
We prepared an economic evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
E:\FR\FM\24JYR1.SGM
24JYR1
44424
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 24, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
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):
■
2013–15–03 Eurocopter France
(Eurocopter): Amendment 39–17519;
Docket No. FAA–2013–0638; Directorate
Identifier 2013–SW–026–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter Model
AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2,
AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D and AS350D1
helicopters with a single hydraulic system
and with a hydraulic pump drive installed in
accordance with modification 079566 that
has 165 or more hours time-in-service (TIS)
since installation, certificated in any
category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as
seizure of the hydraulic pump drive pulley
bearing. This condition could result in
hydraulic pump drive belt failure, loss of
hydraulic servo assistance, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments on this AD by
September 23, 2013.
(d) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective August 8, 2013.
(e) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each
action required by this AD within the
specified compliance time.
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
(f) Required Actions
Within 10 hours TIS, and thereafter at
intervals not exceeding 25 hours TIS:
(1) Uncouple the pulley from the hydraulic
pump.
(2) Using a mirror and a light, inspect the
hydraulic pump drive pulley bearing (pulley
bearing) for leaking grease from each lip seal
of the four greasing orifices (lip seal) due to
wear, a crack or tear in a lip seal, a run of
rust on a lip seal, indication of overheating
shown by brown coloring on the inner ring
of the bearing, and for any distortion, impact,
wear, a tear, a crack, or loss of grease on each
sealing flange.
(3) Manually rotate the pulley bearing
through several full turns and inspect for a
friction point, brinelling, or a noise from the
bearing.
(4) If there is any leaking grease from a lip
seal, a crack or tear in a lip seal, a run of rust
on a lip seal, indication of overheating shown
by brown coloring on the inner ring of the
bearing, or distortion, impact, wear, a tear, a
crack, or loss of grease on a sealing flange,
or a friction point, brinelling, or noise from
the bearing, before further flight, replace the
hydraulic pump drive assembly.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 11,
2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Wilbanks,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and
Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email
matt.wilbanks@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.
Revisions to Page 700 of FERC Form
No. 6
(h) Additional Information
(1) Eurocopter AS350 Emergency Alert
Service Bulletin No. 05.00.72, Revision 1,
dated June 11, 2013, which is not
incorporated by reference, contains
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, TX 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 (EASA)
Emergency AD No. 2013–0044–E, dated
February 27, 2013. You may view the EASA
AD in the AD docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 2913: Hydraulic Pump, Main.
[FR Doc. 2013–17622 Filed 7–23–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
18 CFR Part 357
[Docket No. RM12–18–000; Order No. 783]
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission) is
modifying Page 700 of FERC Form No.
6 (Form 6) to facilitate the calculation of
an oil pipeline’s actual return on equity
for preliminary screening purposes. The
Commission will expand the
information provided regarding Rate
Base (line 5), Rate of Return (line 6),
Return on Rate Base (line 7), and
Income Tax Allowance (line 8).
DATES: Effective Date: This rule will
become effective September 23, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Sarikas (Technical Information),
Office of Energy Market Regulation,
888 First Street NE., Washington, DC
20426, (202) 502–6831,
James.Sarikas@ferc.gov.
Brian Holmes (Technical Information),
Office of Enforcement, 888 First Street
NE., Washington, DC 20426, (202)
502–6008, Brian.Holmes@ferc.gov.
Andrew Knudsen (Legal Information),
Office of the General Counsel, 888
First Street NE., Washington, DC
20426, (202) 502–6527,
Andrew.Knudsen@ferc.gov.
SUMMARY:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
144 FERC ¶ 61,049
Final Rule
Table of Contents
Paragraph
Nos.
I. Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................................................
II. Background ...........................................................................................................................................................................................
III. NOPR Comments ................................................................................................................................................................................
IV. Discussion ...........................................................................................................................................................................................
A. Rate Base .......................................................................................................................................................................................
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15:33 Jul 23, 2013
Jkt 229001
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1
2
6
7
9
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 24, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44422-44424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17622]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0638; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-026-AD;
Amendment 39-17519; AD 2013-15-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter)
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C,
AS350D, and AS350D1 helicopters with a single hydraulic system and a
certain hydraulic pump drive installed. This AD requires inspecting the
hydraulic pump drive pulley bearing (pulley bearing) for leaks, rust,
overheating, and condition. This AD is prompted by six reports of
hydraulic pump drive belt failure caused by seizure of the pulley
bearing. These actions are intended to prevent hydraulic pump drive
belt failure, loss of hydraulic servo assistance, and subsequent loss
of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective August 8, 2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by September 23, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the foreign authority's AD,
the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information.
The street address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
For service information identified in this 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email matt.wilbanks@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA
Emergency AD No. 2013-0044-E, dated February 27,
[[Page 44423]]
2013, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Model AS350B,
AS350BA, AS350BB, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D helicopters.
EASA advises that six events were reported of hydraulic pump drive belt
failure caused by seizure of the pulley bearing, and that a preliminary
investigation concluded the installation of a new hydraulic pump drive
(installed in accordance with Eurocopter modification 079566) may have
caused excessive degradation. EASA further states that this condition,
for helicopters with a single hydraulic system, can lead to loss of
hydraulic servo assistance and an increase in pilot work load that
requires landing as soon as possible. For these reasons, the EASA AD
requires repetitive inspections of the hydraulic pump drive belt and
pulley bearing and if required, replacing the hydraulic pump drive
assembly.
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.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter issued AS350 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No.
05.00.72, Revision 1, dated June 11, 2013 (EASB 05.00.72), for Model
AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, ASAS350D, and for non-FAA
type-certificated Models AS350L1 and AS350BB helicopters. EASB 05.00.72
describes procedures for inspecting the pulley bearing for leaking
grease, condition of the lip seals, rust on the lip seals, evidence of
overheating revealed by brown discoloring of the bearing, and for the
condition of the sealing flanges. EASB 05.00.72 also describes
procedures for rotating the bearing manually to determine if there are
any friction points, brinelling, or noises from the bearing. EASB
05.00.72 requires these inspections within 10 hours time-in-service
(TIS) for installed bearings with 165 or more hours TIS since
installation. For bearings with less than 165 hours TIS since
installation, EASB 05.00.72 requires inspecting the bearing upon
reaching 165 hours TIS.
AD Requirements
This AD requires, for hydraulic pump drives with 165 or more hours
TIS since installation, within 10 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals
not exceeding 25 hours TIS, decoupling the pulley and inspecting the
pulley bearing for leaking grease, a crack or tear in the lip seals, a
run of rust on the lip seals, indication of overheating shown by brown
coloring on the inner ring of the bearing, any distortion, impact,
wear, a tear, a crack, or loss of grease on the sealing flanges, or for
a friction point, brinelling, or noise from the bearing. If any of
these conditions exist, this AD requires replacing the hydraulic pump
drive assembly before further flight. If the hydraulic pump drive
assembly is replaced, the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD
still apply.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim action. Eurocopter is still
investigating the cause of this condition. If a final action is later
identified, we might consider additional rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 36 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in
order to comply with this AD.
At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, inspecting the bearing
pulley would require about 1.5 work-hours, for a cost per helicopter of
$128, and a total cost to U.S. operators of $4,608, per inspection
cycle.
If required, replacing the hydraulic pump drive assembly would
require about 1.5 work-hours, and required parts would cost about
$8,543, for a total cost per helicopter of $8,671.
According to Eurocopter's service information, some of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by
Eurocopter. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment
prior to the adoption of this rule because the required corrective
actions must be accomplished within 10 hours TIS, a very short time
period based on the average flight-hour utilization rate of these
helicopters in the helicopter emergency medical service and air tour
industries.
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed, I certify that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
[[Page 44424]]
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):
2013-15-03 Eurocopter France (Eurocopter): Amendment 39-17519;
Docket No. FAA-2013-0638; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-026-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1,
AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D and AS350D1 helicopters with a
single hydraulic system and with a hydraulic pump drive installed in
accordance with modification 079566 that has 165 or more hours time-
in-service (TIS) since installation, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as seizure of the hydraulic
pump drive pulley bearing. This condition could result in hydraulic
pump drive belt failure, loss of hydraulic servo assistance, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments on this AD by September 23, 2013.
(d) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective August 8, 2013.
(e) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this
AD within the specified compliance time.
(f) Required Actions
Within 10 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding
25 hours TIS:
(1) Uncouple the pulley from the hydraulic pump.
(2) Using a mirror and a light, inspect the hydraulic pump drive
pulley bearing (pulley bearing) for leaking grease from each lip
seal of the four greasing orifices (lip seal) due to wear, a crack
or tear in a lip seal, a run of rust on a lip seal, indication of
overheating shown by brown coloring on the inner ring of the
bearing, and for any distortion, impact, wear, a tear, a crack, or
loss of grease on each sealing flange.
(3) Manually rotate the pulley bearing through several full
turns and inspect for a friction point, brinelling, or a noise from
the bearing.
(4) If there is any leaking grease from a lip seal, a crack or
tear in a lip seal, a run of rust on a lip seal, indication of
overheating shown by brown coloring on the inner ring of the
bearing, or distortion, impact, wear, a tear, a crack, or loss of
grease on a sealing flange, or a friction point, brinelling, or
noise from the bearing, before further flight, replace the hydraulic
pump drive assembly.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email matt.wilbanks@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.
(h) Additional Information
(1) Eurocopter AS350 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No.
05.00.72, Revision 1, dated June 11, 2013, which is not incorporated
by reference, contains 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,
TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-
3775; or at http:[sol][sol]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 (EASA) Emergency AD No. 2013-0044-E, dated February
27, 2013. You may view the EASA AD in the AD docket on the Internet
at http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2913: Hydraulic
Pump, Main.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 11, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17622 Filed 7-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
