[Federal Register: February 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 29)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7382-7384]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14fe05-4]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20294; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-39-AD;
Amendment 39-13965; AD 2005-03-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 155B,
EC155B1, SA-360C, SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-
365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
the specified Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model helicopters. This
action requires an initial and repetitive borescope inspection of the
main gearbox (MGB) planet gear carrier or an initial and repetitive
visual inspection of the MGB planet gear carrier for a crack. Replacing
any MGB that has a cracked planet gear carrier is required before
further flight. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of cracks
in the web of the planet gear carrier. The actions specified in this AD
are intended to detect a crack in the web of the planet gear carrier,
which could lead to a MGB seizure and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: Effective March 1, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 1, 2005.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before April 15, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD:
DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically;
Government-Wide Rulemaking Web Site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically;
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590;
Fax: (202) 493-2251; or
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You may get the service information identified in this AD from
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas
75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. You may
examine this 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: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments, and
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person
at the Docket Management System (DMS) Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the
Department of Transportation Nassif Building at the street address
stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Uday Garadi, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5123, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment adopts a new AD for
Eurocopter Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-360C, SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-
365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1. This
action requires an initial and repetitive borescope inspection of the
MGB planet gear carrier or an initial and repetitive visual inspection
of the MGB planet gear carrier for a crack. Replacing any MGB that has
a cracked planet gear carrier is required before further flight. This
amendment is prompted by the discovery of cracks in the web of the
[[Page 7383]]
planet gear carrier. This condition, if not detected and corrected,
could lead to a MGB seizure and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
This AD is an interim action; the manufacturer and the FAA are
continuing to collect information concerning the formation of these
cracks. We will consider further rulemaking once we determine the cause
of these cracks.
The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on Eurocopter Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA 365 N and
N1, AS 365 N2 and N3, SA 366 G1, SA 365 C, C1, C2, and C3, SA 360
helicopters. The DGAC advises of cases of cracks that were discovered
in the web of the planet gear carrier of the MGB. The DGAC advises that
rupture of the web of the planet gear carrier can lead to seizure of
the MGB.
Eurocopter has issued Alert Telex Nos. 05.00.48, 05.33, 05.26, and
05A007, dated December 16, 2004. The alert telex specifies performing
periodic borescope inspections of the MGB planet gear carrier at
regular intervals to make sure that there is no crack in the web. The
manufacturer states that a periodic borescope inspection is mandatory,
so that a crack, if any, can be detected before it generates any chips
which can be found on the magnetic plug. The DGAC classified this alert
telex as mandatory and issued AD UF-2004-194, effective December 17,
2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in
France.
These helicopter models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to the
applicable bilateral agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of these type designs that are certificated
for operation in the United States.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of the same type designs. Therefore, this AD is being
issued to detect a crack in the web of the planet gear carrier, which
could lead to a MGB seizure and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter. This AD requires the following:
For a MGB that has less than 250 hours time-in-service
(TIS) since new or last overhaul, borescope inspecting or visually
inspecting the web of the planet gear carrier for a crack. The
inspections must be done on or before the MGB reaches 265 hours TIS and
then at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS.
For a MGB that has 250 or more hours TIS since new or
since last overhaul, borescope inspecting or visually inspecting the
web of the planet gear carrier for a crack. The inspections must be
done within 15 hours TIS and then at intervals not to exceed 50 hours
TIS.
For any MGB that has a cracked planet gear carrier,
replacing the MGB with an airworthy MGB before further flight.
The inspections shall be done using the Alert Telex described
previously. The short compliance time involved is required because the
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the
structural integrity and controllability of the helicopter. Fifty hours
TIS equates to approximately 30 days of operations for these model
helicopters. Therefore, because of the short compliance time, this AD
must be issued immediately.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
We estimate that this AD will affect 145 helicopters. Each
borescope inspection will take approximately 1 work hour and each
visual inspection will take approximately 12 hours. Replacing the MGB,
if necessary, will take approximately 16 work hours. The average labor
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$68,780 per main gearbox. Based on these figures, the total cost impact
of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,534,280, assuming
that a borescope inspection is done on the entire fleet 12 times a
year, that no visual inspection is done, and that 49 MGBs are replaced.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send or deliver your comments to
an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20294;
Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-39-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light
of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of our docket
Web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You may
review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov
.
Regulatory Findings
We have 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 the 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); and
3. 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. See the DMS to examine the economic evaluation.
Authority for This Rulemaking
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 III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged 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 AD.
[[Page 7384]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
2005-03-09 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13965. Docket No. FAA-
2005-20294; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-39-AD.
Applicability: Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-360C, SA-365C, SA-
365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-
366G1 helicopters, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated in the following table, unless
accomplished previously.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a main gearbox (MGB) that has: Inspect:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Less than 250 hours time-in-service On or before the MGB reaches
(TIS) since new or last overhaul. 265 hours TIS and then at
intervals not to exceed 50
hours TIS.
(2) 250 or more hours TIS since new or Within 15 hours TIS and then at
last overhaul. intervals not to exceed 50
hours TIS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To detect a crack in the web of the planet gear carrier, which
could lead to a main gearbox (MGB) seizure and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Either borescope inspect the web of the MGB planet gear
carrier for a crack in accordance with the Operational Procedure,
paragraph 2.B.1., of Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 05.00.48, 05.33,
05.26, and 05A007, dated December 16, 2004 (Alert Telex) or visually
inspect the MGB planet gear carrier in accordance with the
Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B.3., of the Alert Telex.
(b) If a crack is found in the planet gear carrier, replace the
MGB with an airworthy MGB before further flight.
(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
for information about previously approved alternative methods of
compliance.
(d) The inspections shall be done in accordance with Eurocopter
Alert Telex No. 05.00.48, 05.33, 05.26, and 05A007, dated December
16, 2004. The Director of the Federal Register approved this
incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1
CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from American Eurocopter
Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005,
telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. Copies may be
inspected 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: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 1, 2005.
Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale
de L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. UF-2004-194, effective December
17, 2004.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 1, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-2585 Filed 2-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P