[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48599-48601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19158]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each
week.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 154 / Friday, August 9, 2013 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 48599]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-1285; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-073-AD;
Amendment 39-17544; AD 2013-16-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-
105LS A-1, BO-105LS A-3, and BO-105S helicopters. This AD requires
inspecting for debonding of the erosion protective shell (abrasion
strip) on the leading edge of each main rotor blade. This AD was
prompted by the discovery of abrasion strip debonding during an
inspection on one Model BO-105 helicopter and also by an incident on a
second Model BO-105 helicopter that lost its abrasion strip in-flight.
The actions of this AD are intended to detect debonding of the main
rotor blade abrasion strip, which could lead to an unbalanced main
rotor, high vibrations, damage to the tail boom or tail rotor, and loss
of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective September 13, 2013.
ADDRESSES: For 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. You may review the referenced
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
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 foreign authority AD, any
incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior 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:
Discussion
On December 6, 2011, at 76 FR 76068, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Eurocopter Model BO-
105A, BO-105C, BO-105LS A-1, BO-105LS A-3, and BO-105S helicopters. The
NPRM proposed to require, within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS),
inspecting for debonding of the abrasion strip along the leading edge
of certain part-numbered main rotor blades with a main rotor blade
abrasion strip that was replaced between September 2006 and March 2010.
If there is debonding in any area of the abrasion strip, the NPRM
proposed to require, before further flight, replacing the main rotor
blade.
On December 19, 2012, at 77 FR 75073, the Federal Register
published our supplemental NPRM (SNPRM), which proposed to revise some
of the actions of the NPRM. The SNPRM proposed clarifying that the
inspection method would be a tap inspection and proposed clarifying the
replacement date range of the applicable abrasion strips to be
inclusive of September 1, 2006 through March 31, 2010.
The NPRM and SNPRM were prompted by Emergency AD No. 2010-0216-E,
dated October 21, 2010 (and corrected October 29, 2010), issued by the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European Union. EASA advises that during
an inspection on a BO105 helicopter, debonding was found on the erosion
protective shell of a main rotor blade, and investigation showed the
debonding was caused by incorrect installation of the erosion
protective shell. In addition, EASA states that an incident occurred
where a second BO105 helicopter lost its erosion protective shell
during hover flight. EASA advises that this condition, if not
corrected, could result in loss of the main rotor blade erosion
protective shell during flight, leading to an unbalanced main rotor and
high vibrations, which could damage the tail boom or tail rotor or
result in loss of tail rotor control and loss of control of the
helicopter.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (76 FR 76068,
December 6, 2011) or the SNPRM (77 FR 75073, December 19, 2012).
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority 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
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 helicopters of these same
type designs and that air safety and the public interest require
adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The differences between this AD and the EASA AD are:
The EASA AD allows compliance within ``10 flight hours, or
4 flight cycles, or 4 weeks, whichever occurs first,'' and this AD
requires compliance within 50 hours TIS.
[[Page 48600]]
The EASA AD allows you to replace the main rotor blade
erosion protective shell if debonding is detected, and this AD requires
you to replace the main rotor blade with an airworthy main rotor blade
if debonding is detected.
The EASA AD is applicable to the Model BO105 D helicopter;
however, this AD does not include this model because it does not have a
type certificate in the U.S.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.
ASB BO105-10-124, dated July 14, 2010, for the Model BO105 helicopter,
with a main rotor blade, part number (P/N) 105-15103, 105-15141, 105-
15141V001, 105-15143, 105-15150, 105-15150V001, 105-15152, 105-81013,
105-87214, 1120-15101, or 1120-15103, where the main rotor blade
erosion protective shell was replaced between September 2006 and March
2010. Eurocopter also issued Emergency ASB No. ASB-BO105LS-10-12, dated
July 14, 2010, for the Model BO105LS A-3 helicopter, with a main rotor
blade, P/N 105-15141, where the main rotor blade erosion protective
shell was replaced between September 2006 and March 2010. Both
Emergency ASBs exclude helicopters from this inspection if each main
rotor blade was inspected at the last 600 flight hour inspection and no
debonding was detected during the inspection. Both Emergency ASBs
specified a one-time inspection of the main rotor blades within the
next 50 flight hours to determine if debonding of the main rotor blade
erosion protective shell has occurred.
Eurocopter subsequently issued Emergency ASB No. ASB BO105-10-124,
Revision 1, dated October 18, 2010, and Emergency ASB No. ASB-BO105LS-
10-12, Revision 1, dated October 20, 2010. These service bulletins
specify the same inspection requirements as the original service
bulletins, but revise the inspection compliance time from 50 flight
hours to 10 flight hours. EASA classified these service bulletins as
mandatory and issued EASA Emergency AD No. 2010-0216-E, dated October
21, 2010 (corrected October 29, 2010), to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these helicopters.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 97 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in
order to comply with this AD. It will take about 1.0 work-hour per
helicopter to perform the inspection at an average labor rate of $85
per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the
inspection on U.S. operators will be $8,245 or $85 per helicopter. If
there is debonding, we estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours to
replace a main rotor blade and required parts will cost $114,182, for a
total cost of $114,352 per blade. We have no way of determining how
many operators will incur replacement costs.
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 helicopters identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.
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):
2013-16-06 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-17544; Docket
No. FAA-2011-1285; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-073-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105LS A-1, BO-
105LS A-3, and BO-105S helicopters, with a main rotor blade, part
number 105-15103, 105-15141, 105-15141V001, 105-15143, 105-15150,
105-15150V001, 105-15152, 105-81013, 105-87214, 1120-15101, or 1120-
15103; where the main rotor blade erosion protective shell (abrasion
strip) was replaced between September 1, 2006 and March 31, 2010,
inclusive; certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as debonding of a main
rotor blade erosion protective shell (abrasion strip). This
condition could result in loss of the abrasion strip and an
unbalanced main rotor, high vibration, damage to the tail boom or
tail rotor, and loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective September 13, 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 50 hours time-in-service, inspect the main rotor
blade for debonding of the erosion protective shell by tap testing
the abrasion strip of the leading edge of each main rotor blade.
(2) If the abrasion strip is debonding in any area, before
further flight, replace the main rotor blade.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate,
FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817)
222-5110; email [email protected].
[[Page 48601]]
(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.
(g) Additional Information
(1) Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB BO105-
10-124, Revision 1, dated October 18, 2010, and No. ASB-BO105LS-10-
12, Revision 1, dated October 20, 2010, which are not incorporated
by reference, contain additional information about the subject of
this AD. For 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. You may review a copy
of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD No. 2010-0216-E, dated October 21,
2010 (corrected October 29, 2010). You may view the EASA AD on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2011-1285.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6210, Main Rotor
Blades.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 31, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-19158 Filed 8-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P