[Federal Register: May 17, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 94)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 28188-28190]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17my05-6]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20293; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-34-AD;
Amendment 39-14091; AD 2005-10-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS355E, F, F1,
F2, and N Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. That
AD currently requires replacing certain main or combiner gearboxes with
airworthy gearboxes. Further investigation has shown that the main
gearbox is not affected, and this amendment requires replacing a
certain combiner gearbox with a modified airworthy gearbox. This
amendment is prompted by a report of a freewheel unit slipping
resulting in an engine overspeed and shutdown. Also, this amendment is
prompted by the conclusion of the investigation, which finds the
freewheel slippage is due to the surface treatment applied to certain
freewheel rollers in the combiner gearbox. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent an engine overspeed, an engine
shutdown, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective June 21, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Examining the Docket: You may examine the docket that
contains this AD, any comments, and other information on the Internet
at http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management System (DMS), U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, on
[[Page 28189]]
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
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: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 by
superseding AD 2004-01-51, Amendment 39-13495, Docket No. 2003-SW-56-AD
(69 FR 9201, February 27, 2004), for the specified ECF model
helicopters was published in the Federal Register on February 10, 2005
(70 FR 7059). The action proposed to require, before further flight,
replacing each combiner gearbox pre-MOD 077212 that has logged 10 hours
or less time-in-service with a combiner gearbox modified by replacing
the free-wheel rollers.
The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on the specified model helicopters. The DGAC
advises of a combiner gearbox freewheel slippage with resulting engine
shutdown due to overspeed, which occurred during the single-engine
phase of an acceptance flight at the Eurocopter works.
ECF has issued Alert Telex No. 63.00.21 R2, dated February 4, 2004
(AT 63.00.21 R2). The Alert Telex describes the conclusion of the
investigation that the freewheel slippage is due to the surface
treatment applied to freewheel rollers, pre-MOD 077212. The freewheel
rollers are located in the combiner gearbox; therefore, the main
gearbox has been eliminated as the cause of this unsafe condition. The
results of the investigation led ECF to cancel the cleaning procedure
described in Alert Telex No. 63.00.21 R1, dated December 19, 2003, but
to extend the effectivity of their instructions to all combiner
gearboxes. Also, Alert Telex 63.00.21 R2 specifies modifying the
combiner gearboxes at an approved repair station by replacing the
freewheel rollers and after that recording the modification on the
Equipment Log Card. The DGAC classified AT 63.00.21 R2 as mandatory and
issued AD F-2004-021, dated March 3, 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.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the
adoption of the rule as proposed.
The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 104 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The required actions will take about \1/2\ work hour to
determine applicability and 12 work hours to replace a gearbox at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour per helicopter. Required parts
will cost approximately $97,000 per helicopter. Based on these figures,
we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be
$981,180, assuming 10 gearboxes are replaced.
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
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.
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 removing Amendment 39-13495 (69 FR 9201,
February 27, 2004), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD),
to read as follows:
2005-10-14 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-14091 . Docket No. FAA-
2005-20293; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-34-AD. Supersedes AD
2004-01-51, Amendment 39-13495, Docket No. 2003-SW-56-AD.
Applicability: Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters with a
pre-MOD 077212 combiner gearbox that has 10 or less hours time-in-
service installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Before further flight, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent an engine overspeed, an engine shutdown, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Before further flight, replace each pre-MOD 077212 combiner
gearbox with a combiner gearbox modified by replacing the freewheel
rollers in accordance with MOD 077212.
Note 1:
Eurocopter France Alert Telex No. 63.00.21 R2, dated February 4,
2004, pertains to the subject AD.
(b) Performing paragraph (a) of this AD is terminating action
for the requirements of this AD.
(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, FAA, for information about
previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(d) Special flight permits will not be issued.
[[Page 28190]]
(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 21, 2005.
Note 2:
The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale de
L'Aviation Civile, France, AD No. F-2004-021, dated March 3, 2004.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 9, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9766 Filed 5-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P