[Federal Register: February 10, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 27)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 7056-7057]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10fe05-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20289; Directorate Identifier 2003-SW-55-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC120
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive
(AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC120 helicopters. This
proposal would require inspecting the tail rotor drive shaft (drive
shaft) damper half-clamps (half-clamps) to determine if they are
centered on the friction ring, and if not correctly positioned,
centering the half-clamps on the friction ring. This proposal is
prompted by the discovery of half-clamps that were incorrectly
positioned. This condition, if not detected, could result in
interference of the two half-clamps with the drive shaft, which could
result in scoring on the drive shaft, failure of the drive shaft, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 11, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed 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 proposed AD
from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie,
Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527.
You may examine the comments to this proposed AD in the AD docket
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Haight, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, Fort Worth,
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5204, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to the address listed
under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
20289, Directorate Identifier 2003-SW-55-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed 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 proposed rulemaking. 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 or
signed 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.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any
comments, and other information in person at the Docket Management
System (DMS) Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-
647-5227) is located at the plaza level of the Department of
Transportation NASSIF Building in Room PL-401 at 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Washington, DC. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
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 EC120B helicopters. The DGAC
advises of the discovery of a case of incorrect drive shaft damper
positioning, which led to interference of the two half-clamps with the
drive shaft tube and caused a score on the drive shaft.
Eurocopter has issued Alert Telex No. 65A004, Revision 1, dated
January 27, 2004, which specifies re-positioning of the drive shaft
damper, if necessary. The DGAC classified this alert telex as mandatory
and issued AD No. UF-2003-465, dated December 22, 2003, and AD No. F-
2003-465(A), dated January 21, 2004, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these helicopters in France.
This helicopter model is manufactured in France and is 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 us informed of the
situation described above. We have examined the findings of the DGAC,
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
[[Page 7057]]
This previously described unsafe condition is likely to exist or
develop on other helicopters of the same type design registered in the
United States. Therefore, the proposed AD would require, for Eurocopter
Model EC120B helicopters, serial number 1362 and below, a one-time
inspection of the half-clamps to determine if they are centered on the
friction ring, and if they are not, centering the half-clamps on the
friction ring. The actions would have to be accomplished within 50
hours time-in-service (TIS) for helicopters with 500 or more hours TIS;
or no later than 550 hours TIS for helicopters with less than 500 hours
TIS, in accordance with the alert telex described previously.
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 78 helicopters of
U.S. registry. The one-time inspection would take approximately 2 work
hours to accomplish, and the modification would take 6 work hours, at
an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required modification parts
would cost approximately $180 per helicopter. Based on these figures,
we estimate the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators
would be $14,700, assuming 8 helicopters would need modification.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, 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 above, I certify that the 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); 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 a draft economic evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the DMS to examine the draft economic
evaluation.
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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2005-20289; Directorate Identifier
2003-SW-55-AD.
Applicability: Model EC120B helicopters, serial number 1362 and
below, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) for
helicopters with 500 or more hours TIS; or no later than 550 hours
TIS for helicopters with less than 500 hours TIS, unless
accomplished previously.
To detect incorrect positioning of the tail rotor drive shaft
(drive shaft) damper half-clamps (half-clamps), and to prevent
interference of the half-clamps with the drive shaft, which could
result in scoring on the drive shaft, failure of the drive shaft,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Inspect the half-clamps, part number C651A4103201 or
C651A4103202, to determine if they are centered on the friction
ring, using the Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B., of Eurocopter
Alert Telex No. 65A004, Revision 1, dated January 27, 2004 (Alert
Telex). If the half-clamps are not centered on the friction ring,
center the half-clamps on the friction ring in accordance with the
Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B, and Rework Sheet No. EC 120-
53-02-04 in Appendix 1 of the Alert Telex.
(b) 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.
(c) Special flight permits will not be issued.
Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale
De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. UF-2003-465, dated December 22,
2003, and AD No. F-2003-465, Revision A, dated January 21, 2004.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 1, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-2586 Filed 2-9-05; 8:45 am]
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