[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 6, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24856-24858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9799]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0489; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-59-AD;
Amendment 39-15507; AD 2008-10-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC120B
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 EC120B helicopters. This AD results from
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on a helicopter. The aviation authority of France, with which
we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) follows upon the discovery of
a batch of spherical thrust bearings which prove to be unfit for
flight.
This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe
condition caused by the manufacture of a batch of spherical thrust
bearings that are not airworthy because they were not manufactured in
accordance with an approved type design. Failure of a spherical thrust
bearing during flight could cause the main rotor (M/R) system to
separate from the helicopter, which would be catastrophic.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on May 21, 2008.
We must receive comments on this AD by July 7, 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.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from
[[Page 24857]]
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas
75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527.
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: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5130, 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 Direction generale de l'aviation civile France (DGAC), the
Airworthiness Authority of the State of Design, has issued an MCAI for
the affected helicopters in the form of DGAC Airworthiness Directive
No. F-2006-040, dated February 15, 2006 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for this French-
certificated helicopter. The MCAI states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) follows upon the discovery of
a batch of spherical thrust bearings which prove to be unfit for
flight.
These are critical parts that retain the main rotor to the M/R hub and
flexes to allow the M/R blades to pitch. We were previously informed by
the manufacturer that all affected spherical thrust bearings had been
recovered by Eurocopter France. However, we recently learned that some
affected spherical thrust bearings have not been recovered and may
still be installed on some helicopters.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI and
service information in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 04A006, dated
January 27, 2006. The actions described in the MCAI are intended to
correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in the alert
telex.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
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, the State of Design, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. 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 helicopters of the same type design.
Differences Between the AD and the MCAI
We have reviewed the MCAI and agree with it. Therefore, there are
no differences.
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 we
were previously informed by the manufacturer that all affected
spherical thrust bearings had been recovered by Eurocopter France.
However, we recently learned that some affected spherical thrust
bearings have not been recovered and may still be installed on some
helicopters. Failure of a spherical thrust bearing during flight could
cause the M/R system to separate from the helicopter, which would be
catastrophic. 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-2008-0489; Directorate
Identifier 2007-SW-59-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.
Cost of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect about 96 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. However, the cost of the inspection to determine if one of
the affected spherical thrust bearings is installed is negligible. For
affected helicopters, we estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours
per helicopter to remove and replace a spherical thrust bearing. The
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about
$4,500 per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of
this AD on U.S. operators to be $19,280 for the entire fleet, assuming
that the 4 spherical thrust bearings are replaced, or $4,820 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.
[[Page 24858]]
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, 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:
2008-10-01 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-15507. Docket No. FAA-
2008-0489; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-59-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on May
21, 2008.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model EC120B helicopters, with spherical
thrust bearings, part number 7050A3622036, serial number LK0130,
LK0142, LK0155, and LK0158, installed, certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) follows upon the discovery of
a batch of spherical thrust bearings which prove to be unfit for
flight.
This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe
condition caused by the manufacture of a batch of spherical thrust
bearings that are not airworthy because they were not manufactured
in accordance with approved type design. Failure of a spherical
thrust bearing during flight could cause the main rotor (M/R) system
to separate from the helicopter, which would be catastrophic.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Before further flight, remove any spherical thrust bearing,
part number 7050A3622036, serial numbers LK0130, LK0142, LK0155, or
LK0158, and replace it with an airworthy spherical thrust bearing.
Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI
(f) None.
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 6220, Main
Rotor Hub.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(h) The following information also applies to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 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: Gary
Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111,
telephone (817) 222-5130, 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 ensure the helicopter 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
(i) Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information Direction
generale de l'aviation civile Airworthiness Directive No. F-2006-
040, dated February 15, 2006, contains related information.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 23, 2008.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-9799 Filed 5-5-08; 8:45 am]
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