[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67382-67384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26836]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0903; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-043-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
(Previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) (Airbus 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
Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2,
and EC135T2+ helicopters. This proposed AD would require reducing the
life limit of certain parts and removing each part that has reached its
life limit. The proposed actions are intended to reduce the life limits
of certain critical parts to prevent failure of a part and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 12,
2015.
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 European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 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 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:
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
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, issued EASA AD No. 2013-0178, dated August 7, 2013, to
correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD)
(now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1,
EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC635T1, EC635P2+, and EC635T2+ helicopters. EASA
advises that ECD has revised the airworthiness limitations for the
EC135 and EC635
[[Page 67383]]
type design as published in the Master Servicing Manual (MSM) EC135
Chapter 04--Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) documents. Revision
14 of the MSM contains these new airworthiness limitations. EASA states
that failure to comply with these limitations could result in an unsafe
condition. For these reasons, EASA AD No. 2013-0178 requires revising
the ALS to include the new life limits and replacing each part that has
reached its life limit.
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, the 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 is likely
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
The airworthiness limitations and maintenance procedures for
certain parts are contained in the Airworthiness Limitations section,
Chapter 4, of Eurocopter's MSM EC135, dated December 1, 2001. Revision
14 of the MSM, dated July 1, 2012, establishes a life limit for certain
part-numbered main rotor blades and reduces the life limits for
swashplate and mixing lever gear unit parts.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require, before further flight, revising the
ALS of the applicable maintenance manual and the component history card
or equivalent record by reducing the life limit for various parts and
removing from service any part that has reached its life limit.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
This proposed AD does not apply to Airbus Helicopters Model
EC635T1, P2+, or EC635T2+ helicopters because those helicopters are not
type certificated in the U.S.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 267 helicopters of
U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per hour. We
estimate 2 work hours to update the maintenance manual for a total cost
of $170 for each helicopter and $45,390 for the U.S. fleet.
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):
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Previously Eurocopter
Deutschland GmbH): Docket No. FAA-2014-0903; Directorate Identifier
2013-SW-043-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1,
EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a critical
part, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 12, 2015.
(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
Before further flight:
(1) Revise the life limit of each part listed in paragraphs
(e)(1)(i) through (ii) in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of
the applicable maintenance manual and record the revised life limit
on the component history card or equivalent record as follows:
(i) For swashplate parts:
(A) Ring (bearing ring), part number (P/N) L623M2001214, reduce
the life limit from 8,300 hours time-in-service (TIS) to 8,000 hours
TIS.
(B) Ring (control ring), P/N L623M2001213, reduce the life limit
from 8,300 hours TIS to 8,000 hours TIS.
(C) Cardan ring (two-part), P/N L623M2005205, reduce the life
limit from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 hours TIS.
(D) Bolt (control ring), P/N L671M7001215, reduce the life limit
from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 hours TIS.
(E) Bolt (sliding sleeve), P/N L623M2006206 and P/N
L623M2006213, reduce the life limit from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900
hours TIS.
(ii) For mixing lever gear unit parts:
(A) Forked lever assembly, P/N L671M3012102, reduce the life
limit from 9,000 hours TIS to 8,700 hours TIS.
(B) Hinged support, P/N L671M7003210, reduce the life limit from
8,700 hours TIS to 8,400 hours TIS.
(C) Bolt, P/N L671M7001220, reduce the life limit from 8,700
hours TIS to 8,400 hours TIS.
(2) Remove from service any part listed in paragraph (e)(1) of
this AD that has reached or exceeded its newly revised life limit.
[[Page 67384]]
(f) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are limited to a one-time flight to a
maintenance facility to replace a part that has reached its life
limit.
(g) 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 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.
(h) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD 2013-0178, dated August 7, 2013. You may view the
EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No.
FAA-2014-0903.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6300, 2700
Swashplate Ring, Cardan Ring, Bolt, Mixing Lever Gear Unit (flight
controls).
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 28, 2014.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-26836 Filed 11-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P