[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 204 (Friday, October 22, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65222-65224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26565]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0611; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-18-AD;
Amendment 39-16487; AD 2010-22-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 350 B, BA,
B1, B2, B3, and D, and Model AS355 E, F, F1, F2, and N Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
Eurocopter France Model AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D, and Model
AS355 E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, with certain main rotor servo-
controls and tail rotor servo-controls. This AD requires replacing all
servo-controls that are identified in the Applicability section of this
AD. This AD is prompted by an internal review conducted by the
manufacturer which revealed that some main and tail rotor servo-
controls do not conform to the approved design. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent the distributor slide valve jamming
in its sleeve, leading to reduced controllability of the rotors and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective November 26, 2010.
ADDRESSES: 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.
Examining the Docket: You may examine the docket that contains this
AD, any comments, and other information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Docket Operations office, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. R. Holton, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group,
ASW-111, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817)
222-4964, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the Eurocopter France
Model AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D, and Model AS355 E, F, F1, F2,
and N helicopters on June 9, 2010. That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on June 16, 2010 (75 FR 34062). That NPRM proposed to
require replacing all servo-controls that are identified in the
Applicability section of the proposed AD. The NPRM was prompted by an
internal review conducted by the manufacturer which revealed that some
main and tail rotor servo-controls do not conform to the approved
design. The actions specified by the NPRM are intended to prevent the
distributor slide valve jamming in its sleeve, leading to reduced
controllability of the rotors and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent
[[Page 65223]]
for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Emergency AD No. 2007-0141-E, dated May 21, 2007, to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Eurocopter France Model AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2,
B3, and D, and Model AS355 E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters. EASA
advises that ``an internal review revealed that some main and tail
rotor servo-controls do not conform to the approved design. This
results in a greater play in the input lever bearing which could lead
to off-centered lever/distributor slide valve. If not corrected, this
condition could jam the distributor slide valve in its sleeve,
contributing to reduced controllability of the rotors.''
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No.
01.00.58, applicable to Model AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D
helicopters, and EASB No. 01.00.53, applicable to Model AS355 E, F, F1,
F2, and N helicopters, both Revision 1 and both dated April 19, 2007,
``to preclude the risk of jamming of the distributor slide valve in its
sleeve, due to excessive play in the bearing of the servo-control input
lever.'' Both EASB 01.00.58 and 01.00.53, along with 01.00.22 and
01.00.23 for various military model helicopters are contained in the
same EASB document. The EASA classified these EASBs as mandatory and
issued EASA Emergency AD No. 2007-0141-E, dated May 21, 2007, to ensure
the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.
FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination
These products 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, EASA, their technical
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in
the EASA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type
designs. This AD requires replacing all servo-controls with serial
numbers that are in the Applicability section of this AD.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
This AD does not require returning servo-controls to the
manufacturer for return to conformity. This AD does not require
inspecting for the existence of ``hard points'' in the flight controls
since this is accomplished during normal pre-flight run-up control
checks.
Comments
By publishing the NPRM, we gave the public an opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. However, we received no comment on
the NPRM or on our determination of the cost to the public. Therefore,
based on our review and evaluation of the available data, we have
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD as proposed, with one minor correction. Note 1 of the NPRM did not
contain the revision level and dates of the EASB; this AD corrects that
oversight. We have determined that this change neither increases the
economic burden on any operator nor increases the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect about 56 helicopters of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1.5 work-hours per
helicopter to replace a servo-control identified in the Applicability
section of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Required parts will cost about $16,500 per helicopter. Based on these
figures, we estimate that the cost of this AD on U.S. operators is
$931,140 for the entire fleet, or $16,628 per helicopter.
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 AD docket 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 adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
2010-22-08 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-16487; Docket No. FAA-
2010-0611; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-18-AD.
Applicability: Model AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D, and Model
AS355 E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, with a main rotor or tail
rotor servo-control identified in Table 1, installed, certificated
in any category.
Table 1
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Component Part No. (P/N) Serial No. (S/N)
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Main rotor servo-control............... P/N SC5083............................. S/N 270M, 272M, 409M, 423M,
452M, or 1573.
[[Page 65224]]
P/N SC5083-1........................... S/N 2902 through 2921,
inclusive.
P/N 5084............................... S/N 30, 84, 104, 186, 438,
575, or 695.
P/N 5084-1............................. S/N 1462 through 1481,
inclusive.
Tail rotor servo-control............... P/N SC5072............................. S/N 222M, 306M, or 309.
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Compliance: Required, as indicated.
To prevent the distributor slide valve jamming in its sleeve,
leading to reduced controllability of the rotors and subsequent loss
of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), or when a
``hard point'' is detected in the flight controls, whichever occurs
earlier, replace each installed servo control that has a serial
number listed in Table 1 of this AD, with an airworthy servo
control.
Note 1: Eurocopter EASB No. 01.00.58 and No. 01.00.53, both
Revision 1, and dated April 19, 2007, which are not incorporated by
reference, contain additional information about the subject of this
AD.
(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 Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft
Directorate, FAA, ATTN: J. R. Holton, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Group, ASW-111, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort
Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-4964, fax (817) 222-5961,
for information about previously approved alternative methods of
compliance.
(c) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6730:
Rotorcraft Servo System.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 2010.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in European
Aviation Safety Agency (France) Emergency AD No. 2007-0141-E, dated
May 21, 2007.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 12, 2010.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-26565 Filed 10-21-10; 8:45 am]
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