Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters, 63429-63431 [2013-24942]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63429-63431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24942]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0872; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-012-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter France Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, EC225LP, and 
SA330J helicopters with a certain tail rotor control turnbuckle 
(turnbuckle) installed. This proposed AD would require inspecting the 
turnbuckles for corrosion or a crack, and depending on the results, 
either replacing the turnbuckle or treating the turnbuckle for 
corrosion. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that a turnbuckle 
had failed because of corrosion. The proposed actions are intended to 
detect corrosion or a crack on a turnbuckle and prevent the failure of 
a turnbuckle, loss of control of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 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 proposed 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 proposed AD, contact 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; 
or at https://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review 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: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email robert.grant@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
No. 2013-0081, dated March 26, 2013, to correct an unsafe condition for 
the Eurocopter Model SA330J, AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 
EC225LP helicopters equipped with tail rotor control turnbuckles, part 
number 330A27-5031-20. EASA advises that one of the two turnbuckles 
installed on the tail rotor's yaw flight control cables failed on a 
helicopter because of corrosion. The subsequent investigation revealed 
a lack of Mastinox sealant coating between both sides of the 
turnbuckle's internal tappings and the interface screws of the end-
fitting components of the yaw flight control cables. EASA advises that 
this likely caused the corrosion. This condition, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to failure of a tail rotor control turnbuckle, 
resulting in loss of control of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.
    To address this condition, EASA issued AD No. 2013-0081, which 
requires repetitive inspections of each turnbuckle and, depending on 
the results, either replacing the turnbuckle or treating the turnbuckle 
for corrosion. EASA revised its AD and issued AD No. 2013-0081R1, dated 
June 20, 2013, to clarify some of the requirements.

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 
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known 
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    On March 14, 2013, Eurocopter issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. EC225-05A031 for Model No. EC225LP helicopters; ASB No. AS332-
05.00.95 for Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1 and AS332L2 and for 
military Model AS332B, AS332B1, AS332F1,

[[Page 63430]]

AS332M and AS332M1 helicopters; and ASB No. SA330-05.98 for Model 
SA330J and military Model SA330Ba, SA330Ca, SA330Ea, SA330H, SA330L, 
SA330Jm, SA330S1 and SA330Sm helicopters. Eurocopter reports that a 
tail rotor control turnbuckle ruptured because of corrosion. The damage 
was discovered during a flight-control check after the main gearbox was 
replaced. An investigation revealed that Mastinox sealant was missing 
between the turnbuckle tappings and end-fittings and led to the 
formation of galvanic corrosion. To prevent a turnbuckle from 
splitting, Eurocopter called for checking all tail rotor control 
turnbuckles for cracks and corrosion every 12 months. On June 5, 2013, 
Eurocopter revised all of the ASBs with Revision 1 to clarify a 
requirement.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require:
    For helicopters delivered before March 1, 2013, within 110 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever occurs first, and at 
intervals not to exceed 12 months thereafter, inspecting the 
turnbuckles for corrosion or a crack. The delivery date is the date the 
helicopter left Eurocopter's manufacturing plant in France and is the 
date on the helicopter's identification plate.
    For helicopters delivered on or after March 1, 2013, within 12 
months, and at intervals not to exceed 12 months thereafter, inspecting 
the turnbuckles for corrosion or a crack.
    If there is corrosion or a crack on the tappings or middle hole of 
the internal surface of the turnbuckle, or if there is corrosion with a 
depth of more than 0.3 mm or a crack on the external surface of a 
turnbuckle, removing the turnbuckle from service before the next 
flight.
    If corrosion is present at or less than a depth of 0.3 mm on the 
turnbuckle's external surface, before the next flight, treating the 
affected turnbuckle to prevent corrosion and then removing the treated 
turnbuckle from service within 6 months from the date the part is 
treated for corrosion.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to Eurocopter Model AS332C1 helicopters. This 
proposed AD does not because Model AS332C1 helicopters are not type 
certificated in the United States.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 46 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on 
these estimates, we would expect the following costs:
     Inspecting the tail rotor control turnbuckles for 
corrosion or a crack would require 4 work-hours for a labor cost of 
$340. Parts would cost $148 for a total cost of $488 per helicopter, 
$22,448 for the U.S. fleet.
     Treating the turnbuckle to prevent corrosion would require 
1 work-hour for a labor cost of $85. The cost of parts is minimal for a 
total cost of $85 per helicopter.
     Replacing the turnbuckle would not require additional 
labor costs because it can be done as part of the inspection. Parts 
would cost $173 for a total cost of $173 per helicopter.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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):

Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2013-0872; Directorate Identifier 
2013-SW-012-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, 
AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, EC225LP, and SA330J helicopters with a 
tail rotor control turnbuckle (turnbuckle), part number (P/N) 
330A27-5031-20, installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a turnbuckle. 
This condition could result in loss of the tail rotor control and 
subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 23, 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

    (1) For helicopters delivered before March 1, 2013, within 110 
hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever occurs first, and 
for helicopters delivered on or after March 1, 2013, within 12 
months, and thereafter for all helicopters at intervals not to 
exceed 12 months, using a light source visually inspect the 
tappings, middle hole, and external surface of each turnbuckle for 
corrosion or a crack. Indications of corrosion include dirt, a 
bulge, faded paint, a powdery deposit, or a pit that is white or red 
in color.
    (i) If there is corrosion or a crack on the tappings or middle 
hole of the internal

[[Page 63431]]

surface of a turnbuckle, replace the turnbuckle before further 
flight.
    (ii) If there is a crack on the external surface of a 
turnbuckle, replace the turnbuckle before further flight.
    (iii) If there is corrosion on the external surface of the 
turnbuckle, remove the corrosion, recondition the surface, and 
measure the corrosion depth in accordance with paragraph 3.B.2.b.2 
of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. EC225-05A031, ASB No. 
AS332-05.00.95, or ASB No. SA330-05.98, all Revision 1 and all dated 
June 5, 2013, as applicable to your model helicopter, except that 
you are not required to interpret the results per ASB paragraph 
1.E.2.
    (A) If the measured corrosion depth is greater than 0.3 mm, 
replace the turnbuckle before further flight.
    (B) If the measured corrosion depth is 0.3 mm or less, do the 
following:
    (1) Before further flight, treat the turnbuckle for corrosion in 
accordance with paragraph 3.B.2.c of ASB No. EC225-05A031, ASB No. 
AS332-05.00.95, or ASB No. SA330-05.98, as applicable to your model 
helicopter.
    (2) Within 6 months from when the turnbuckle is treated for 
corrosion, replace the turnbuckle.
    (2) After installation of a turnbuckle, P/N 330A27-5031-20, with 
greater than 0 hours TIS, before next flight accomplish the actions 
of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(f) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

 (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
robert.grant@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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0081, dated March 26, 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: 6700, Rotorcraft 
Flight Control.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on September 27, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-24942 Filed 10-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P