[Federal Register: January 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 18)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4683-4685]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28ja08-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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[[Page 4683]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0043; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-31-AD;
Amendment 39-15340; AD 2008-02-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 355 F2 and
AS 355 N Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter France Model AS 355 F2 and AS 355 N helicopters. This AD
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The European Aviation Safety Agency,
the Technical Agent for France, with which we have a bilateral
agreement, states in the MCAI:
This emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following
a report of yaw control restricted travel in operation following the
replacement of the load compensator. If not corrected, this
condition could lead to the loss of control of the helicopter.
This AD requires actions that are intended to address this unsafe
condition.
DATES: This AD becomes effective February 12, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 67.00.29,
Revision 1, dated April 27, 2007, as of February 12, 2008.
We must receive comments on this AD by March 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 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 http://
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 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, Fort Worth, Texas
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5355, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain language principles.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2007-0131-E, dated May 11, 2007 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for these
French-certificated helicopters. The MCAI states:
This emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following
a report of yaw control restricted travel in operation following the
replacement of the load compensator. If not corrected, this
condition could lead to the loss of control of the helicopter.
Investigation revealed that the load compensator lever was
incorrectly referenced in the Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC).
Levers on helicopters Post-MOD 072065 (replacement of the load
compensator hydraulic actuator) should be Part Number (P/N) 355A27-
0082-00 and levers on helicopters Pre-MOD 072065 should be P/N
355A27-0072-00. This AD mandates inspection to identify the load
compensator lever and the hydraulic actuator assembly installed on
helicopters, to verify their compatibility and replacement of
improper P/Ns when an incompatibility is found.
The installation of an incompatible load compensator lever in a Pre-Mod
072065 helicopter may cause control travel restrictions while the
installation of an incompatible load compensator lever in a Post-Mod
072065 helicopter may cause increased control loads in the yaw control
pedals. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI and
service information in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.
67.00.29, Revision 1, dated April 27, 2007. The actions described in
the MCAI are intended to correct the same unsafe condition as that
identified in the service information.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of France,
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, we have been
notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
[[Page 4684]]
and service information. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated
all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. However, the requirements of this
AD must be accomplished within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of
this AD. The MCAI requires accomplishment before next flight.
Additionally, this AD requires that components with bore diameters
outside the tolerances specified in the ASB be replaced with airworthy
components with bore diameters within the specified tolerances instead
of contacting the manufacturer for a ``suitable repair solution.''
These differences are highlighted in the ``Differences Between the
FAA AD and the MCAI'' section in the AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
installation of an incompatible load compensator lever may result in
restricted yaw control travel or increased control loads in the yaw
control pedals and the incompatibility must be corrected within 10
hours TIS. Therefore, 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 fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0043; Directorate
Identifier 2007-SW-31-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect about 36 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take about .25 work-hour to
inspect the helicopter and 10 work-hours to replace a load compensator
lever, if needed. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required
parts will cost about $1,161 for a load compensator lever, P/N 355A27-
0072-00, or $862 for a load compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S.
operators to be $720 to inspect, or $20 per product, assuming no load
compensation levers are replaced.
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 above, I certify this AD:
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 and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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 AD:
2008-02-10 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-15340. Docket No. FAA-
2008-0043; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-31-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February
12, 2008.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Eurocopter Model AS 355 F2 and AS 355 N
helicopters, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
This emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued following
a report of yaw control restricted travel in operation following the
replacement of the load compensator. If not corrected, this
condition could lead to the loss of control of the helicopter.
Investigation revealed that the load compensator lever was
incorrectly referenced in the Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC).
Levers on helicopters Post-MOD 072065 (replacement of the load
compensator hydraulic actuator) should be Part Number (P/N) 355A27-
0082-00 and levers on helicopters Pre-MOD 072065 should be P/N
355A27-0072-00. This AD mandates inspection to identify the load
compensator lever and the hydraulic actuator assembly installed on
helicopters, to verify their compatibility and replacement of
improper P/Ns when an incompatibility is found.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following:
[[Page 4685]]
(1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), determine
the part number (P/N) and the compatibility of the load compensator
lever (compensator level) and the hydraulic actuator assembly
(hydraulic actuator) in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraphs 2.B.1. through 2.B.2.c. of Eurocopter AS
355 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 67.00.29, Revision 1, April
27, 2007 (ASB).
Note: Instead of inspecting the rotorcraft, a review of the
helicopter maintenance records along with any other applicable data
(rotorcraft logbook, components list, etc.) is acceptable if each P/
N can be positively determined from that review.
(2) For helicopters, Pre-Mod 072065, with an incompatible
hydraulic actuator, P/N 355A75-1370-01 or P/N 355A75-1370-03, and
compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00:
(i) If the helicopter has NOT been operated with compensator
lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00, installed, replace the compensator lever
before further flight with an airworthy compensator lever, P/N
355A27-0072-00.
(ii) If the helicopter has been operated with compensator lever,
P/N 355A27-0082-00, installed, within the next 10 hours time-in-
service (TIS):
(A) Remove the load compensator assembly and the compensator
lever, measure the diameters of the bores, inspect the swivel
bearings, replace the specified hydraulic actuator components and
the incompatible compensator lever and install the load compensator
assembly in accordance with the applicable steps in the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3.b. of the ASB.
(B) If the diameter of a bore is greater than the tolerances
specified in the applicable steps in the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3.b., of the ASB, replace each part that
contains an out-of-tolerance bore diameter with an airworthy part
that contains a bore diameter that is within the specified
tolerances.
(3) For helicopters, Post-MOD 072065, with an incompatible
hydraulic actuator, P/N 355A75-1370-02 or P/N 355A75-1370-04, and
compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00:
(i) If the helicopter has NOT been operated with compensator
lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00, installed, replace the compensator lever
before further flight with an airworthy compensator lever, P/N
355A27-0082-00.
(ii) If the helicopter has been operated with compensator lever,
P/N 355A27-0072-00, installed, within the next 10 hours TIS, replace
the compensator lever with an airworthy compensator lever, P/N
355A27-0082-00, and inspect the bolts in accordance with the
applicable steps in the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph
2.B.3.b.of the ASB.
(f) No person shall install a:
(1) Load compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0082-00, on any Model AS
355 N or AS 355 F2 helicopter Pre-MOD 072065, with hydraulic
actuator assembly, P/N 355A75-1370-01 or P/N 355A75-1370-03; or a
(2) Load compensator lever, P/N 355A27-0072-00, on any Model AS
355 N or AS 355 F2 helicopter Post-MOD 072065, with hydraulic
actuator assembly, P/N 355A75-1370-02 or P/N 355A75-1370-04.
Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI
(g) The requirements of this AD must be accomplished within 10
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. The MCAI requires
accomplishment before next flight. Additionally, this AD requires
that components with bore diameters outside the tolerances specified
in the ASB be replaced with airworthy components with bore diameters
within the specified tolerances instead of contacting the
manufacturer for a ``suitable repair solution.''
Subject
(h) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 6730,
Rotorcraft Servo System.
Other Information
(i) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Send information to ATTN: Ed Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA,
Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, Fort Worth, Texas
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5355, fax (817) 222-5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAA-approved corrective actions.
Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved
by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent) if the
State of Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement with the
United States. You are required to assure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(j) MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency
Airworthiness Directive No. 2007-0131-E, dated May 11, 2007,
contains related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service
Bulletin No. 67.00.29, Revision 1, dated April 27, 2007, under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(l) For the Eurocopter service information identified in this
AD, contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-
3527.
(m) You may review copies of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service
Bulletin No. 67.00.29, Revision 1, dated April 27, 2007, at the FAA,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas or 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 28, 2007.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1019 Filed 1-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P