[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 50 (Thursday, March 14, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16196-16198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05872]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 50 / Thursday, March 14, 2013 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 16196]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0239; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-087-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 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 all
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) EC 135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+
helicopters equipped with a certain main transmission housing upper
part. This proposed AD would require installing a corrugated washer in
the middle of the main transmission filter housing upper part and
modifying the main transmission housing upper part. This proposed AD is
prompted by an inspection of housing upper parts that revealed the
bypass inlet in the oil filter area was not manufactured in accordance
with applicable design specifications. The proposed actions are
intended to prevent failure of the main transmission and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 13, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address 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 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 service information identified in this proposed 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. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued AD No.
2010-0213, dated October 14, 2010 (AD 2010-0213), to correct an unsafe
condition for the ECD model EC 135 and EC635 helicopters. EASA advises
that a recent inspection on some housing upper parts for the main
transmission FS108 revealed the bypass inlet in the oil filter area had
not been manufactured in accordance with the applicable design
specifications. EASA advises that this condition, if not detected and
corrected, could adversely affect the oil-filter bypass function, which
is essential for continued safe flight. The EASA AD requires a
temporary modification of the main transmission housing upper part by
installing a corrugated washer, and then a ``rework'' of the oil filter
area to bring the affected parts within the applicable design
specifications.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
the Republic of Germany and are approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with Germany, EASA, its
technical representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition
described in its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all
known relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Related Service Information
ECD has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) ASB EC135-63A-017,
Revision 0, dated October 11, 2010 (EC135-63A-017), which specifies
removing the oil filter element and installing a corrugated washer.
EC135-63A-017 also specifies reworking the affected filter housing
upper part at the next repair or major overhaul of the main
transmission, no later than 4,000 flight
[[Page 16197]]
hours after receipt of the service bulletin. EASA classified this ASB
as mandatory and issued AD 2010-0213 to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these helicopters.
We have also reviewed ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH Service Instruction
No. EC135FS108-1659-1009, dated September 14, 2010, which specifies
procedures for repairing the main transmission upper housing, and
includes dimensions and tolerances for machining the housing upper
part.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require compliance with specified portions
of the manufacturer's service information. This proposed AD would
require:
Within three months, installing a corrugated washer in the
filter housing of the housing upper part; and
Within 4,000 hours time-in-service, modifying each
affected main transmission housing upper part by machining the oil
filter bypass inlet.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD applies to Model EC 635 helicopters. The proposed AD
does not, as this model is not type-certificated in the U.S.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 227 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. Based on an average labor rate of $85 per work hour, we
estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to
comply with this proposed AD. Installing the corrugated washer would
require about .5 work hour, and required parts would cost about $10,
for a cost per helicopter of about $53, and a total cost to the U.S.
operator fleet of $12,031. Machining the housing upper part would
require about 5 work-hours and required parts would cost about $73, for
a total cost per helicopter of $498, and a total cost to U.S. operators
of $113,046.
According to the ECD ASB, some of the costs of this proposed AD may
be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by Eurocopter.
Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.
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, 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);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
4. 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, Incorporation by
reference, 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
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):
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2013-0239; Directorate
Identifier 2010-SW-087-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model EC135 P1,
P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters with a main transmission FS108
housing upper part, part number (P/N) 4649 301 034 and a serial
number listed in Table 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-
63A-017, Revision 0, dated October 11, 2010 (ASB EC135-63A-017),
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as an improperly
manufactured bypass inlet in the oil filter area. This condition
could adversely affect the oil-filter bypass function, resulting in
failure of the main transmission and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
(c) Reserved
(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 3 months, remove the oil filter element and install a
corrugated washer, P/N 0630100377, in the middle of the filter
housing of the housing upper part as depicted in Figure 2 of ASB
EC135-63A-017.
(2) Within 4,000 hours time-in-service or at the next main
transmission repair or overhaul, whichever occurs first, machine the
main transmission housing upper part in accordance with Annex A of
ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH Service Instruction No. EC135FS108-1659-
1009, dated September 14, 2010.
(3) Do not install a main transmission upper part, P/N 4649 301
034, on any helicopter unless it has been modified as required by
paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(2) of this AD.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management 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 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.
[[Page 16198]]
(g) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency AD No. 2010-0213, dated October 14, 2010.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320: Main Rotor
Gearbox.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 6, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05872 Filed 3-13-13; 8:45 am]
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