Adoption of the Amendment
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 airworthiness directive (AD):
2013-23-11 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-17666; Docket No. FAA- 2013-0487; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-056-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as loss of tightening torque of a bolt that secures the front and rear main gearbox (MGB) suspension bar attaching fittings, which can change the loads on the frames and cause cracking. This condition could lead to failure of theMGB supporting structure, detachment of the MGB, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective December 30, 2013.
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.
(e) Required Actions
(1) Within 500 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 825 hours TIS, inspect the tightening torque of each bolt that secures the front and rear MGB attaching fitting by using as reference Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05.00.65, Revision 0, dated March 28, 2006, for the Model AS332L2 helicopters; and ASB No. 05A002, Revision 1, dated December 6, 2007, for the Model EC225LP helicopters.
(2) If the loss of tightening torque of a nut is less than or equal to 20 percent of the minimum tightening torque, before further flight, readjust the tightening torque.
(3) If the loss of tightening torque of any nut (front or rear) is greater than 20 percent of the minimum tightening torque, before further flight:
(i) Inspect each bolt and nut that secures the attachment fitting for a crack, and
(ii) Inspect for a crack in the attachment area of the attachment fitting, the attachment plate, and Frame 3855 for the front fitting and Frame 5295 for the rear fitting.
(A) If no crack exists, readjust the tightening torque.
(B) If there is a crack in any nut or bolt, before further flight, replace all four nuts and bolts of the affected attachment fitting.
(C) If there is a crack in the attachment area of the attachment fitting or the attachment plate, before further flight, replace the cracked attachment fitting or plate with an airworthy fitting or plate.
(D) If there is a crack in Frame 3855 for the front fitting or Frame 5295 for the rear fitting, before further flight, repair or replace the frame.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222- 5110; email
[email protected].
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or
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lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(g) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2006-0163 R1, dated December 13, 2007. You may view the EASA AD at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2013-0487.
(h) SubjectJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6330, Main Rotor Transmission Mount.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.65, Revision 0, dated March 28, 2006.
(ii) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 05A002, Revision 1, dated December 6, 2007.
(3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD, contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference 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.
