[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 46 (Monday, March 10, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13201-13204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04570]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0554; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-009-AD;
Amendment 39-17774; AD 2014-05-01]
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 EC135P1, EC135P2,
EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters. This AD requires
analyzing the main gearbox (MGB) oil for indications of metal chips or
pieces, reviewing the MGB log or equivalent record, and inspecting
certain teeth in the MGB after two chip indications. This AD was
prompted by a partial tooth rupture found in an MGB that was returned
to the manufacturer for repairs. The actions of this AD are intended to
detect wear in the MGB that could lead to a gear tooth rupture, failure
of the MGB, loss of power to the main rotor, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective April 14, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of April 14, 2014.
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.
[[Page 13202]]
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 European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On July 3, 2013, at 78 FR 40053, 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 Eurocopter Model EC135 P1,
EC135 P2, EC135 P2+, EC135 T1, EC135 T2, and EC135 T2+ helicopters with
an MGB, part number (P/N) 4649 010 003, 4649 010 005, 4649 010 006,
4649 010 006X, 4649 010 008, 4649 010 008X, 4649 001 007, 4649 010 010,
or 4649 010 013 installed. The NPRM proposed to require analyzing the
MGB oil for indications of metal chips or pieces, reviewing the MGB log
or equivalent record, and inspecting certain teeth in the MGB after two
chip indications. The proposed requirements were intended to detect
wear in the MGB that could lead to a gear tooth rupture, failure of the
MGB, loss of power to the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
The Required Actions section of the NPRM had a typographical error
in some references to Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC135-
63A-012, Revision 5, dated September 6, 2011. That error has been
corrected in this AD.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2009-0106R1, dated November 3,
2011, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union. EASA advises that an MGB was returned to
the manufacturer for repair after ``several chip indications.''
According to EASA, a partial tooth rupture was detected after
disassembly of the gearbox and removal of a drive pinion. EASA states
the tooth rupture was determined to have been caused by wear. EASA AD
No. 2009-0106R1 includes requirements and timetables for oil sampling
and analysis; checking the gearbox log card for chip indications; and
corrective measures for chip indications. It also states that a
prescribed modification to the MGB would be terminating action for the
AD.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 40053, July 3,
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
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 except for correcting the
references to Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-63A-012, Revision
5, dated September 6, 2011, in paragraphs (e)(2)(ii)(A), (e)(3),
(e)(4)(i), and (e)(4)(ii). These corrections are consistent with the
intent of the proposals in the NPRM (78 FR 40053, July 3, 2013) and
will not increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the
scope of the AD.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD applies to military EC635 helicopters. This AD does not
apply to EC635 helicopters because they are not type certificated in
the United States.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter issued ASB EC135-63A-012 on August 8, 2007, which was
followed by five revisions, the most recent of which was issued
September 6, 2011. The ASBs prescribe procedures to monitor and detect
wear in time to prevent MGB tooth ruptures in main transmissions for
EC135 and EC635 model helicopters. Revision 5 of the ASB prescribes
procedures for taking and analyzing scheduled oil samples, identifying
and addressing chip indications, and inspecting certain teeth in
gearboxes.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 242 helicopters of U.S. Registry
and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these
estimates, we expect the following costs:
Taking oil samples will take 1 work-hour. Assuming 2
samples per aircraft per year, we estimate a total cost of $170. No
parts are needed, so the total cost for the U.S. fleet is $41,140.
A laboratory analysis of 2 oil samples cost $200 per
helicopter for labor and equipment, for a total fleet cost of $48,400.
Inspecting the oil filter element for a chip requires
about a half-hour of labor for a cost per helicopter of about $43. No
parts are needed.
Inspecting certain teeth in the gearbox, performing a
ground run, and inspecting for leaking oil takes 8 work-hours for a
labor cost of $680. Parts cost $196, for a total cost per helicopter of
$876.
If the oil sample analysis indicates metal chips,
recording the results on the aircraft log card takes a half-hour for a
labor cost of about $43 per helicopter.
The cost of examining the log card for any previously
recorded chip indications is minimal.
Inspecting the chip detector for deposits requires about 5
minutes of labor for a labor cost of about $7.
Replacing the MGB with an airworthy MGB requires 8 work-
hours for a labor cost of $680. Parts cost $145,000 for total cost per
helicopter of $145,680.
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.
[[Page 13203]]
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):
2014-05-01 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter): Amendment 39-
17774; Docket No. FAA-2013-0554; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-009-
AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1,
EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters with a main gearbox (MGB), part
number (P/N) 4649 010 003, 4649 010 005, 4649 010 006, 4649 010
006X, 4649 010 008, 4649 010 008X, 4649 001 007, 4649 010 010, or
4649 010 013 installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a tooth rupture in the
MGB. This condition could result in failure of the MGB, loss of
power to the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective April 14, 2014.
(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 100 hours or 12 months, whichever occurs
first, take an oil sample in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, Part 1, of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-
63A-012, Revision 5, dated September 6, 2011 (ASB EC135-63A-012).
(2) Within 25 hours TIS after taking the oil sample in paragraph
(e)(1) of this AD, analyze the oil sample in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions, Part 2.A. through Part 2.C. of ASB
EC135-63A-012, except that you are not required to contact
Eurocopter.
(i) If the analysis indicates Stage II as specified by the
Accomplishment Instructions, Part 2.B., of ASB EC135-63A-012, within
25 hours TIS, remove and inspect the oil filter element for a chip,
defined as any solid piece of metal but not metallic fuzz or fine
particles.
(A) If there are no chips, clean the oil filter element and chip
detector, inspect the drive stage toothing, perform a ground run,
and inspect for leaking oil in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, Part 4.A through 4.G, of ASB EC135-63A-012. Change the
oil.
(B) If there is a chip, replace the MGB with an airworthy MGB
before further flight.
(ii) If the analysis indicates Stage III as specified by the
Accomplishment Instructions, Part 2.B., of ASB EC135-63A-012 and if
the water content is between 0.1 and 0.5 percent, within 10 hours
TIS, remove and inspect the oil filter element for a chip.
(A) If there are no chips, clean the oil filter element and chip
detector, inspect the drive stage toothing, perform a ground run,
and inspect for leaking oil in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, Part 4.A through 4.G, of ASB EC135-63A-012. Change the
oil.
(B) If there is a chip, replace the MGB with an airworthy MGB
before further flight.
(3) Before the MGB has accumulated 300 hours TIS, determine
whether two or more chip indications have occurred. If two or more
chip indications have occurred, inspect the drive stage toothing,
perform a ground run, and inspect for leaking oil in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions, Part 4.A through 4.G, of ASB EC135-
63A-012.
(4) Any time there is a chip indication, remove and inspect the
chip detector for deposits (fine particles or metallic fuzz) or
chips, and remove and inspect the oil filter element for a chip.
(i) If there are no chips and a minimal amount of particles or
metallic fuzz, corresponding to Figure 5, Stage A of ASB EC135-63A-
012, clean the chip detector and the oil filter element and enter
the chip indication on the MGB log card before further flight.
(ii) If there are no chips and some particles or metallic fuzz,
corresponding to Figure 5, Stage B of ASB EC135-63A-012, clean the
chip detector and the oil filter element and enter the chip
indication on the MGB log card before further flight, and within 10
hours TIS inspect the drive stage toothing, perform a ground run,
and inspect for leaking oil in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, Part 4.A through 4.G, of ASB EC135-63A-012. Perform a
ground run for 15 minutes at the flight-idle power setting, and then
re-inspect the chip detector for a chip, particles, and metallic
fuzz.
(iii) If there is a chip, replace the MGB with an airworthy MGB.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, 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 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. 2009-0106R1, dated November 3, 2011. You
may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
in Docket No. FAA-2013-0554.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320, Main Rotor
Gearbox.
(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 EC135-63A-012, Revision 5,
dated September 6, 2011.
(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.
[[Page 13204]]
(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.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 24, 2014.
Bruce E. Cain,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04570 Filed 3-7-14; 8:45 am]
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