[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 93 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27956-27958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11882]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0453; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-16-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland Model EC135
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) Model EC135 helicopters. This proposed AD
results from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD
issued by the aviation authority of the Federal Republic of Germany,
with which we have a bilateral agreement, to identify and correct an
unsafe condition. The MCAI AD states that in the past, the FADEC FAIL
caution light illuminated on a few EC135 T1 helicopters. They state
that this was caused by a discrepancy in the parameters which were
generated within the fuel main metering unit and transmitted to the
FADEC. This discrepancy led to the display of the FADEC FAIL caution
light and ``freezing'' of the fuel main metering valve at its position
resulting in loss of the automatic engine control in the affected
system. With the EASA AD, a synchronization procedure for pilots, which
was already used in the past, is being re-introduced, which prevents
the parameter discrepancy arising and thus sustains the automatic
engine control.
The proposed AD actions are intended to prevent failure of the
FADEC to automatically meter fuel, indicated by a FADEC FAIL cockpit
caution light, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 13, 2011.
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 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 proposed 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: Eric Haight, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort
Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5204, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0453;
Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-16-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on 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 proposed AD.
Discussion
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, which is the aviation authority for the
Federal Republic of Germany, has issued AD No. 2002-333, dated
September 16, 2002, to correct an unsafe condition for this German-
certificated product. The MCAI AD states that in the past, the FADEC
FAIL caution light illuminated on a few EC135 T1 helicopters. They
state that this was caused by a discrepancy in the parameters which
were generated within the fuel main metering unit and transmitted to
the FADEC. This discrepancy led to the display of the FADEC FAIL
caution light and ``freezing'' of the fuel main metering valve at its
position resulting in loss of the automatic engine control in the
affected system. Despite measures undertaken by Turbomeca to eliminate
this problem (software improvements TU19C, TU23C and TU45C), additional
FADEC FAIL cases have occurred on EC 135 T1 helicopters for which no
explanation has been found. Therefore, a discrepancy in the parameters
similar to those in the past cannot be ruled out. With this proposed
AD, a synchronization procedure for pilots, which was already used in
the past, is being re-introduced, which prevents the parameter
discrepancy arising and thus sustains the automatic engine control. To
date, there is no terminating action to this required manual pilot
synchronization procedure.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI AD and the
service information in the AD docket.
Related Service Information
ECD has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-71A-024, dated
August 6, 2002 (ASB). The ASB contains copies of special information to
be inserted into the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for synchronizing
fuel control components for sustaining automatic engine control. The
ASB specifies making copies of the RFM pages contained in the ASB,
cutting them out, and filing them in the RFM. The actions described in
the MCAI AD are intended to correct the same unsafe condition as that
identified in this service information.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This model helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority
of the Federal Republic of Germany and is approved for operation in the
United States. Pursuant to our bilateral
[[Page 27957]]
agreement with that State of Design Authority, we have been notified of
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI AD and service information.
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information
and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD
We use a 50-hour TIS compliance time rather than before further
flight as used in the MCAI AD. Also, the MCAI AD states to follow the
ASB and insert pages into the RFM. We did not follow the ASB, which
requires the RFM information to be filed in the Section 4, Normal
Procedures, of the RFM. To make compliance with the information
mandatory, we are requiring that it be inserted into the Section 2,
Limitations Section of the RFM.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 20 helicopters
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about \1/2\ work-
hour to copy and insert the synchronization procedure into the RFM. The
average labor rate is $85 per hour. We estimate the cost of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $850.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Eurocopter Deutschland: Docket No. FAA-2011-0453; Directorate
Identifier 2008-SW-16-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by June 13, 2011.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model EC135 helicopters with Turbomeca
Arrius 2B or 2B1 engines installed, certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD
states that in the past, the FADEC FAIL caution light illuminated on
a few EC135 T1 helicopters. They state that this was caused by a
discrepancy in the parameters which were generated within the fuel
main metering unit and transmitted to the FADEC. This discrepancy
led to the display of the FADEC FAIL caution light and ``freezing''
of the fuel main metering valve at its position resulting in loss of
the automatic engine control in the affected system. A discrepancy
in the parameters similar to those in the past cannot be ruled out.
With this AD, a synchronization procedure for pilots is being re-
introduced, which prevents the parameter discrepancy arising and
thus sustains the automatic engine control.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless already done,
either insert the following procedure by making pen and ink changes
to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) or by inserting a copy of this
AD into the Limitations Section of the RFM.
``SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR OEI/AUTOROTATION TRAINING AND
APPROACH/LANDING PREPARATION
In order to prevent a malfunction, which could lead to a FADEC
FAIL indication, the following procedure is mandatory:
The procedure shown below must be performed while in a steady
flight condition and at a safe altitude:
--Before initiation of every approach (with or without landing)
--During training of OEI or Autorotation before every switch-over to
IDLE
CAUTION: DURING THE RESET PROCEDURE DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING,
NO INPUTS ARE TO BE MADE TO THE COLLECTIVE LEVER OR TO THE TWIST
GRIP FOR MANUAL ENGINE CONTROL, SINCE THIS CAN LEAD TO AN
INEFFECTIVE SYNCHRONIZATION.
The reset procedure is identical for each of two systems and is
to be applied for both engines, one after the other.
Procedure
1. ENG MODE SEL switch--Set from NORM TO MAN
After illumination of the ENG MANUAL caution:
2. ENG MODE SEL switch--Set from MAN to NORM: ENG MANUAL caution
must go off
Repeat procedure for second engine.''
Differences Between This FAA AD and the MCAI AD
(f) We use a 50-hour TIS compliance time rather than before
further flight. Also, the MCAI AD states to follow the ASB and
insert pages into the RFM. We did not follow the ASB, which requires
the RFM information to be filed in the Section 4, Normal Procedures,
of the RFM. To make compliance with the information mandatory, we
are requiring that it be inserted into the Section 2, Limitations
Section of the RFM.
Other Information
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, ATTN: Eric
Haight, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Guidance Group,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-
5204, fax (817) 222-5961, has the authority to approve AMOCs, if
requested, for this AD using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) MCAI AD 2002-333, dated September 16, 2002, contains related
information.
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code
(i) The ATA Code is 7600: Engine Controls.
[[Page 27958]]
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on April 28, 2011.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-11882 Filed 5-12-11; 8:45 am]
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