[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 211 (Thursday, October 31, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65169-65171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25312]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0446; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-007-AD;
Amendment 39-17629; AD 2013-21-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1,
T2, and T2+ helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each linear
transducer bearing (bearing) for freedom of movement and replacing the
bearing if there is binding or rough turning or if there is chafing or
damage on the lower side of the floor. Also, this AD requires modifying
and re-identifying a certain rod. This AD was prompted by an incident
involving limited control of a tail rotor because of the binding of a
bearing. The actions of this AD are intended to detect and replace each
bearing subject to binding, which could lead to subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective December 5, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of December 5,
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's 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 May 23, 2013, at 78 FR 30793, the Federal Register published our
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+,
T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters, with bearing, part number (P/N)
LN9367GE6N2; rod, P/N L671M5040205; lever, P/N L671M5040101; and floor,
P/N L533M1014101, L533M1014102, L533M1014103, L533M1014104,
L533M1014105 or L533M1014106, installed. The NPRM proposed to require,
at specified intervals, inspecting each bearing for freedom of
movement. The NPRM also proposed, before further flight, if there is
binding or rough turning, replacing the bearing or if there is chafing
or damage on the lower side of the floor, replacing the bearing and
repairing the floor, and, thereafter, installing a Teflon strip. The
NPRM also proposed modifying the rod and re-identifying the rod and
lever with a new part number. The requirements were intended to detect
and replace each bearing subject to binding, which could lead to
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2006-0318 R1, dated October 27,
2006, issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to
correct an unsafe condition for all Eurocopter Model EC 135
helicopters. EASA advises of an incident in which impaired control of
an EC 135 tail rotor was detected. EASA states that according to
examinations, the bearing of the linear transducer was subject to
binding, which limited the control range.
FAA's Determination
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 30793,
May 23, 2013).
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
its 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
This AD does not refer to the compliance date of October 31, 2006,
because that date has passed; instead we require compliance within 100
hours time-service (TIS). This AD does not require contacting
Eurocopter customer support. This AD requires modifying each rod within
100 hours TIS, rather than within 800 hours TIS as specified in the
EASA AD.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin EC135-67A-012,
Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006 (ASB), which specifies inspecting
the bearing of the linear transducer for freedom of movement and the
lower side of the floor for chafing or damage. If there is binding, the
ASB specifies replacing the bearing. If there is chafing or damage on
the floor, the ASB specifies replacing the bearing and repairing the
floor. The ASB also specifies modifying and reidentifying a certain
rod. EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and issued EASA AD 2006-0318
R1, dated October 27, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these helicopters.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 214 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 10 work-hours to
inspect the bearing for freedom of movement at an average labor rate of
[[Page 65170]]
$85 per work hour. No parts or materials are required for the
inspection. Based on these estimates, the cost will be $850 per
helicopter or $181,900 for the fleet of all U.S.-registered
helicopters. If necessary, replacing the bearing will require 3
additional work-hours, and parts will cost $50. Repairing the floor
will require 3 additional work hours and minimal cost for materials.
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):
2013-21-05 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-17629; Docket
No. FAA-2013-0446; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-007-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+
helicopters, with bearing, part number (P/N) LN9367GE6N2; rod, P/N
L671M5040205; lever, P/N L671M5040101; and floor, P/N L533M1014101,
L533M1014102, L533M1014103, L533M1014104, L533M1014105 or
L533M1014106, installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as limited control of a
tail rotor because of the binding of a bearing. This condition could
result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective December 5, 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 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 800 hours TIS, inspect each bearing for
freedom of movement by turning and tilting the bearing as depicted
in Figure 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-67A-012,
Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006 (ASB). During any inspection:
(i) If there is binding or rough turning, before further flight,
replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing.
(ii) If there is chafing on the lower side of the floor that
does not extend through the panel outer layer, before further
flight, replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing.
(iii) If there is damage on the lower side of the floor in the
area of the assembly opening that extends through the panel outer
layer (revealing an open honeycomb cell or layer), before further
flight, replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing and repair the
floor.
(2) After performing the actions in (e)(1)(i) through (iii) of
this AD, before further flight, install a Teflon strip and identify
the floor by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs
3.E.(1) through 3.E.(4), of the ASB.
(3) Within 100 hours TIS, modify and re-identify the rod as
depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB and by following the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraphs 3.H.(1) through 3.H.(3)(f), of the ASB.
(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].
(2) For operations conducted under 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
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency AD No. 2006-0318 R1, dated October 27, 2006, which you may
view on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD docket.
(h) Subject
The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6720: Tail
Rotor Control System.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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. EC135-67A-012,
Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006.
(ii) Reserved.
(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://
[[Page 65171]]
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 27, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-25312 Filed 10-30-13; 8:45 am]
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