[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 192 (Friday, October 3, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59697-59699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23588]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0758; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-062-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman)
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
Kaman Model K-1200 helicopters with certain main rotor blades (MRB)
installed. This proposed AD would require inspecting each MRB for a
crack or damage. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that a crack
was found on an MRB during a tear-down inspection. The proposed actions
are intended to detect a crack in the MRB, which could lead to failure
of the MRB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 2,
2014.
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
Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Old Windsor Rd., P.O. Box 2, Bloomfield,
CT 06002-0002; telephone (860) 242-4461; fax (860) 243-7047; or at
http://www.kamanaero.com. You may review a copy 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: Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts
01803; telephone (781) 238-7763; 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
[[Page 59698]]
possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change
this proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
We are proposing to adopt a new AD for Kaman Model K-1200
helicopters with an MRB, part number (P/N) K911001-009, K911001-010,
K911001-109, or K911001-110, installed. We received reports that during
x-ray and teardown inspections with the MRB removed from the
helicopter, cracks are being found in the MRB spar. To detect this
unsafe condition, we are proposing requiring repetitive x-ray and
visual inspections of the MRB for a crack, wood split, void, or
delamination at intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours time-in-service
(TIS). If there is a crack, wood split, void, or delamination, the
proposed AD would require repairing or replacing the MRB before further
flight. The proposed AD would also require that any inspection or
repair procedure performed in compliance with this AD receive prior
approval from the Boston Aircraft Certification Office. The proposed
actions are intended to detect a crack in the MRB, which could lead to
failure of the MRB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
FAA's Determination
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 these same type
designs.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Kaman Maintenance Manual 04-00-00, Continued
Airworthiness, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, which establishes the
airworthiness limitations for the Model K-1200 helicopter. The
airworthiness limitations establish an MRB life limit of 8,000 hours
TIS and also establish a recurring 1,000 hour Rotor Blade Spar
Inspection for each MRB with 3,000 or more hours TIS.
We also reviewed Kaman Maintenance Manual 05-20-06, 1,000 Hour
Rotor Blade Spar Inspection, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, which
specifies returning each MRB to Kaman every 1,000 hours for inspection
after the MRB accumulates 3,000 hours TIS.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require performing repetitive X-Ray and
visual inspections of each wooden MRB for a crack, wood split, void, or
delamination at intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours TIS. If there is a
crack, wood split, void, or delamination, the proposed AD would require
repairing or replacing the MRB before further flight. The inspections
and repairs required by the proposed AD would be accomplished by a
method approved by the Manager of the Boston Aircraft Certification
Office.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 11 helicopters of
U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this proposed AD. At an average labor cost of $85 per
hour, inspecting each matched pair of main rotor blades would require
about 160 work-hours and required parts would cost about $2,000, for a
cost per MRB set of $15,600 and a cost per helicopter of $31,200 per
inspection cycle. If required, repairing a cracked MRB would require
about 335 work-hours and required parts would cost about $15,000, for a
cost per MRB of $43,475. If required, replacing a MRB set would require
about 4 work-hours, and required parts would cost about $495,000, for a
cost per helicopter of $495,340.
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. Amend Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Kaman Aerospace Corporation Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2014-0758;
Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-062-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Kaman Aerospace Incorporated (Kaman) Model K-
1200 helicopters with a main rotor blade (MRB) part number K911001-
009, K911001-010, K911001-109, or K911001-110 installed,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in an MRB, which
could lead to failure of the MRB and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by December 2, 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) Before the MRB reaches 3,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or
within 50 hours TIS,
[[Page 59699]]
whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding
1,000 hours TIS:
(i) X-Ray inspect each MRB between station (STA) 30 and 289 for
a crack, a wood split, a void, and delamination.
(ii) Using a 10x or higher power magnifying glass, inspect each
spar plank between STA 33 and STA 78 for a wood split or a crack,
and inspect each spar plank to plank glueline for a void or
delamination.
(2) If there is a crack, wood split, void, or delamination
within maximum repair damage limits in an MRB, before further
flight, repair the MRB. If there is a crack, wood split, void, or
delamination exceeding maximum repair damage limits in an MRB,
before further flight, replace the MRB with an airworthy MRB.
(3) Each inspection and repair procedure required for compliance
with Paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD must be accomplished by
a method approved by the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO). For a repair method to be approved by the Manager,
Boston ACO, as required by this AD, the Manager's approval letter
must specifically refer to this AD.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)
(1) The Manager, Boston ACO, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD.
Send your proposal to: Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington,
Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7763; 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
Kaman Aerospace Corporation Maintenance Manual 04-00-00,
Continued Airworthiness, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, and
Kaman Aerospace Corporation Maintenance Manual 05-20-06, 1,000 Hour
Rotor Blade Spar Inspection, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013,
which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional
information about the subject of this AD. You may review a copy of
this information at the 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.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6210: Main Rotor
MRB.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 17, 2014.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23588 Filed 10-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P